Football Bet of the Day: Raphinha can help end PSG’s Euro dream for another year

Our Football Bet of the Day for Tuesday April 16 comes from the Champions League, as Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain in the second-leg of their quarter-final tie at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium (20:00, TNT Sports 1).

After taking a closer look at this match-up in Catalonia, we’ve come up with our Football Bet of the Day and fancy a certain Brazilian forward to strike again on a night that can see the Blaugrana end PSG’s hope of European glory for yet another year.

This second-leg is finely poised on Tuesday night after what was a thrilling first-leg at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

Barcelona managed to come away from the French capital with a 3-2 win, with Brazil international Raphinha bagging himself a well-taken brace.

The former Leeds United star opened the scoring, before the Parisians stuck back with quickfire goals from Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha.

Barca managed to hold their nerve and a second goal from Raphinha, followed by a third from Andreas Christensen means the Blaugrana hold a one-goal advantage ahead of the second leg.

Xavi saw his side have less possession at the Parc des Princes but they did have more shots on target than the hosts in that first leg.

Expect Barca to keep more of the ball on their own patch and from the first leg they will know they can’t switch off for a moment, otherwise PSG are a side that can punish you.

In the six games between these sides in Barcelona, PSG have only managed to come out on top once and that was in 2021 when Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in a shock 4-1 win at the Camp Nou.

Xavi’s side were able to keep French superstar Mbappe quiet during the first leg in Paris and will be hoping the same tactics can keep the Real Madrid-bound striker off the scoresheet again on Tuesday night.

As for Barcelona’s attacking threats, there will be plenty of attention from the PSG defence on Poland striker Robert Lewandowski.

The focal point of the Barca attack, the former Bayern Munich star will certainly keep the Parisian backline busy, which could open up space for others.

That was certainly the case in the first leg at the Parc des Princes and the man who took advantage of that extra space was Raphinha.

With his pace and willingness to run at defenders, Raphinha is a major threat in the final third for Xavi’s side.

A player who has often been linked with moves away from Barcelona, the 27-year-old can show again on Tuesday night why he is a forward worth keeping, as the club look to challenge Real Madrid for the title next season.

For the moment the Champions League is the sole focus for Barca, who are 7/2 to win with Raphinha again on the scoresheet with Betfred’s #PickYourPunt.

Check out other Football Bet of the Day here.