Man City vs. PSG: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

The back-to-back champions take on the Premier League leaders in a blockbuster duel. | Kristian Skeie/UEFA/Getty Images/VisionhausDespite the surrounding circumstances, Manchester City’s Champions League affair with back-to-back winners Paris Saint-Germain is an unmissable occasion.

Despite the surrounding circumstances, Manchester City’s Champions League affair with back-to-back winners Paris Saint-Germain is an unmissable occasion.

All the Cityzens can do, as they await the outcome of their appeal to being found guilty of systematic financial fraud by an independent commission, is knuckle down and go about their work as if there isn’t the darkest of clouds lingering over their heads.

All the Cityzens can do, as they await the outcome of their appeal to being found guilty of systematic financial fraud by an independent commission, is knuckle down and go about their work as if there isn’t the darkest of clouds lingering over their heads.

The situation is utterly bizarre, but the show goes on. Their upcoming opponents PSG are hardly saints either. Back in 2014, they, along with Man City, negotiated with UEFA’s General Secretary at the time, Gianni Infantino, to receive reduced punishments for breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The two clubs got away with slaps on the wrist, yet the debacle was remarkably prescient given what’s come to light.

The situation is utterly bizarre, but the show goes on. Their upcoming opponents PSG are hardly saints either. Back in 2014, they, along with Man City, negotiated with UEFA’s General Secretary at the time, Gianni Infantino, to receive reduced punishments for breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The two clubs got away with slaps on the wrist, yet the debacle was remarkably prescient given what’s come to light.

A strange, almost nefarious alliance has formed between the two clubs, which have been at the forefront of European soccer for the past decade. While Luis Enrique has created a juggernaut in Paris, Man City eventually got their hands on the Champions League to complete a historic treble in 2023.

A strange, almost nefarious alliance has formed between the two clubs, which have been at the forefront of European soccer for the past decade. While Luis Enrique has created a juggernaut in Paris, Man City eventually got their hands on the Champions League to complete a historic treble in 2023.

Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind City’s dominance, is expected to be in attendance on Wednesday night, as he continues to back the club’s hierarchy in their quest to prove City’s innocence.

Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind City’s dominance, is expected to be in attendance on Wednesday night, as he continues to back the club’s hierarchy in their quest to prove City’s innocence.

PSG and Man City last met during the 2024–25 league phase. | Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesWhile the context is hard to dismiss, this should be a belting match between two undeniably superb teams. PSG failed to relinquish their grip on the trophy last season for a reason, and Man City have so far been perfect under Enzo Maresca.

While the context is hard to dismiss, this should be a belting match between two undeniably superb teams. PSG failed to relinquish their grip on the trophy last season for a reason, and Man City have so far been perfect under Enzo Maresca.

Maresca has seemingly added more strings to his coaching bow since arriving in Manchester, with the Cityzens performing with a unique fluidity that we seldom saw from his Chelsea teams. City have been almost impossible to stymie thus far, and they’ll be confident of bypassing a PSG outfit that tends to ease their way into the new season.

Maresca has seemingly added more strings to his coaching bow since arriving in Manchester, with the Cityzens performing with a unique fluidity that we seldom saw from his Chelsea teams. City have been almost impossible to stymie thus far, and they’ll be confident of bypassing a PSG outfit that tends to ease their way into the new season.

The Parisians are sixth in Ligue 1, having won only half of their six matches. They’re yet to hit their stride, but they so often find an extra gear when the lights shine brightest on European nights. Slovan Bratislava were put to the sword on Matchday 1, while Man City eased past Porto.

The Parisians are sixth in Ligue 1, having won only half of their six matches. They’re yet to hit their stride, but they so often find an extra gear when the lights shine brightest on European nights. Slovan Bratislava were put to the sword on Matchday 1, while Man City eased past Porto.

become just the second team to go 10+ consecutive games against English sides in this competition without losing.

become just the second team to go 10+ consecutive games against English sides in this competition without losing.

Maresca is set to have a clean bill of health for PSG’s visit on Wednesday, but that doesn’t mean the Italian won’t tinker with the team that won so impressively at Anfield.

Maresca is set to have a clean bill of health for PSG’s visit on Wednesday, but that doesn’t mean the Italian won’t tinker with the team that won so impressively at Anfield.

Jérémy Doku changed the game off the bench, having recovered from a calf injury, and is likely to come in down the left flank. Phil Foden could also make his first appearance since he was sent off in the Manchester Derby. Foden won’t displace Rayan Cherki, but he could combine with the Frenchman while drifting in from the right.

Jérémy Doku changed the game off the bench, having recovered from a calf injury, and is likely to come in down the left flank. Phil Foden could also make his first appearance since he was sent off in the Manchester Derby. Foden won’t displace Rayan Cherki, but he could combine with the Frenchman while drifting in from the right.

Joško Gvardiol may replace Nico O’Reilly at left back, but other defensive alterations could be saved for the weekend, when Ipswich Town travel up to Manchester.

Joško Gvardiol may replace Nico O’Reilly at left back, but other defensive alterations could be saved for the weekend, when Ipswich Town travel up to Manchester.

Erling Haaland is aiming to become the club’s outright leading goalscorer in this competition on Wednesday; he’s currently level with Sergio Agüero on 36 goals. If he scores twice against the Parisians, he’ll become the seventh-highest scorer in Champions League history.

Erling Haaland is aiming to become the club’s outright leading goalscorer in this competition on Wednesday; he’s currently level with Sergio Agüero on 36 goals. If he scores twice against the Parisians, he’ll become the seventh-highest scorer in Champions League history.

Man City predicted lineup vs. PSG (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Fernández, Anderson; Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.

Man City predicted lineup vs. PSG (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Fernández, Anderson; Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.

Like their hosts, PSG are healthy heading into Wednesday’s game, which only adds to the anticipation.

Like their hosts, PSG are healthy heading into Wednesday’s game, which only adds to the anticipation.

Enrique offered extended breaks to Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes after the three-week international window, and PSG won in their absence at the weekend. Both, however, are ready to return to the PSG team on Wednesday.

Enrique offered extended breaks to Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes after the three-week international window, and PSG won in their absence at the weekend. Both, however, are ready to return to the PSG team on Wednesday.

Désiré Doué’s exploits for France were praised by the manager, so he may get the nod in attack alongside Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Ferran Torres should also feature against his former club.

Désiré Doué’s exploits for France were praised by the manager, so he may get the nod in attack alongside Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Ferran Torres should also feature against his former club.

Senny Mayulu, who picked up an injury on duty with France’s U-21s, is set to be the only absentee.

Senny Mayulu, who picked up an injury on duty with France’s U-21s, is set to be the only absentee.

PSG predicted lineup vs. Man City (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Fabián; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.

PSG predicted lineup vs. Man City (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Fabián; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.

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Published 6 minutes ago | Modified 6 minutes agoJAMES CORMACKJames Cormack is a writer for SI FC. Opting against a football coaching undergraduate degree at the last minute, he instead decided to take on a six-month internship with 90min in 2019 and hasn't looked back. Cormack's current SEO focus means he tends to venture to the land of match previews and predicted lineups, but he also has a wealth of experience in news and feature writing. A passion for soccer's history and the European game often takes his work beyond the familiarity of the Premier League, but it's with Tottenham Hotspur where his strongest allegiance lies.