Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Women’s Champions League clash between Paris Saint-Germain Women and Manchester United Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Manchester United Women will travel to the French capital for the second leg of their Women’s Champions League qualifying clash with Paris Saint-Germain Women.
The tie remains on knife-edge ahead of Wednesday’s contest after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Leigh Sports Village last week.
Match preview
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Having reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in each of the last five seasons, PSG are favourites to advance from the qualifying tie, especially with home advantage in their favour for the second leg.
The Parisians would have been content with the first-leg result despite giving up the lead after Tabita Chawinga had opened the scoring in the 54th minute.
PSG were back in action at the weekend for a home league fixture against Reims, but they were unable to complete the contest due to fireworks being launched onto the pitch from outside the stadium. The decision was made to abandon Saturday’s contest, which was goalless before the match was stopped in the 46th minute.
Jocelyn Precheur’s side will now refocus for their midweek European clash, where they will look to end their four-game winless run in European fixtures.
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In contrast to their hosts, Man United are competing in their first-ever Women’s Champions League campaign after finishing in second place in the Women’s Super League last season.
The Red Devils looked to be heading to defeat in their maiden European outing, before Melvine Malard came off the bench to cancel out Chawinga’s opener, ensuring the English side will travel to Paris on level terms.
They were involved in another 1-1 draw in Sunday’s home meeting with Leicester City, which would have frustrated Man United boss Marc Skinner.
Although they have avoided defeat in all four games this season, the Red Devils have now played out three consecutive draws in all competitions.
After conceding the first goal in each of their opening four matches, Man United will be determined to make a positive start to Wednesday’s encounter.
Paris Saint-Germain Women Women’s Champions League form:
Paris Saint-Germain Women form (all competitions):
Manchester United Women Women’s Champions League form:
Manchester United Women form (all competitions):
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Team News
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The hosts are still unable to call upon the services of Poland international Paulina Dudek, who is a long-term injury absentee.
PSG are also expected to be without Oriane Jean-Francois after she was forced off in the 17th minute of the first leg against Man United.
Marie Antoinette-Katoto made her first start since recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Saturday’s abandoned game against Reims, but the forward may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Chawinga set to lead the line on Wednesday.
As for the visitors, they have received a significant setback following the news that summer signing Gabby George sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Sunday’s draw with Leicester.
Emma Watson remains sidelined with the same injury as George, while Aoife Mannion is still out of action with a quad issue.
After seemingly being rested at the weekend, Brazil international Geyse will return to the squad for Wednesday’s trip to Paris.
Paris Saint-Germain Women possible starting lineup:Picaud; Le Guilly, Samoura, De Almeida, Karchaoui; Geyoro, Albert, Groenen; Baltimore, Martens, Chawinga
Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:Earps; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Geyse, Toone, Galton; Garcia
We say: Paris Saint-Germain Women 2-1 Manchester United Women
Man United will be desperate to reach the group stage in their first-ever Women’s Champions League campaign, but we think they could be edged out by a PSG side who have home advantage in their favour and can also draw upon a wealth of European experience. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data
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