PSG vs Brest Predictions

• Both teams have scored in six of PSG’s last seven home games
• Both teams have scored in six of the last seven head-to-head meetings of the clubs
• PSG have won 18 of the last 19 meetings of these clubs
• PSG are likely to rotate a few key starters in and out after establishing a 3-0 lead in Brest

Balancing act for PSG against Brest

Paris Saint-Germain must guard against complacency while attempting to rest a few key players in the second leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff tie against Brest on Wednesday.

The Parisians continued an incredible sequence of results against the Pirates by winning 3-0 at Brest’s temporary European home of Guingamp last week. That was their 18th victory in the last 19 meetings of the clubs and all but secured their place in the last-16.

Ousmane Dembele continued his rich vein of form in front of goal against Brest by scoring two of their three goals on the night, but Brest were twice denied a goal of their own by the woodwork.  Eric Roy’s side will try everything in their power to rescue the tie at the Parc des Princes, but logic says they will fall short because of PSG’s superior quality and squad depth.

Pirates can plunder a goal in Paris

Luis Enrique made a handful of changes on Saturday, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma in Paris while Marquinhos, Dembele, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Joao Neves all began on the bench in Toulouse. They ground out a 1-0 win thanks to Fabian Ruiz’s goal against a home side that parked the bus from the first minute.

This game is likely to be very different with many of those rested stars returning and Ruiz, who is one yellow card away from a suspension, among those who will potentially drop out. Brest came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with fellow mid-table side Auxerre on Friday after resting at least four of their best players for this week’s return leg.

Backing both teams to score on Wednesday looks a far better option than any positive PSG bet at the hosts’ prohibitive odds. You would have to take them to cover a -2 handicap to get anything close to the same return as a BTTS bet and PSG have not beaten Brest by more than two goals in any of their last five home meetings. Brest, meanwhile, have scored on their last three visits to the Parc des Princes.