The UEFA Champions League group stages kick off tomorrow night, and there is one matchup in particular, Paris Saint-Germain at home versus Juventus, which truly stands out. It’s the only big club versus big club on the docket for group stage match day 1.
In other words, it’s gonna be huge, so let’s dive right in and preview this bad boy.
Juventus at Paris Saint-Germain Champions League Group Stage FYIs
Kick: Tue, Sept. 6, 8pm, Parc de Princes
Competition: Group F, Match Day 1 of 6
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Google Result Probability: Paris Saint-Germain 72% Celtic 18% Draw 22%
After Extra Time Pod: Spotify Apple
Team News for Both Sides
For the favored Les Parisiens, Timothee Pembele has been ruled out due to injury. Meanwhile Vitinha and Pablo Sarabia are doubts.
Switching over to Juve, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Federico Chiesa, Wojciech Szczesny, Marley Ake, Kaio Jorge are all expected to miss out due to injury. Meanwhile Argentine midfielder Angel di Maria is a doubt to face his former club here.
Starting XI Predictions
Paris Saint-Germain
Navas; Ramos, Marquinhos, Kimpembe; Hakimi, Sanches, Verratti, Bernat; Messi, Mbappe, Neymar
Juventus
Perin; Danilo, Bonucci, Bremer, Sandro; Locatelli, Paredes, McKennie; Cuadrado, Vlahovic, Kostic
Prediction: PSG 2, Juventus 1
One of the world’s most expensive teams, playing at home, should hold serve in this one.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast, part of Edge of the Crowd Network. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.