7M INSIGHT - PSG vs Bayern Munich

Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich - one of the standout games on matchday 2 of the Champions League tonight.

The sides have been two of the best in the footballing world in recent seasons. PSG are the dominant force in Ligue 1, even though they lost the title to Monaco last season, while Bayern are undoubtedly the best Bundesliga team after relishing the trophy for five times in a row.

It is interesting to observe their successful paths though because we may draw a conclusion that they are on the opposite sides of the scope.

DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES

Both clubs are rich, but they believe in dissimilar ways toward glory.

The Paris powerhouses spent 222 million euros on Neymar and 180 million euros on Kylian Mbappe during the summer. Look at these crazy numbers, we already knew that this team have been in a fast-forward mode by the means of money. Actually, the Bavarian giants were one of the strongest dissidents for the so-called PSG method.

Who will get the last laugh in this stand-off? Let's wait and see.

THE FACTS AND KEY PLAYERS

PSG atop the Ligue 1 currently with only one point ahead of direct rivals Monaco. We cannot predict who will be the champions this early in the season, and Monaco are still looking strong at the moment. However, PSG seem to set the tone right with three goals per league game in a 21-goal tally from six rounds. On the other hand, they only conceded three goals in total. Although they only took a goalless draw in their last league game against Montpellier, you may argue that Unai Emery's men conserved great amount of energy for this important UCL match.

Bayern are only the 3rd team in the league with a shaky form. They’ve drawn their last league game against the relegation battling Wolfsburg, and they got defeated by Europa League outfit Hoffenheim with 0-2 previously. Although Bayern have not had a good start as well and still clinched the league title eventually last season, they seem to undergo a real tough campaign this time around. Players are injured, Carlo Ancelotti failed to adjust his relationship with some players. This unstoppable German machine may be broken soon enough if they cannot find a quick way out.

In terms of key players, Neymar and Robert Lewandowski have to be the men of the game. These two teams will vouch for an entertaining game with so many offensive plays. Which style is able to yield a great result? Those two guys have a say in it.

That minor foot problem of Neymar is thought to have healed well, so we can expect to see Edinson Cavani and Neymar in action again after their recent bust-out. The Brazilian bagged four goals in four league appearances, and his impact on PSG offense is insurmountable. Without playing their last league game, Neymar will give his full effort in this one against the German champions.

The opposition have their own talisman, and he is Robert Lewandowski. The Polish man has been in a lethal form this season with eight goals in seven appearances for his club. He is responsible for half of Bayern's league goals this season and scored 30 Bundesliga goals last season as the Golden Boot winner. Without a shadow of doubt, he is lifting his whole team at the moment, and he is likely to determine the outcome of this game.

TIPS FOR THE GAME

PSG and Bayern Munich have each won one and lost one of their two encounters, both of which came in the 2000/01 Champions League group stage. That's long time ago, so we may not draw too much information in this regard.

However, Bayern's away record in the Champions League isn't the best. They have lost four of their last six trips in the competition, including a shocking 2-3 loss at Rostov.

William Hill set the odds at 2-3-3 in 1x2 Odds, and the AH line of this game is the hosts (-0.50). All in all, we are going for PSG winning the game as well as in AH with a better form.

(7M/Russell)