It has not turned out that way, and PSG have been hampered by a difficult draw –- the hardest of any team according to statisticians Opta — that has already seen them play Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, and lose to all three.
If PSG lose to City, they will be under severe pressure in their last game against Stuttgart on January 29, when 18 matches take place simultaneously.
City will similarly be in grave danger if they lose in Paris, although one win from their last two matches may suffice to reach the play-off round, with 10 points expected to be enough.
Fixture pile-up
Reigning champions Real Madrid are also in a slightly uncomfortable position. They lie 20th with nine points having lost half their six games.
Games against Red Bull Salzburg and French upstarts Brest should allow them to advance, but Real will likely also have to prepare for a two-legged play-off in February, as only the top eight progress directly to the last 16 in March.
The fixtures will pile up for these clubs, and the powerful trio mentioned above are among 12 European teams who will go to the first edition of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup in June and July.
Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Atletico, Juventus and Benfica are also challenging for Champions League knockout berths while having the Club World Cup to come.
Contrast that with Liverpool and Barcelona, the only teams that have already guaranteed places in the knockout phase.
