European Preview: Barcelona and PSG to take maximum points

There is plenty of European flavour next week with the Champions League and Europa League to look forward to, but before that we preview two fixtures from across Europe this weekend.

Paris Saint Germain v Montpellier

PSG are unbeaten in seven league games already this season and welcome Montpellier to the Parc des Princes on Saturday.

The Paris side hold a commanding advantage based on their recent head-to-head record, with them winning five of the last six meetings between the sides in Ligue 1. In those six games they have scored an eye-watering 22 goals to Montpellier’s six in reply.

That all suggests Mauricio Pochettino’s side should cruise to an easy victory here and they are heavy favourites at 1/5 to do so.

A leaky Montpellier defence, that has conceded 13 times in seven games so far this season might be just what Lionel Messi needs to open his goal scoring account for PSG, and he is 4/7 to score at anytime.

Montpellier’s last win against a PSG side that have won the championship seven times in the last eight seasons, came in April 2019. Last season, they held their rivals to a pulsating 2-2 draw in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, before eventually going down 5-6 on penalties.

They will be hoping for a similar performance and are priced at 6/1 to share the spoils, with their chance of taking all three points an unlikely looking 12/1. Would you like to work out your potential winnings? Try our online betting calculator.

Barcelona v Levante

Barcelona continue to struggle for form, after scoring only eight goals in five games in the league this season. However, despite their struggles the visit of 16th placed Levante looks a golden opportunity for them to take three points.

The last six meetings between the sides in the league have produced four Barcelona wins, one Levante win and a draw. Barcelona have outscored their opposition by 13 goals to 7, which gives hope they can find their scoring form on Sunday.

Under fire manager Ronald Koeman needs to secure a much-needed win and that looks likely at odds of 4/9.

However, so far in the league Barcelona have struggled creatively, as they did on Thursday as they played out a goalless draw with Cadiz, managing only two shots on target despite having 68 percent of possession throughout the game.

That gives Levante some hope that they may be able to shut Barcelona out and nick a draw, which is available at odds of 4/1.

Despite Barcelona’s troubles, a Levante win still seems unlikely, as they have never won in 15 attempts in the Nou Camp, conceding 49 times and scoring just nine goals. It’s 11/2 about them breaking that duck.

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