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The UEFA Champions League is back in action with RB Leipzig set to host PSG at the Red Bull Arena. Both teams played out an enthralling encounter in the reverse fixture which saw the Ligue 1 giants grind out a 3-2 win against the German team.
PSG are top of the Group A table with seven points from three games, while Leipzig remain at rock bottom with no points.
PSG have demonstrated their strength through dominating displays in Europe. Mauricio Pochettino's side are also leading the French top flight by some margin.
Meanwhile, Leipzig are far from their very best post Julian Nagelsmann era. Under the guidance of new coach Jesse Marsch, they are eighth in the Bundesliga and remain without a point in Europe.
Given all of this, let's look at what this game potentially holds for both teams.
CL 2021-22: RB Leipzig vs. PSG predictions
#5 Angel Di Maria to start the game
Argentine star Angel Di Maria missed previous matches in the Champions League due to suspension. But the 33-year old is expected to make his first start in Europe due to key absentees in PSG's lineup and Di Maria's brilliant form.
With the presence of other superstars, Di Maria has gone down the pecking order for the Parisians. Yet the Argentine continues to insist on a starting place with his superb performances. Di Maria assisted one goal and scored another to inspire PSG's 2-1 win against Lille in their previous match.
With Messi, Leandro Paredes and Marco Verratti injured, Pochettino will bank on Di Maria to have an impact.
#4 Christopher Nkunku to find the net
With nine goals and five assists in all competitions, Christopher Nkunku is in explosive form. The sharpshooter is enjoying his career-best start to a campaign and has proven to be decisive for Leipzig in the final third.
The German team has scored six goals in the Champions League with Nkunku scoring four of them. The French forward's outrageous statistics are a testament to his importance and he will again carry Leipzig's hopes against PSG.
Considering Nkunku's efficiency in front of goal, it is likely that he will end up putting the ball into the net.
#3 Kylian Mbappe to outshine his teammates
Kylian Mbappe is one of the best in the business and has enjoyed a terrific start to his campaign with PSG. The French superstar has been in a rich vein of form, racking up six goals and eight assists in all competitions. There is no doubt that Mbappe is PSG's most decisive player at the moment.
Mbappe was pivotal against Leipzig in the reverse fixture, playing a part in PSG's all three goals. The 22-year old scored a stunner and provided an assist to Messi before winning a penalty which resulted in Messi's second goal.
Mbappe is the driving force for the Ligue 1 giants with the ability to change the tie at any moment with his talent.
While Messi and Neymar are yet to reach their full potential this season, PSG's hopes will be with Mbappe to grab the headlines. Our guess is that Mbappe will not disappoint and Leipzig won't be able to contain him.
#2 RB Leipzig's unorganized defense to aid PSG attackers
It seems RB Leipzig are still reeling from the loss of their star defender, Dayot Upamecano, to rivals Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga side are known to play attacking football but their woeful defense has been a point of major concern this season.
Leipzig have conceded a whooping eleven goals from their three Champions League matches this campaign. Manchester City scored six against them while PSG scored three, showing how woeful Leipzig's defenders have been this season.
There is a distinct lack of organization in Leipzig's defense which leaves the forwards to take advantage of it. They are likely to concede goals against PSG unless they show a massive improvement at defending.
#1 PSG to grind another win in a closely contested thriller
PSG have assembled the best squad in Europe which explains their superiority over their opponents so far. The talent pool in their team is massive and their squad depth is unmatched in Europe. With such firepower in their arsenal, it is hard for any team to secure a victory over the Parisians.
Leipzig, on the other hand, are desperate to keep their slim hopes in the Champions League alive with a victory. It will be an uphill battle to register a victory but they will gain confidence from the closely contested affair in the reverse fixture.
Considering the high stakes, it is expected to be an entertaining contest once again between these two teams. Our guess is that PSG will once again perform in a similar fashion and secure a hard-fought victory.
