UEFA's decision to change the seeding process for this season was always likely to produce some big group games and that has proven to be the case here.
With both sides having taken maximum points from their opening two Champions League encounters, Wednesday's meeting at the Parc des Princes could go a long way to determining which of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid will advance through to the knockout stages as group winners.
PSG
© Getty Images
Having been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in each of the last three seasons, the pressure is on Laurent Blanc to at least guide PSG to the last four this time around.
After all, what was an already talented squad was bolstered in the summer by the arrival of five new players, the headline of which was £45m signing Angel di Maria from Manchester United.
For Di Maria, this encounter will mark his first outing against Los Blancos since his departure for Old Trafford in the summer of 2014. The Argentina international, who failed to settle in Manchester, scored 22 goals in 124 La Liga appearances, but more impressively he was named man of the match as Madrid won a 10th European title in Lisbon two seasons ago.
On the pitch, Di Maria's new club have been in imperious form so far this season. They are yet to taste defeat, winning 11 and drawing the other two of their 13 matches in all competitions.
Their home form stretching back to last season is also equally as positive, with eight wins and a draw coming from their last nine outings in front of their own supporters. During that time, the Parisians have found the net on 29 occasions.
Yet, while it is a fairly safe assumption to make that the Ligue 1 title will be won again, it is the Champions League that truly captures the imagination of the club's owners. PSG last reached the semi-finals in 1995 and matching that is what the Qatar Investment Authority want to see.
Recent form: DDLLWW
Recent form (all competitions): DWWWWW
Real Madrid
© Getty Images
Rafael Benitez enjoyed the finest moment of his managerial career in this competition in 2005 when he guided an unfancied Liverpool side to the final in Istanbul, where they amazingly overturned a 3-0 half-time deficit to beat an experienced AC Milan on penalties.
With the Reds having not lifted the trophy since 1984, that triumph was viewed as more of an unexpected - yet pleasant - bonus. Now in the Bernabeu hotseat, Benitez finds himself weighed down by the level of expectancy, particularly where the Champions League is concerned.
It is a competition that the Merengues have won a record 10 times, with the president, board and supporters demanding an 11th triumph this time around.
They have certainly started their campaign in positive fashion, with victories to nil being achieved at home against Shakhtar Donetsk and away at Swedish side Malmo.
The 4-0 victory over Shakhtar saw a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently became the club's leading all-time goalscorer, surpassing Raul in the process. Ronaldo's achievement of scoring 324 goals is all the more remarkable when you consider that he took around 400 games less than the former captain to reach that tally.
For even more positivity ahead of the trip to Paris, Madrid have not lost an away group fixture since the 2012-13 campaign, which dates back eight matches.
Recent form: DWLDWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWDW
Team News
© Getty Images
Madrid centre-forward Karim Benzema has spoken of his desperation to feature in this encounter, but the likelihood is that the Frenchman will not recover from a hamstring injury in time.
His absence could see Benitez use Ronaldo in a central attacking position, with the fit-again Gareth Bale and Isco potentially offering support to the Portuguese talisman.
Luka Modric could recover from a muscular strain, while captain Sergio Ramos has been tipped to receive a painkilling injection in his shoulder to get him through the 90 minutes.
However, centre-back Pepe, as well as Dani Carvajal and James Rodriguez are all injury absentees.
As for the home team, defender David Luiz will play no part because of a knee complaint, but there is more positive news where Marco Verratti is concerned following his recovery from a calf injury.
PSG possible starting lineup:
Sirigu; Maxwell, Silva, Marquinhos, Aurier; Motta, Pastore, Di Maria; Lucas, Cavani, Ibrahimovic
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Navas; Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Danilo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Isco, Bale, Ronaldo
Head To Head
These two teams met in the UEFA Cup in 1993 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 12 months later, with the French side coming out on top on both occasions.
They won 5-4 on aggregate first time around, with the second clash ending in a 2-1 triumph.
We say: PSG 1-1 Real Madrid
In what is likely to be a close encounter, it would not be a surprise if this one ended in a draw. We expect PSG to take the lead, before the visitors grab a late equaliser.
Liam Apicella
