PSG Must Respond Against Crvena Zvezda

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The Champions League is back in full swing and this week sees the second round of group matches.  Group C was always going to be one to watch following the draw and there is all to play for as we enter match day two.

With Liverpool, Napoli, PSG and Crvena Zvezda completing the group, we could be in for a tight finish and winning home games is a must for those who want to qualify.  On Wednesday night, PSG welcome Crvena Zvezda to the Parc des Princes in a match the hosts need to win.

PSG started their Champions league campaign with a 3-2 defeat at Liverpool. While losing the game is nothing to be ashamed about it was the level of performance and application which left many people disappointed.  PSG never looked capable of winning the match and the work rate of the front three was brought into question.

However, PSG have had little problem in Ligue 1 and they have won each of their eight league games this season to sit 8 points clear at the top of the table.  It will soon get to the stage where they can forget about the league and focus only on the Champions League.

Trends show PSG have struggled in recent Champions league games, losing each of their last four although only one of them was on home soil and it was against Real Madrid.  PSG have scored 2 or more goals in six of their last nine Champions League matches and have netted 3 times or more in four of their last five on home soil.

Crvena Zvezda were delighted to seal their place in the Champions league group stages this season having come through the qualifying rounds. They started their journey in July and played their way through four ties, which is eight matches in total, without losing a game.  Crvena Zvezda kept that run going when they held Napoli to a 0-0 draw at home on match day one.

Crvena Zvezda are undefeated this season but this will be by far their toughest match to date.  Much like PSG, they are dominating their domestic league, sitting 7 points clear at the top having played ten games.

Crvena Zvezda have been good defensively and trends show they have kept a clean sheet in six of their last nine Champions league games but they have won just one of their last six matches in the competition.

Team news and PSG are without the injured duo of Dani Alves and Layvin Kurzawa in the full-back positions.  Gianluigi Buffon is suspended and Thomas Meunier, Lass Diarra, Colin Dagba, Julian Draxler are doubtful.

Crvena Zvezda are without Nikola Stojiljkovic, who is injured and they also have doubts over the fitness of central defender Vujadin Savic.

Despite boasting an unbeaten record this season, Crvena Zvezda are very much up against it in this match. Expect PSG to win the game comfortably and if they score an early goal, we could see 3 or 4 goals scored by the home team in this match.