Arsenal v PSG
Arsenal had a relaxation on the weekend. They may have been disillusioned to observe Liverpool safe the Premier League title on Sunday, however that missed alternative ought to focus minds on the Champions League, their solely hope of silverware this season. They’re unbeaten of their final 12 matches however have gained solely six occasions in that run, and have drawn their final two house video games, towards Brentford and Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta has a number of choice issues in the course of the park. With Thomas Partey suspended and Jorginho injured, Mikel Merino might must anchor the midfield. The Spain worldwide missed the draw towards Palace every week in the past with a minor damage however, like Ben White, he has returned to coaching this week, which is a lift. Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhães are nonetheless out, however Riccardo Calafiori is on observe to make the squad for the primary leg. Even so, Arteta will in all probability proceed with Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back alongside a centre-back partnership of William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior.
Luis Enrique has the posh of choosing from a full squad. The PSG supervisor named a robust crew for the 3-1 loss to Good on Friday – PSG’s first Ligue 1 defeat this season. Enrique should determine which of his attackers to drop, with Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola battling to affix Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the frontline. In any other case, the remainder of the XI picks itself. His midfield trio of João Neves, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz have been spectacular this season and can look to dictate within the center.
PSG have been sensational at occasions on this season’s Champions League – and they’re on an ideal run towards English groups, having knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa in earlier rounds. However they’re additionally inconsistent; PSG have misplaced extra video games within the competitors (5) than the opposite 4 semi-finalists mixed (4). A kind of defeats got here on the Emirates in October, when the groups met within the league part. Arsenal gained comfortably, Havertz and Bukayo Saka scoring in a 2-0 victory. PSG have improved within the knockout rounds however that win in October, and their imperious performances towards Actual Madrid within the quarter-finals, might give Arsenal the psychological edge. Prediction: Arsenal to progress
Barcelona v Inter
Barcelona beat Actual Madrid in the Copa Del Rey ultimate on Saturday to safe the primary trophy of what they hope might be a treble. It was a dramatic and exhausting match that went to further time – there have been even three purple playing cards after the ultimate whistle – so Barcelona should refocus shortly as they gear as much as face a dogged Inter. Hansi Flick’s facet have misplaced only one sport in 2025, and now sit 4 factors away from Actual Madrid in La Liga, in order that they have an ideal probability to jot down their names into the historical past books. A treble in his first marketing campaign in Spain can be an astounding achievement for Flick.
The Germany worldwide goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made the squad for the match towards Actual Madrid – the primary time he has executed so since September, having recovered from a knee damage sooner than anticipated – so is in rivalry to begin. Even with Ter Stegen again within the squad, although, Wojciech Szczesny is prone to hold his place, having shone since popping out of retirement in October.
Marc Bernal, Marc Casado and Alejandro Balde are lacking for Barcelona however the greatest blow is Robert Lewandowski’s damage. Ferran Torres will in all probability lead the cost, with Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Raphinha in help of the Spain worldwide. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong each got here off in Saturday’s cup ultimate win over Actual Madrid however they’re anticipated to be obtainable.
Simone Inzaghi takes his males to Barcelona on a poor run of kind. Inter forfeited high spot in Serie A on Sunday as they fell to a 1-0 house defeat by Roma, a loss that extends their winless run to 4, throughout which in addition they misplaced to Milan within the Coppa Italia to sprint their very own treble hopes. Their defeat by Claudio Ranieri’s facet on Sunday additionally got here at a price; Benjamin Pavard got here off within the first half with an ankle sprain, so Inzaghi should determine whether or not to begin Yann Bisseck or Stefan de Vrij alongside Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni in his favoured three-man backline.
Marcus Thuram, although, is anticipated to recuperate for the match in Spain. The Frenchman hasn’t featured since the 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich earlier this month owing to a muscle grievance and, whereas he’s unlikely to begin, Inter will hope he’s match sufficient to make the squad. Mehdi Taremi could also be given the nod forward of Marko Arnautovic to accomplice captain Lautaro Martínez on the frontline.
In any other case Inter have a match squad. Federico Dimarco has been the Nerazzurri’s first-choice left wing-back within the league, whereas Carlos Augusto has been most well-liked within the Champions League, and the Brazilian is anticipated to begin once more. On the alternative flank, the fit-again Denzel Dumfries ought to reclaim his place to make his first begin because the 2-0 win at Atalanta, having returned to motion from the bench on the weekend. Prediction: Barcelona to progress
That is an article by WhoScored
Supply hyperlink
