Leipzig vs PSG Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 15/08/2020, 11:01  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/08/2020 at 12:26 in Champions League Predictions

The first confirmed semi-final of the Champions League season pits Paris Saint-Germain against Red Bull Leipzig. The single-leg tie will be played at a neutral venue (Estadio da Luz) in Portugal with both teams hoping to reach their first UCL final. PSG had to survive a scare against a spirited Atalanta side in the quarter-finals, trailing for much of the match before winning 2-1 with both goals coming after the 90-minute mark. The game demonstrated the squad depth that PSG can call upon as they were able to summon Kylian Mbappe (a € 145 million World Cup winner) off the bench to turn the tide. RB Leipzig outplayed and overcame a defensive Atletico Madrid side in the quarter-finals, another late goal proving the difference in their game, which also finished 2-1. They will face a very different prospect in a PSG team that attacks at will. Neymar is one of the highest-rated players in the competition, according to WhoScored, his 8.48 game average putting him second to Robert Lewandowski. Mbappe has 30 goals in all competitions this season and leads the assists charts with five alongside aforementioned Bayern extraordinary Lewandowski.

Leipzig have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven UCL matches. PSG have kept six clean sheets in nine UCL games this season but Atalanta showed that a high press can rattle the French giants. Given how Atalanta faded in the second half, it seems unlikely that Leipzig will take that approach. Much has been made of the departure of star forward Timo Werner but Leipzig have goalscorers all over the pitch; they have had seven goalscorers in this UCL campaign. Dayot Upamencano had praise heaped upon him for the way he led his defense against Atletico. This game will be a bigger test for him. Leipzig have only kept three clean sheets in nine UCL games but they have looked stronger in the knockout phase. Despite PSG's quality, they have a big history of choking in the latter stages of this competition. If it weren't for a late Atalanta collapse, they wouldn't have made it to this stage.Given the price of Leipzig, we think there is more value in backing the German side to advance.