Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are known for their strong play but little rain, and they will face Real Sociedad in their first match of the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League this season, a team that has risen to the top of the table this season. PSG rely heavily on Kylian McBarbee, while Real only need to strengthen their defense to weaken his attacking power. In this match, both sides are expected to finish with a low 2.5-goal differential. (Now 643 live at 4 a.m. Thursday)
Since the big money took over PSG, the team has always had the ultimate goal of winning the UEFA Champions League, reaching the round of 16 for the past 12 years, but stopping there in the last two editions, eliminated by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively. PSG had a mediocre group stage this year, finishing just three points behind Dormont and relying on head-to-head results to narrowly beat AC Milan. Lucky to have avoided many strong teams, but not to be taken lightly against the rising Real Sociedad. McBarbee was rested in the last league game and his form should be fine, but PSG relies too much on "Mr. McBarbee", contributing 19 goals in the league alone, accounting for more than one-third of the team's total goals. If Real Sociedad can focus on defending against him, they can at least secure a draw, and then try to break through at home in the next round.
