Prediction for Paris Saint-Germain - Real Sociedad 14 February 2024

PSG are through to the Champions League 1/8 finals stage for the 12th consecutive season, but for the Parisian grandee who, despite their wealth, cannot win here. Perhaps a lot of that has to do with the fact that they have lost at this stage in five of their last seven Champions League campaigns, and on three of those five occasions were ominously knocked out by a Spanish opponent. That makes for a bleak outlook ahead of the two-match set-up against Real Sociedad, but having lost just seven of their last 72 home matches in Europe, PSG should be confident of securing a first leg advantage. Indeed, the Spaniards are in poor form having failed to win in their last four matches and losing 0-1 at home to Osasuna in their last match. But it should not be forgotten that they are a tough team that can spring a surprise. 0-0 with Inter in the group stage, 0-1 defeat to Barça, in the match against Real Sociedad alone they conceded two, while scoring first and leading for a long time. I don't want to see what happens here.

PSG this season showed one of the weakest performances in the group stage of the Champions League. In general, the team became only weaker before this season, although it does not affect the results in the French championship. But the Parisians almost went to the Europa League. Real Sociedad on the contrary, for a rare participant of the main club tournament in Europe played outstandingly. Maybe the group was not the strongest, but to beat the finalist of the last draw Inter, which is simply unstoppable in the Italian championship, is worth a lot. PSG are no stronger than Inter at the moment, which means they can fight with Mbappe and company on the road.