PSG and Girona open their Champions League campaigns on Wednesday night in their match day 1 fixture at the Parc des Princes.
The French club has gotten off to a great start this season even after the departure of its star strikers in the summer.
Meanwhile, the Spanish side makes its debut in the UCL after finishing in third in La Liga last season.
This stadium has been a fortress in recent years of this competition, and I believe this will be another win for the home side.
On the moneyline, PSG are a hefty -350 favorite, while Girona are +850. In terms of a draw, it is listed at +490.
For the over/under, the total is 2.5, with the over a strong -225 and the under a significant underdog at +175.
PSG vs. Girona Odds, Picks, Prediction
| PSG Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-0.5 -350 | 2.5 -225o / +175u | -350 |
| Girona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+0.5 +280 | 2.5 -225o / +175u | +850 |
- PSG vs. Girona moneyline odds: PSG -350, Girona +850, Draw +450
- PSG vs. Girona over/under: 2.5 goals (over -225, under +175)
- PSG vs. Girona pick: PSG to win
I am backing the PSG ML and an over in this Girona vs PSG Champions League match.
PSG Preview
In what seemed like the worst-kept secret, Kylian Mbappé finally left PSG in the summer and took his talents to Real Madrid. Manuel Ugarte was another key departure who is now at Manchester United.
Luis Enrique elected to go with younger signings to bring in the next generation at the club. So far, it has been successful.
PSG have won all four of their games in Ligue 1, averaging four goals per match and scoring at least three in every victory.
The French league has been one that is typically not the most competitive, especially compared to the Spanish top flight. So, it will be interesting to see how the new-look PSG handle the step up in competition.
Girona Preview
It was a sensational season for Girona in 2023-24, and it helped the club secure its first-ever qualification for this tournament.
However, there were some key departures from the squad that I’m not sure have been replaced. The primary changes come in the forward line with both Artem Dovbyk and Savinho.
The duo combined for 35 goals and 20 assists in all competitions, and Dovbyk won the Golden Boot by finishing with the most goals in La Liga.
Even with the losses to the squad, this should be an exciting club that tends to play an attacking style.
PSG vs. Girona Champions League Prediction
In this competition, I’m always looking to back PSG at home based on how tough it is for visitors to get a result. It just comes down to picking the right option.
So, my best bet is a single game parlay, pairing a Paris Saint-Germain win with the total flying over two goals at -138. I would bet this up to -145.
If you start first with the French giant, this same play has cashed in every game so far. This includes a pair of wins against Lille and Brest, who are both in this competition.
Meanwhile, it is also a fade of a Girona team that struggles on the road against top teams. Against the other UCL Spanish sides last season away from home, Girona owned a -4.1 xGDiff and allowed over three expected goals per match, according to fbref.com.
The same issue has happened already in this campaign as well. Girona were dominated over the weekend at home by Barcelona in a 4-1 loss, which follows a 3-0 defeat at Atlético Madrid a few weeks ago.
You also have to look at how dominant PSG have been at home in the Champions League. Since the 2012-13 season, Paris Saint Germain have only lost one of their 36 home games in the group stage of this competition.
I’m expecting another great result here for the home side against a debutant in this tournament.
Pick: PSG ML & O2 (-138)
How to Watch Champions League: Time, Channel, Streaming
| Location: | Parc des Princes, Paris, France |
| Date: | Wednesday, September 18 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | CBS Sports / Paramount+, YouTube TV, Fubo |
PSG vs. Girona is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET live from Paris, France on Wednesday. The Champions League match is live on CBS Sports platforms and streaming on Paramount+, YouTube TV, Fubo and other streaming platforms.
