PSG vs. RB Leipzig Matchday 3 Picks: Can Messi Lead Another Victory?

PSG could unleash the star attacking triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé for the clash with RB Leipzig on Tuesday. Can they exploit the German team’s defensive frailties?

PSG’s expensively assembled squad should be full of confidence as they prepare to host RB Leipzig at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. Goals from Idrissa Gueye and Messi handed the Parisians a 2-0 victory over Premier League heavyweight Manchester City in their last Champions League match. They should have enough quality to maintain the momentum against a struggling opponent.

Here are my picks and predictions for Tuesday’s Champions League clash between PSG and RB Leipzig. (Odds via DraftKings)

PSG vs. RB Leipzig Game Info

Date/Time: Tuesday, October 17, at 3 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Location: Parc des Princes, Paris, France

PSG vs. RB Leipzig Odds Analysis

PSG is understandably the clear favorite to beat RB Leipzig after winning 10 of its 12 matches so far this season. DraftKings has -195 on the Parisians, while FanDuel is offering a market-leading -190.

RB Leipzig is a +500 underdog with some online sportsbooks after a miserable start to life under new manager Jesse March. PSG looks likely to prevail, and you can find great value by combining a home win with a total goals market.

PSG vs. RB Leipzig Picks

PSG to win and over 2.5 goals in the match (+100)
Kylian Mbappé to score (-105)
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (-125)

PSG vs. RB Leipzig Predictions

PSG to win -195

PSG should win on the moneyline in this game without too much trouble. It is nine points clear of its closest rival in Ligue 1, so it can afford to focus 100 percent of its efforts on this clash.

PSG beat RB Leipzig 3-0 in the Champions League semi-finals back in 2020. It was a very one-sided game, as the German team could not deal with PSG's pace and movement.

Since then, RB Leipzig has regressed considerably. It lost its two best central defenders and its star midfielder in the summer, while talented manager Julian Nagelsmann moved to Bayern Munich.

A draw with Freiburg on the weekend left RB Leipzig languishing in eighth place in the Bundesliga table. It is also bottom of this Champions League group after losing 6-3 to Man City and 2-1 to Club Brugge.

PSG will welcome its South American contingent back for this game, including Messi, Neymar, and captain Marquinhos, and it should have too much quality for RB Leipzig.

Over 3.25 goals +105

RB Leipzig has been shambolic in defense this season. It has conceded seven goals in two Champions League games, which shows how badly it is missing Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté.

It is unlikely to resist PSG for long in this game. The Parisians have not quite gelled into an effective unit since Messi arrived, but the talent within the squad is phenomenal.

Yet, despite its defensive vulnerabilities, RB Leipzig is a strong team in attack. It has fired 16 goals in eight Bundesliga matches so far this season. March's men also put three goals past Man City goalkeeper Ederson, and they scored against Club Brugge.

PSG rarely keeps clean sheets - it is coming off a 2-1 win against Angers - and its former striker, Christopher Nkunku, has been on fire for RB Leipzig this season, so he could get on the scoresheet in this game.

It therefore looks like it could develop into a high-scoring game.

Kylian Mbappé to score -105

Mbappé banged in the winning goal for France in the Europa League final against Spain on Oct. 10, and he followed it up with the winner against Angers on Friday.

He appears to have returned to his brilliant best, and his pace, power, movement, and finishing ability could be too much for RB Leipzig to handle this week.

Messi and Neymar both like to drop deep, so Mbappé could form the focal point of the PSG attack in this game, and the odds on him scoring look appealing.

PSG ML (-195)

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