Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City in Champions League 2016 Quarterfinals: French Side is Favorite to Dominate

By David Salazar Apr 06 2016, 11:14 AM EDT

There is no bigger matchup of heavyweights than the Manchester City vs. Paris Saint-Germain tilt in the quarterfinals of this year's Champions League. The match on Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. EST at the Parc des Princes in Paris is undeniably going to tell us whether the game lives up to the hype.

Can Manchester City Get Over the Hump?

Manchester City is the big story. For too long, the rich English side has faltered on the world's biggest stage, continually imploding in the group stage or having to face a Barcelona side too good to fail.

But this year was different. Despite being pegged with a tricky group stage that included the likes of Juventus and Sevilla as direct competitors, City went through as the group leaders and earned itself an easy date with Dynamo Kiev in the round of 16. City made no mistake of the opportunity handed to it and took home a 3-1 win in the opening leg before going scoreless in a meaningless game at home.

But now the real test begins.

Why PSG is the Favorite

Paris Saint-Germain is widely seen as a dark horse favorite to win this tournament and its recent play has undeniably held serve with these predictions.

Angel Di Maria's arrival on the scene has given PSG the attacking engine it so lacked over the past few years, freeing up the likes of Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from having to carry the front on their own. Di Maria's mobility has allowed those two to do what they do best and they have responded potently.

Ibrahimovic has already matched his best output for PSG in the French League in the four years that he has been there. Assuming he continues his current pace, he could finish the year with over 35 goals. In fact, he could be in the running for the European Boot as he has more league goals than Cristiano Ronaldo does this season. He has 38 goals in all competitions, including four in the UCL and is in the best form of the season. If he translates that level of play to the Champions League, City will be in trouble.

Cavani has not been as lethal in front of goal, scoring 19 in all competitions, but he has 14 goals in the French League and is on pace for 17. More importantly, he has been a great foil for Ibrahimovic, allowing the Swede more space to make his magic.