PSG vs Botafogo Prediction: Les Parisiens to blow another team away

Uefa Champions League winners Paris-Saint-Germain fired a warning to their rivals at the Fifa Club World Cup as they demolished Atletico Madrid 4-0 in their Group B opener on Sunday. Next up for them is a clash with Brazilian side Botafogo on Friday (02:00 BST, DAZN) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Their opponents also got off to a winning start by beating Seattle Sounders 2-1 last time out, but they will face a much sterner test in Luis Enrique's side on this occasion. Read on for my PSG vs Botafogo predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

PSG are hoping to be boosted by the return of Bradley Barcola for this clash after a slight knee issue. Ousmane Dembele is set to miss out again as he continues to train on his own as part of his recovery for a muscular injury.

Barcola's return would reignite competition with Desire Doue for a place in the front three. Dembele's absence will likely see Goncalo Ramos keep his place through the middle, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is expected to occupy the other attacking spot.

Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha and Joao Neves may be deployed in midfield once again, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is set to be shielded by Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi.

PSG Club World Cup Preview

Botafogo Club World Cup Preview

Having seen what PSG did against Atletico - a team renowned for being tight at the back - Botafogo may go for a more cautious lineup than the one against the Sounders. Striker Gonzalo Mastriani might be most vulnerable to drop out, especially with winger Cuiabano set to return from a back problem.

Attacking duo Joaquin Correa and Arthur Cabral were signed by the Fogo just before the tournament to bolster their offensive ranks, and both could be in line to play a part in Pasadena. Correa has a small fitness issue so he may be limited to a cameo at best.

Matheus Martins and ex-Lyon winger Jeffinho are both ruled out for the Brazilian outfit.

PSG vs Botafogo Odds

PSG have won their last six matches in all competitions and they are the 1/4 favourites in this clash. They have not conceded a goal in their past three matches so better value can be found in backing them to win to nil at 1/1 - which has an implied probability of 50%.

Botafogo are 11/1 to stun the European champions and they themselves are on a winning run of four games. The draw is marketed at 5/1.

There have been goals at both ends in the Lone Star's last two matches in all competitions, and BTTS is priced at 1/1 for Friday.

PSG to win to nil @ 1/1

After the physically demanding season that they've had to secure a historic treble, you wondered whether PSG would have burned out by the time the Club World Cup rolled around.

Any doubts have seemingly been quashed by their dominant demolition of Atletico Madrid, who are a team that are very rarely breached, especially in such a fashion. Luis Enrique's side look just as sharp as ever and you have to fancy their chances at potentially ending this memorable season as world champions.

I think they are currently the best team in the world and there are only a handful of teams that may be able to get close to them but it still may not be enough.

Botafogo are about to face their toughest test of the group stage and I do think they will be overwhelmed by Les Parisiens' attacking might. I am going for PSG to win to nil as they have won their past three games without conceding.

Today's Football Fixtures

Over 3.5 PSG goals @ 5/2

PSG's attacking players were on fire against Atleti as there were four different goalscorers in that match. Les Parisiens are continuing to demonstrate their firepower and the fact that they blew Diego Simeone's side, who are a tough nut to crack, will strike fear into the teams hoping to go all the way in the USA this summer.

Botafogo will try to limit the damage but PSG are blessed with so many creative players who can conjure up openings with precision and skill. The likes of Doue and Kvaratskhelia will be eager to open up their Club World Cup accounts after missing out in the previous game, and given the fluidity of PSG's front three, it won't be long until they get off the mark.

Les Rouge-et-Bleu have scored at least four goals in their previous two fixtures and I think we will see this trend continue in California.

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