Villarreal can press high and break into space, but PSG have repeatedly made a second good chance after the first move stops. The next pass through midfield and the runner beyond the back line will shape that contest. Birmingham and Millwall each have a route through a wide runner and a loose second touch. Their defending after the first clearance should decide whether the match opens up.
Villarreal's Moleiro and Buchanan can release Mikautadze, yet their latest home attacks against Espanyol and Elche produced no goal despite repeated entries. Moreno left the Espanyol game injured and is listed out; Pépé took his place, while Gueye returns from domestic suspension. PSG's central trio can play through the press and Hakimi can arrive beyond Villarreal's left side; he played substantial minutes in the last match. PSG have also found later runners and corner finishes after opponents answered. That's why I'm siding with PSG to find the decisive goal.
Birmingham's long throw and wide service produced follow-up touches against Lincoln, while Lisbie, Cundle and Neghli have given Millwall clean runs and replies after conceding. Millwall's Metcalfe is suspended after playing Derby, and Birmingham's Priske and Beadle left their last match hurt; Ducksch and Allsop supplied replacement minutes. Those changes alter the names at the end of the move without removing the wide and second-contact routes on both sides. I'm siding with a higher scoring Birmingham–Millwall game.
