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Barcelona welcome compatriot Paris Saint-Germain to Camp Nou for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday. Neymar won’t fit for PSG after Brazilian superstar injured his leg last week, which means Kylian Mbappe will be at the center of Parisians. Neymar’s injury also calls into question his status in the second leg. Lionel Messi and Barcelona enter the game in full form in La Liga, however, having scored five times last weekend. Barca are the favorites to enter the game, while both sides have delivered disappointing and inconsistent performances throughout the season so far.
All Champions League games are broadcast on CBS All Access. Here’s how to watch Barcelona vs PSG and what you need to know:
Information display
Dated: Tuesday February 16 | Time3 p.m. ET
Location: Camp Nou – Barcelona, Spain
TV: CBS Sports Network | Direct: CBS All Access
Chances: Barca -113; Null +280; PSG +290 (via William Hill Sportsbook)
Live Updates: Barcelona vs. PSG
Fancy more Champions League coverage? The Que Golazo podcast has you covered with a preview show bringing you everything you need to know at the start of the Round of 16. Listen below:
Storylines
Barcelona: Which Barca will we have, the one who plays well in La Liga or the one who struggles in the cups? The team’s recent cup performances have been disappointing to say the least. Barca just lost to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, needed more time to beat Granada in the quarterfinals, they lost the Spanish Super Cup final and their last UCL match was was the 3-0 defeat against Juventus to lose the group. This team have been absolutely poor when it matters most, and while most seasons they seem like a contender, they certainly aren’t this season. A lack of quality in the attack alongside Messi, combined with a leaky defense, means he could turn ugly. They have to be at their best to win this first step.
PSG: Mauricio Pochettino is making his competitive debut with the club after replacing Thomas Tuchel, and it comes after a disturbing performance against Nice. PSG beat them 2-1 on Saturday, but the defense was far from clear. Marquinhos gave Nice a terrible mistake on goal, and their ability to close quickly in the middle was not clear. But Marco Verratti will be available for this match, giving PSG a much needed boost in the middle. If PSG can keep the pressure on Messi and keep his form on the counter, they will be well installed.
Prediction
Barca get goals from Messi, but the weakness of the back line gives PSG enough chances to finish the first leg as favorites to move on. Take: Barca 2, PSG 2
So who should you come back to in the UEFA Champions League game between Barcelona and PSG? And where is all the value of the bets? Visit SportsLine now to see this week’s best bets for the UEFA Champions League, all from the European football insider who has generated over $ 16,900 for every $ 100 from punters since the 2017-18 season!
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