Borussia Dortmund to win @ 15/8
If one thing became clear in the Champions League in the late 2010s, it was that PSG are arguably the biggest bottlers in the competition’s history. Year after year, the Parisians find a new way to humiliate themselves, much to the delight of fans around the world.
This is why one should have little faith in them getting the job done in Dortmund on Tuesday night. Their past failings have created this almighty mental block that has inhibited them from getting beyond the quarters finals – and the second round in more recent season – despite an embarrassment of riches at their disposal.
Playing in the French league provides no litmus test as to PSG’s current form, but it doesn’t really matter. They always save their absolute worst for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Dortmund have been blowing hot and cold since the return of the Bundesliga after the winter break but have one each of their last three home games convincingly, scoring 14 times and conceding just once. They can take a big step towards the last eight on Tuesday.
Over 3.5 goals @ 11/10
A quick glance at both teams recent form points to a lot of goals in this one.
For starters, Dortmund have proved that they can’t defend. In their last two away games, the Germans have conceded a staggering seven goals and seem to actively help the opposition score.
At the other end though, they have proved to be absolutely lethal. Their aforementioned recent home record of 14 goals from three games has seen goals come from all angles and the arrival of Erling Braut Haaland in January has only bolstered their already significant attacking options. Furthermore, despite conceding seven in their last two away games, Dortmund have managed to score eight in the same games.
For their part, PSG are hardly convincing either. The runaway French league leaders are fresh from a 4-4 draw with Amiens and recently shipped two goals at home to Lyon as well. Like Dortmund, PSG have been irresistible at the other end and have scored 14 in their last three games in all competitions. It would be quite shocking if this game didn’t bring a flurry of goals.
Erling Haaland first goalscorer @ 4/1
The Norwegian’s star has continued to rise since he swapped Salzburg for Dortmund last month. His first foray into German football couldn’t have gone much better and he scooped the Bundesliga Player of the Month Award for January despite playing just 59 minutes. Having said that, he managed to score five times in those 59 minutes.
He has nine goals in six games for Borussia Dortmund so far and shows no signs of slowing down. That’s not to mention that he kicked off his Champions League career in style, scoring a hattrick on debut before going on to score in each of his next four games.
It would not be surprising in the slightest if he marked his Champions League debut with Dortmund in a similar fashion.
Dortmund 15/8, Draw 13/5, PSG 6/5