UEFA Champions League, Matchday 6

Group H

Parc des Princes, Paris

Paris Saint-Germain - Istanbul Basaksehir

- Kick-off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT)

It's high drama and high stakes in Group H on Matchday 6, with leaders Manchester United locked on nine points alongside second-place PSG and third-placed RB Leipzig as the capital club play host to Basaksehir at the Parc des Princes.

Tuchel tips turnaround

In this congested context, anything can happen, but only a win over Basaksehir will guarantee Paris of a place in the last 16, and now it's up to Tuchel's stars - whom the German coach has uncharacteristically criticised recently after they let successive two-goal leads slip in the league - to turn in the kind of performance that got them to the final of the competition last time around.

"We're all very focused because we will finish top of the group with a win. We know what winning a Champions League match implies. It will be a third final, after those against Manchester United and Leipzig," said Tuchel, for whom a draw would be enough should Manchester United and Leipzig also play out a stalemate, while defeat could mean relegation to the Europa League.
"Playing every three days doesn't give us time to think too much. That's good, and I like it. We need to use the time we have well in order to prepare for this match. We need to get on the ball, play in their half, press and be very focused."

Stars set to fire

Having rested most of his big names for Saturday's 3-1 Ligue 1 Uber Eats win over Montpellier, Tuchel is tipped to field a full-strength front three of Kylian Mbappé - who scored his 100th PSG goal at the weekend - Moise Kean and Neymar in front of a midfield comprising Leandro Paredes, Danilo Pereira and the sorely missed Marco Verratti.

It will be first-choice in the centre of defence too, with captain Marquinhos paired with Presnel Kimpembe and flanked by Alessandro Florenzi and Mitchel Bakker while the ever-dependable Keylor Navas takes charge of 'keeping duties.


Probable teams

Paris Saint-Germain: Navas; Florenzi, Marquinhos (c), Kimpembe, Bakker; Paredes, Danilo, Verratti; Mbappé, Kean, Neymar

Istanbul Basaksehir: Günok; Rafael, Ponk, Epureanu (c), Kaldirim; Kahveci, Özcan, Türüc; Gulbrandsen, Ba, Chadli



Group E

Roazhon Park, Rennes

Stade Rennais FC - Sevilla FC

- Kick-off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT)

Meanwhile, for Rennes, this final group-stage match is all about honour - their chance at transitioning to the Europa league knockout rounds evaporated with the 1-0 Matchday 5 defeat to Krasnodar - and kicking off a positive dynamic after just one win in their last 13 outings in all competitions.

Da Silva up for the challenge

The demands - and the pressure - of a maiden Champions League campaign on top of the customary rigours of top-flight football have proven a stiff test for the Breton club, but captain Damien Da Silva hasn't given up hope that Les Rouge et Noir can clock the club's first-ever Champions League win and turn things around before playing host to Nice in Ligue 1 Uber Eats.

"Getting a win in the Champions League is not nothing. It's something awesome," said the central defender and captain. "Even though things are tough at the moment, we're capable of pulling off a feat."

To do just that, coach Julien Stephen is tipped to field a 4-3-3 formation with World Cup winner Steven Nzonzi anchoring the midfield while Mbaye Niang leads the front three flanked by Jérémy Doku and Yann Gboho.


Probable teams

Stade Rennais FC: Salin; Assignon, Soppy, Da Silva (c), Maouassa; Bourigeaud, Nzonzi, Grenier; Doku, Niang, Gboho

Sevilla FC: Bounou; Koundé, Gomez, Diego Carlos, Rekik; Torres, Gudelj, Rodriguez; Suso, En-Nesyri, Idrissi