Predicting the score of PSG vs Bayern Munich in the Champions League

Overview

Paris Saint-Germain was the best team in Europe last season, becoming the first French club to win a historic treble, culminating in their first UEFA Champions League title.

From the outside, it seems like nothing has changed. PSG are still leading the Ligue 1 rankings, and share the top spot in the Champions League group stage with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Arsenal.

But in fact, PSG are still in the early stages of the new season, after facing a series of key injuries. This could be a result of overloaded matches last season, including the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer.

Take the familiar PSG front three as an example. After 11 matches in Ligue 1 this season, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have only made a total of 12 appearances in the starting lineup.

In midfield, stars Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves are only ranked 16th and 19th respectively in the list of players with the most minutes played by PSG this season.

The Paris team's defense is also not really stable. The centre-back duo Marquinhos and vian Pacho have only started two Ligue 1 games together since the start of the season.

Clearly, coach Luis Enrique is making the most of the squad depth, giving the pillars more time to regain their fitness and form before entering the acceleration phase.

PSG are gradually reaching their best state. Last weekend, they fielded their strongest almost team, although it was still necessary for Goncalo Ramos to score in the 94th minute to overcome Nice.

To beat Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich, PSG will certainly have to improve further - both in terms of pace and cohesion in playing style.

Arsenal fans may disagree, but it is hard to deny that Bayern Munich are the most impressive team in Europe at the moment.

They have won all 15 matches in all competitions since the beginning of the season - the longest winning streak of any team in the top 5 European national championships.

Last weekend, despite facing Bayer Leverkusen - a team unbeaten in 37 consecutive away matches in the Bundesliga - Vincent Kompany still boldly gave a series of key players such as Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Luis Diaz and Dayot Upamecano a break. As a result, Bayern still led by 3 goals in the first half.

The Bavarian team is showing overwhelming strength, scoring 34 goals in just 9 Bundesliga matches and conceding only 4.

However, the confrontation with PSG will certainly be their biggest challenge this season. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for Kompany to prove the true strength of the team in his hands.

In fact, PSG is the last team to beat Bayern, having won 2-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals in July. The Paris team's goal came in the 96th minute, when they had only 9 players left on the field.

Bayern are now aiming to win four consecutive Champions League games - something they have not done since opening the 2023-24 season with a similar record. The last time the "Gray Tigers" scored 3 or more goals in 4 consecutive matches was from September to November 2021, under Julian Nagelsmann.

Head-to-head record

PSG have lost all 4 of their most recent matches against Bayern Munich in the Champions League - their longest losing streak against any opponent in the history of the tournament.

Bayern are also the team that has beaten PSG the most in the Champions League, with 8 wins after 14 encounters (losing 6) If they continue to win in the next match, the German representative will become the first team in the history of the Champions League to win 3 consecutive away matches against PSG.

PSG have not scored a single goal in their last four meetings with Bayern in this arena.

Score prediction: PSG 1-1 Bayern Munich