Barcelona Clash with PSG: Epic Showdown Preview, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
The two clubs widely expected to clash in the 2024–25 Champions League final are set to meet at last, as Barcelona welcomes Paris Saint-Germain in this week's premier European fixture.
Barcelona chief Joan Laporta will see his desire fulfilled as they take on the defending European titleholders, with Barça aiming to preserve their perfect record this campaign. Hansi Flick's squad triumphed over Real Sociedad in their previous outing to claim the La Liga summit and began their group stage journey with a 2–1 victory against Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Luis Enrique makes his return to the venue where he secured the first of his two managerial trebles. PSG arrive following their Ligue 1 triumph over Auxerre and will seek to duplicate their away success against Barcelona from the 2023–24 quarterfinals, which stands as Barça's most recent home Champions League loss.
Fitness concerns for both squads have slightly diminished the excitement around what many consider the most eagerly awaited fixture of the 2025–26 group stage. However, this remains an enormous encounter that could pit the world's two finest teams against each other for 90 minutes.
Here's Sports Illustrated's comprehensive match preview.
What Time Does Barcelona vs. PSG Kick-Off?
Barcelona vs. PSG Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Barcelona | PSG |
|---|---|
Barcelona 2–1 Real Sociedad - 9/28/25 | PSG 2–0 Auxerre - 9/27/25 |
Real Oviedo 1–3 Barcelona - 9/25/25 | Marseille 1–0 PSG - 9/22/25 |
Barcelona 3–0 Getafe - 9/21/25 | PSG 4–0 Atalanta - 9/17/25 |
Newcastle United 1–2 Barcelona - 9/18/25 | PSG 2–0 Lens - 9/14/25 |
Barcelona 6–0 Valencia - 9/14/25 | Toulouse 3–6 PSG - 8/30/25 |
How to Watch Barcelona vs. PSG on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV / Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States | Paramount+, DAZN USA, Amazon Prime Video |
United Kingdom | discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, discovery+ App, TNT Sports 4 |
Canada | DAZN Canada, Amazon Prime Video |
Mexico | Caliente TV, Amazon Prime Video |
Barcelona Team News
Barcelona got a significant fitness lift during the weekend as Lamine Yamal returned to action following his recovery from a groin problem that kept him out for four weeks. The two-time Kopa Trophy recipient provided an assist for Barça's winning goal and appears ready to start against PSG.
However, the Catalan side will still be missing several important players. Joan García, Raphinha, Fermín López and Gavi are ruled out for the fixture, though Alejandro Balde might return after overcoming his hamstring problem, likely as a substitute.
Marcus Rashford is expected to retain his attacking role in Raphinha's absence, while Wojciech Szczęsny will continue between the posts replacing the injured García. Flick has already announced that Dani Olmo will operate as the furthest forward midfielder and Gerard Martín will earn his sixth straight start in Balde's regular position.
The main uncertainty centers on Barcelona's striker selection. Robert Lewandowski's experience might give him the advantage, though Ferran Torres will be eager to make his mark.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. PSG
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. PSG (4-2-3-1): Szczęsny; Koundé, García, Cubarsí, Martín; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski.
PSG Team News
The current champions are also dealing with multiple injuries and will be missing 2025 Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and Champions League final double-scorer Désiré Doué.
Skipper Marquinhos remains unavailable, as does Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who didn't travel with PSG's party after sustaining an injury over the weekend. João Neves, Fabián Ruíz and Vitinha have joined the traveling squad, and fans will hope this talented trio are all available to start.
PSG Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Ruíz; Lee, Ramos, Barcola.
Barcelona vs. PSG Score Prediction
Fitness issues have denied fans the opportunity to witness these two sides at full strength, but this should remain a compelling battle between two of Europe's elite clubs.
Wojciech Szczęsny and Lucas Chevalier will anticipate plenty of action between the posts, though the unavailability of Dembéle, Doué and Kvaratskhelia, combined with Yamal's return for Barcelona, should favor the hosts.
With Vitinha orchestrating play from midfield, PSG will still pose a significant danger to Barcelona, and it would be shocking if both sides didn't score at least once. It would be unusual to dismiss the home team, though, given the extent of PSG's injury problems, and they should outgun the titleholders on their way to claiming all three points.