Champions League Group H is wide open going into matchday 6 with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig all having the chance to go through to the round of 16.
Paris Saint-Germain have the easier of the fixtures on matchday 6 as an up and down Manchester United visit last season’s semifinalists RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena.
A win will send Paris Saint-Germain through to the next round. Anything else and Thomas Tuchel must wait and see.
When these teams met on matchday 2, Paris Saint-Germain escaped Turkey with a 2-0 win thanks to a brace from Everton flop Moise Kean. The scoreline certainly flattered Paris Saint-Germain.
Istanbul Basaksehir should have led early in the game. Their awful finishing allowed Paris Saint-Germain to dodge several bullets on a night when they were poor for much of the game. Kean’s two goals came in the final 26 minutes of the match.
The Turkish team tallied 16 shots with four on target and 46% possession. Although they lost in the end, Istanbul Basaksehir had plenty of chances to get on the scoresheet and cause an upset.
Can they throw a spanner in the works and defeat Paris Saint-Germain on matchday 6? It isn’t likely to occur. Paris Saint-Germain are on a four-game unbeaten run and Neymar is suddenly in form.
Although the Parisians will have one eye on a huge match next weekend in France against Lyon – there is a title fight on in Ligue 1 with five teams within five points of the leaders – Istanbul Basaksehir have nothing to play for.
Tuchel’s team have outscored their last four opponents 9-4. On matchday 5, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Manchester United 3-1 away, putting together their first strong performance in the Champions League this term.
Paris Saint-Germain's Juan Bernat will miss the fixture with a long-term knee injury. Mauro Icardi is out with a groin strain while Pablo Sarabia is nearing a return from a muscle strain. Sarabia’s participation is not confirmed as yet. Julian Draxler is a doubt due to a thigh issue.
Istanbul Basaksehir defender Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo is a doubt due to a muscle strain as is Junior Caicara. Otherwise, the Turks have a clean bill of health.
Paris Saint-Germain should cruise to victory at home. Tuchel won’t take chances on Tuesday night, picking his best team with Neymar, Angel Di Maria, and Kylian Mbappe involved. Expect a win for the Parisians as Istanbul have nothing to play for.