Man City vs Paris Saint-Germain Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Trystan Pugh ·
European champions Paris Saint-Germain travel to the Etihad to face a Man City side who are playing in highly unusual circumstances right now.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Man City preview: Backs against the wall
A lot has happened since Man City won 0-2 at Porto on Matchday 1, with a dark cloud now hanging over the club following the well-publicised and damning verdict (subject to appeal) regarding their off-the-field finances.
In their first match since that came to light though, they won 0-3 against Liverpool on Sunday, with the City players thriving in hostile conditions at Anfield.
Paris Saint-Germain preview: Finding their groove
Paris Saint-Germain were a little sluggish in the early weeks of the season but they are starting to pick things up now, following their 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava on Matchday 1 with three straight Ligue 1 triumphs.
The back-to-back European champions now face Man City and Barcelona in back-to-back Champions League fixtures as they look to stamp their authority on this season's competition.
Man City team news: No issues
Enzo Maresca has a full squad available to him as he welcomes the European champions to the Etihad.
Josko Gvardiol seems likely to come back into the starting XI after a benching against Liverpool, while Jeremy Doku is pushing for a start at left wing.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Paris Saint-Germain team news: Close to full health
Congolese midfielder Senny Mayulu is the only injury absentee in Luis Enrique's camp, so you would expect the likes of Nuno Mendes, Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele to return to the starting line-up after bench roles on Saturday.
After some strong goalscoring form of late, not least a hat-trick on Matchday 1, Ferran Torres will be hoping for another start but a bench role seems more likely.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Unavailable: Mayulu (Injured)
Questionable:
Who do you think will win?
Open poll and resultsMan City vs Paris Saint-Germain prediction
This is one of the tastier league phase fixtures in the early stages of the campaign, especially given the context of what is going on at Man City right now.
With all the scrutiny on them, Maresca's side seemed galvanised against Liverpool at the weekend, but it remains to be seen if that will last as off-the-field matters continue to dominate the headlines.
Paris Saint-Germain, for their part, appear to be growing into the campaign and will be looking to deliver a statement performance here against top Premier League opposition.
It's hard to imagine this being a low-scoring affair, so over 2.5 goals is the tip at the Etihad.
Man City vs Paris Saint-Germain Tip: Over 2.5 goals
