Andy Schooler returns with his first football preview of the season – a look at Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash between PSG and Aston Villa.
Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa (TNT Sports, Wednesday 8pm)
For those who follow trends, you best just get with PSG in Salzburg on Wednesday for the Champions League winners have won this annual clash with the Europa League kings in 12 of the last 13 years (admittedly, sometimes it’s needed penalties).
However, I’m struggling to get last season’s game out of my head.
While that contest helped extend the trend, PSG were fortunate to do so. They trailed Tottenham – yes, that rancid Spurs side which almost got relegated – 2-0 with five minutes to go but salvaged a 2-2 draw they hardly deserved and won via spot kicks.
There was a reason for their unimpressive display, namely that they’d had no ‘proper’ pre-season having been engaged in the new FIFA Club World Cup until mid-July.
However, with the majority of their squad having been at this summer’s World Cup – many until mid-July – they also look underprepared this time around.
They have at least managed two friendlies this summer (although they’ve failed to win either) but seven of their top stars only returned to training on Monday, including World Cup winner Fabian Ruiz.
This is going to be a mix-and-match PSG side, make no mistake, and there’s certainly potential for Villa to capitalise in the way Spurs so very nearly did 12 months ago.
While the Premier League side have also had the likes of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez back late following their World Cup exploits, they certainly look better prepared, having managed six friendlies prior to this game, including a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich on Friday.
They will also take some confidence from the fact they did beat PSG less than 18 months ago, winning 3-2 at Villa Park in a Champions League tie that they lost 5-4 on aggregate.
They will still be gelling as they prepare for life without Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne (Amadou Onana is also injured) but there is potential in their signings, who include World Cup star Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes and Alejandro Garnacho.
Notably, they also have a manager who is well versed in European success and Unai Emery is more than capable of coming up with a gameplan which will challenge the French side.
I’m tempted enough to have a small bet on the underdogs, while both teams to score also appeals.
This has occurred in 10 of those most recent 13 Super Cup matches, while it’s also landed in five of Villa’s six friendlies.
PSG, whose big summer signing has been winger Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco, conceded three times against Mallorca prior to their weekend 1-1 draw with Manchester United in Sweden so, again, there is plenty of hope for Villa.
In terms of player props, I’m also a tad wary about getting involved this early in the season unless there’s a strong trend from last season to go on.
However, I will mention Villa youngster Brian Madjo.
The 17-year-old has made the most of Watkins’ absence in pre-season, scoring four times so far.
The former Luxembourg international, who is now representing England, seems unlikely to start here but should he get the nod from Emery, then an anytime scorer price of 4.1 could be of interest.
PSG v Aston Villa best bets:
Villa to win (in 90 mins) @ 3.8 with kwiff
Both teams to score @ 1.72 with kwiff
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