Team News
PSG
- Sergio Ramos and Neymar will both return from domestic suspensions for PSG’s visit to Maccabi Haifa, but yellow-card magnet After three bookings in the tournament, Marco Verratti will serve his own ban this week.
- Presnel Kimpembe has been back in training for over a month after suffering a hamstring injury and could force his way onto the bench, while Nuno Mendes is also set to return this weekend, but Danilo Pereira is still out with a hamstring injury.
- With Ramos back and Verratti out, Galtier appears to be returning to a back three, with Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz likely to partner up in the middle and Neymar rejoining Messi and Mbappe up front.
Maccabi Haifa
- Right-winger Suf Podgoreanu is one of three injury concerns for Bakhar, as the 20-year-old is still recovering from an Achilles injury.
- Dolev Haziza’s hamstring problem is also bothering him, and Mahmoud Jaber is out with a fractured femur, but Bakhar was always expected to stick with the lineup that stunned Juventus on matchday four.
- Tjaronn Chery will join two-goal hero Atzili in the final third, having scored in September’s involvement with PSG and having 13 direct shot involvements in the tournament so far, second only to Robert Lewandowski’s 16.
Possible Lineup
Paris Saint-Germain: Messi; Mbappe, Neymar; Donnarumma; Mukiele, Marquinhos, Ramos; Hakimi, Vitinha, Ruiz, Bernat; Messi; Mbappe, Neymar
Maccabi Haifa: Cohen; Sundgren, Batubinsika, Goldberg, Cornud; Mohamed, Lavi; Atzili, Chery, David; Pierrot
Prediction Analysis
PSG will be aware of the dangers that Atzili and Chery can pose when given time and space on the ball, having conceded first to Maccabi Haifa before turning the game around and winning 3-1 last month, as any team that defeats Juventus. in such a manner commands plenty of respect.
A rested Ramos, on the other hand, is an invaluable addition, and the return of Neymar also bodes well for Galtier and co. The Israeli champions can afford to play with the handbrake off and create an exciting battle, but PSG should have too much at home as the knockout rounds begin.
Our prediction is PSG 3-1 Maccabi Haifa