PSG vs Ludogorets
UEFA Champions League – Group A
Date: Tuesday, 6th December 2016.
Kick-off at 19:45 UK.
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris.
The appointment of Unai Emery as Paris Saint-Germain manager was clearly with the intention of improving the fortunes of this cash rich club in European football. Winning the Champions League is the goal so appointing a manager who has dominated the Europa League looked a good idea, although Emery has not really overachieved in domestic competition and Paris Saint-Germain are in for a real fight to retain the French title.
While they have shown some inconsistencies in France, Paris Saint-Germain have produced some very good performances in the Champions League and are on the brink of winning their Group. That will give them a chance to earn a better Second Round tie in the draw next week as Paris Saint-Germain have to at least match the Arsenal result on the same night. The side are unbeaten in 7 home Champions League games and have won 4 of those games.
Paris Saint-Germain had been unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions going into the weekend, but anyone who thinks they have completely turned the corner under Emery would have been stunned by their 3-0 loss at Montpellier. At least this game is at home where Paris Saint-Germain are unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions and they have won 6 of their last 7 here and haven't conceded a goal in any of those games.
Marco Verratti is serving a suspension in this game, while Marquinhos and Tiago Motta may not be risked knowing they are a booking away from a suspension which will be in the Second Round.
Ludogorets Razgrad
Despite being the dominant team in Bulgaria, Ludogorets Razgrad entered the Champions League very much aware of where their club stands at this moment in time. Getting into the Group Stage is as big an achievement as they could have wanted and no one would have expected them to beat out Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain to make it through to the Second Round of the Champions League, but their European adventure may not be over just yet.
That is down to the fact that Ludogorets Razgrad hold the head to head over Basel and will make it through to the Last 32 of the Europa League if they can match whatever score the Swiss Champions get in their game against Arsenal. It is a tough ask for Ludogorets Razgrad knowing Basel are home and they are away, especially as Ludogorets Razgrad have won 1 of their last 13 away Champions League games.
Ludogorets Razgrad are unbeaten in 6 games in all competitions since blowing a 2-0 home lead against Arsenal in what turned out to be a 2-3 loss. They have won all 4 away games played after Ludogorets Razgrad were blitzed by Arsenal in North London in a 6-0 loss and the side have lost 4 of their last 5 away Group games in the Champions League.
There are no new injury concerns for Ludogorets Razgrad ahead of this game.
PSG vs Ludogorets: Head to Head Statistics
The reverse of this fixture was the first meeting between the two sides and also Ludogorets first game against a French side. However, this will be PSG’s 4th game against a Bulgarian side, have won 2 games against a Bulgarian side and lost once. Also PSG have never lost at home against a Bulgarian team, they will hope to keep it going in this game.
PSG vs Ludogorets: Prediction
PSG are strong favourite in this game, having won the first leg hugely on Bulgarian soil. Knowing fully well that they have a head to head advantage against Arsenal, PSG needs the slightest of wins to clinch the top spot.
We expect Unai Emery’s men to win the game with a big score line and possibly keep a clean sheet.
PSG vs Ludogorets: Betting Tips
PSG win to nil at 1.57
Over 2.5 goals at 1.44
