Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain, Round of 16 1st Leg, RTE2 & BT Sport 2, 8pm

Mr.Nice Guy

1st Leg Match Odds

Man Utd 6/5
Draw 12/5
PSG 11/5

It's the kind of match the Champions League is made for as these two sides meet in a competitive fixture for the first time.

When the draw was made United were on their knees domestically, Pogba was struggling to get off the bench, and the team looked like they'd struggle to score in Coppers; PSG meanwhile had just finished top of the toughest Champions League group and were confident of success on all fronts.

Since then Solskjaer's arrival has seen United claw their way back into the top four, seen Pogba emerge as one of Europe's most in-form midfielders, and the team scoring goals and playing attractive football; PSG on the other hand have lost talismanic figures Neymar and Cavani to injury, plus RB Thomas Meunier, and midfielder Rabiot has expressed the desire to leave and been frozen out of the squad. As well as that, they were knocked out of the French League Cup by bottom club Guingamp and recently lost their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to Lyon.

While the momentum seems to be with United, the defence still looks suspect and De Gea's heroics have helped smooth over the cracks. And while PSG have lost some oomph in their attack, Mbappe, Di Maria and Draxler are attacking weapons worthy of any side.

It promises to be a cracking occasion. Two of the brightest young attacking players around in Mbappe and Rashford, United's French stars Pogba and Martial aiming to take out their country's best hope of a Champions League win, former United player Di Maria looking to prove a point on his return, and two coaches whose future at their respective clubs in many ways hinges on this tie.

I reckon the first leg could be quite scrappy and cagey. I think we might have to wait until the second leg for it to truly open up. A lot of talk has been about the PSG attack but I think it's their midfield that will worry Tuchel most with Verratti only just back at the weekend with an hour under his belt. As a result, I think Pogba will be the key man. Expecting a solid showing from Matic as well. Also looking forward to Rashford against Thiago Silva as the defender's having a good season. Draxler is another who is going under the radar a bit; I think he's been an underrated performer for PSG and I fancy he'll step up with Neymar and Cavani absent.

I'll say 2-1 to United on the night with it all to play for going into the second leg.

What way do you see tonight going?

Liam McPoyle

Could go any way.

Once everyone has a nice time thats the main thing.

GSPfan

Genuinely have been trying to distract myself all day from thinking about it. To go into a match like this not fearing the worst is something I haven’t felt since the Fergie days.

We could win or lose but at least we’ll give it a good go. Going to go for a 2-1 United win. That won’t be a great scoreline to win the tie but a win would be a fine result regardless.

NIMAN

Thats a very good price for Utd at home.

Mantis Toboggan

PSG are a serious outfit but I wouldn't rule United out, fancy them for the draw.

Our defence tends to give up more chances for the other team while our attack has waned just a little bit in the past 2-3 games compared to the first five under OGS. I'd hope for a 4-1 but feel a 2-2 is on the cards with the talent PSG have despite their injuries. Could really go either way.

The Good Ole Boys

Should be a great game of football. Two free-flowing teams in great form. Looking forward to this as a neutral.

Shanotheslayer

NIMAN wrote: »

Thats a very good price for Utd at home.

It's not really

magma69

United really should be winning this one handily. Fancy them to win comfortably tonight. 4-1.

Agent Coulson

With the injury crisis PSG are in and Man U being the most inform team in Europe over the last 10 games it will be an easy home win.

RasTa

6/5 is a good price at home to PSG? Go away out of that, 4/1 is a good price

Mr.Nice Guy

Team news:

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Young, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw; Herrera, Matic, Pogba; Lingard, Rashford, Martial.

PSG XI: Buffon; Kehrer, Thiago Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat; Marquinhos, Verratti; Dani Alves, Draxler, Di Maria; Mbappe.

No great surprise in either team. Buffon gets the nod over Areola.

Let's go!

Harry Palmr

PSG are a powder puff side, winning Ligue 1 wearing slippers and smoking jacket is no way to prepare for the knockout stages of the CL.

ziggyman17

a fullback and center back in midfield for PSG, they are there for the taking..

Mr.Nice Guy

Peter Collins on commentary? Has George been demoted?

Drumpot

The best bet for me is 7/10 both teams to score. 2/1 peno anytime is also a decent bet.

I don’t know what to expect TBH.

ShamoBuc

PSG without Cavani and Neymar, think this is a very good chance for utd tonight. Given their form, I'd fancy them tonight. Defence holding Di Maria and Mbappe will be key of course.

Unearthly

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Peter Collins on commentary? Has George been demoted?

George has been a shambles mixing up players for years now. Great commentator in his day but needs to be replaced

Mr.Nice Guy

Unearthly wrote: »

George has been a shambles mixing up players for years now. Great commentator in his day but needs to be replaced

Agreed, but never thought they'd actually do it.

ShooterSF

Jeez I wish I was as confident as some in here, Nerves wrecked....

Harry Palmr

Hamilton has not only been mixing up players he seems to be permanently behind the action.

Mr.Nice Guy

Loved Duff as a player but he is a really awful pundit.

Mr.Nice Guy

Well, turns out George is on commentary after all.

Mr.Nice Guy

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Loved Duff as a player but he is a really awful pundit.

Does he and Scholes ever end up on the same panel? That would be hard going.

The Talking Bread

Lingard is an intriguing player to watch when United attack through the middle with his runs, very intelligent player for a guy who gives an image of a clown at times!

Utopia Parkway

PSG fans making a fair old noise to be fair to them.

facehugger99

PSG so much nicer to watch without that arse Neymar.

Shanotheslayer

Has Mbappe touched the ball?

Mr.Nice Guy

Nice move there involving Pogba. Buffon looking a bit shaky early on.

UrbanFret

Hamilton almost jizzed himself there. For what? Pogba breaking out of canter.

Agent Coulson

There is no need for Man U players to be doing a hatch job on the PSG players did they not learn anything at all from the Liverpool games against PSG.

Mr.Nice Guy

Pogba needs to watch himself given he's on a yellow card ffs.

ricero

Far too much respect given to PSG from Utd

Fromvert

Someone's getting sent off at the rate this ref is throwing out yellows.

Agent Coulson

Two feet studs up Pogba lucky this ref didn't give him a second yellow.

The Talking Bread

5 yellows so far!!

Mushy

Kimpembe lucky not to be off. RTE commentators are idiots

This will flare up now

Harry Palmr

The ref is going to decide this tie if the players let him.

Harry Palmr

PSG edging ever closer with good counter attacks

Strumms

This referee is quite erratic. Some challenges that are cast iron yellows getting overlooked yet some standard fouls and he cant get his hand in his pocket quick enough.

Good start by United but Paris now gaining a foothold and playing well.

Esse85

Linesman has a neck on him like a giraffe.

Mr.Nice Guy

Martial coming off. He's been pretty quiet. Alexis magic needed.

Mushy

That's dirty by Young

Harry Palmr

Young is a sneaky player. Should be off

Utopia Parkway

Young knew what he was doing there. Wonder will the ref bottle it or not?

citytillidie

Young should be off for that

Beechwoodspark

Jim Beglin.

Just why?

The Talking Bread

This ref is barmy!!

Agent Coulson

Nasty from Young.

No surprise from that Young would be nasty though.

happyoutscan

Cowardly act.

Get in Young