Barcelona Visits Saint-Germain

The third round of the unified group stage of the UEFA Champions League features a heavyweight clash between what are likely the two best teams in Europe at present: French titleholders Paris Saint-Germain and Spanish side Barcelona, today. After a somewhat shaky start to the season, PSG, champions of the past two campaigns, have begun to regain their rhythm. Their 3-1 victory over Strasbourg on Saturday, after trailing in the scoreline, marked their sixth consecutive win across all competitions. Once again, their Spanish manager Luis Enrique rested several key players. None of these victories were more impressive than the 4-2 win over English side Manchester City in the second round, which extended their unbeaten run in the Champions League to 12 matches (eight wins and four draws), bringing them within one game of their record set in 2013.

PSG top the unified group and appear poised to write a new chapter in their history. They have won their last four home matches in the competition, scoring at least five goals in three of them.

For their part, Barcelona have won all 11 of their matches this season after thrashing Real Betis 5-2 on Saturday, matching a record by scoring at least three goals in nine consecutive games. Barcelona also set a new Champions League record by scoring four or more goals in four consecutive group stage or league phase matches. However, the Catalan club is enduring a record streak of 17 consecutive matches without keeping a clean sheet in the competition, putting their unbeaten away record in their last four European games (three wins and a draw) under threat in this encounter.

The two teams have shared the results of their previous 16 meetings evenly, with six wins each and four draws. After winning their last two encounters, PSG aim to become the second team in the competition’s history to defeat Barcelona in three consecutive matches. However, the Parisian club has won only once in their last four home matches against Barcelona (one draw and two losses).

Following two big away victories, Anfield will host another fiery European evening as Liverpool welcome visitors Villarreal, who are also enjoying a surge in form. Liverpool have regained their balance well after a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League, beating Austrian hosts LASK 6-3 in Europe and Brentford 2-1 domestically. Those two Champions League victories raised their tally to 19 wins in their last 22 matches (against three defeats).

Villarreal entered their last match against Italian side Napoli after suffering seven consecutive Champions League defeats. Yet the team staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a deficit to win 3-1. Manchester City have a chance to regain their footing after their painful 4-2 loss to PSG in the previous round, as they host Greek side AEK Athens today.