Parish Saints Germain’s and Read Madrid sit top of their respective domestic league and are among the favourites to win the whole tournament.so there promises to be a whole lot of excitement on show. That’s before you even consider the transfer narrative surrounding Mbappe.
The 23-year-old is in the final six months of his PSG contract and is expected to wait until this tie is over before making his decision on whether to stay put or jump ship to Real.
So both teams will be keen to use this as an audition to prove to Mbappe that he should be playing for them.
Also Read: Tuesday’s Transfer Gossip: Pogba, Broja, Wilshere, Rudiger, Carlos, Nkunku
PSG team news
Neymar has been back in training after overcoming a nasty ankle injury,
but the chances of him starting this one are very slim, given he has not played competitively since November.
Expect minutes off the bench.
A thigh injury could keep Ander Herrera out, while Sergio Ramos will be denied the chance to face his former employers because of a calf problem.
Idrissa Gueye is back and available after his heroics with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations,
but Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed he will not start.
Real Madrid team news
Carlo Ancelotti is sweating over the fitness of Karim Benzema, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury.
He is part of the travelling squad but had not trained with the team before landing in Paris and will face the latest of late fitness tests.
Currently, the feeling is positive.
Left-back Ferland Mendy has been passed fit and could return to the starting lineup in place of Marcelo,
who struggled greatly last time out against Villarreal’s Samu Chukwueze.
PSG vs Real Madrid score prediction
So much of this hinges on the fitness of Benzema.
Without him, Real have looked a little toothless in attack,
which is to be expected when you lose your Ballon d’Or contender. Ancelotti needs him.
If Benzema makes it back, Real will fancy themselves here.
PSG have obvious star power but still look a little disjointed under Pochettino,
although things are slowly starting to trend upwards. Real, on the other hand, are a true unit.
With the Frenchman at the top of their team, Real could get the job done. Without him, it’s anyone’s guess.
Prediction: PSG 1-2 Real Madrid
