Match Preview

Real Madrid return to Champions League action at the Bernabéu as they take on Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Both clubs are doing very well this season. PSG hold an 8-point lead over Marseille for the top spot in Ligue 1. Real Madrid have also been very good in LaLiga and are tied on points with Barcelona for the league lead.

The last time these two played, back in September, PSG and Di Maria dominated Real 3-0. That was also without both Mbappe and Neymar. PSG are also perfect in the Champions League so far.

This will be a very tough match, but Real Madrid are more than capable of playing a side of this quality and winning. This will be a very good test at home.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid are still without James, Nacho and Marco Asensio. Vinicius has once again been left off the squad list as he also was missing from Saturday’s.

PSG will be without Layvin Kurzawa, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Ander Herrera. Neymar has returned from injury and will feature in this match.

There are no suspensions for either side on Tuesday.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Hazard, Benzema

Ferland Mendy started for Marcelo against Real Sociedad, although Marcelo could likely return to the starting spot against PSG.

Kroos also sat against Sociedad to rest after the international break. He will likely start, which means one of Valverde or Modric will sit. Modric played great and scored a goal on Saturday, but he could still be the odd-man-out.

Bale may get the start against PSG and give Rodrygo the chance to come off the bench and rest after several consecutive starts.

PSG

Navas; Meunier, Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat; Gueye, Marquinhos, Verratti; Mbappe, Neymar, Icardi

Prediction

Real Madrid—PSG 3-2

This will be one Real’s matches this season with quite a bit on the line. PSG are already through to the Round of 16, but Real need to win or hope Club Brugge lose or draw to Galatasaray to qualify on Tuesday.

PSG are very good, and they will have Neymar back from injury. Mbappe hasn’t started a lot during his recovery from injury, but Tuchel said he is ready to start. With Di Maria and Icardi in addition, PSG are a deadly team that will test the Real backline.

Real’s defending has been stellar the past while. They’ve kept several clean sheets and only didn’t against Sociedad because of Ramos’ mistake. This will be a true challenge for them against the Parisians.

This is also a match where Bale may come in crucial if he starts. He looked great when he subbed in on Saturday and made an immediate impact. Needless to say, Real need to be firing on all cylinders if they want to beat a top team and advance to the next stage. of the Champions League.