The 50th edition of the UEFA Super Cup pits Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy. PSG are aiming to add their first Super Cup to a historic treble-winning season, while Spurs, enjoying a shot at continental glory, seek a first-ever Super Cup triumph.

This clash has different impacts for both teams at very different points on their journeys. For PSG, this is a chance to add yet more silverware to last years success, and despite the disappointment of losing the Club World Cup final, the project under Luis Enrique remains strong and with the brief break over the summer, they can start the upcoming season with a trophy, and a chance to show their quality on the big stage once again as their attentions turn to retaining all silverware.

For Tottenham, they’re very much at a starting point after the departure of Postecoglou, and appointment of Thomas Frank. Starting his tenure at Spurs, he enters with a Champions League season ahead, the positivity of last years silverware still remaining, and a chance to instantly claim a trophy for the club in his first official game in charge. Given Tottenham’s focus for many years on managers just missing out on silverware or not being able to achieve this, a manager coming in and winning a title in his first game would be the dream start for Frank at his new club.

In this preview, we’re going to look at the summer activities for both sides leading into the game, look at the team news ahead of the clash and pick out some key players to watch, and make a prediction for how the game could play out on Wednesday evening.

As always, if you have any thoughts on this specific game or the new season generally, get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on Bluesky (@NextGoalWinner) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).

Transfers

Despite having an incredible season last campaign, PSG have remained fairly quiet in the transfer window, only adding a few key additions and just tweaking parts of the squad to help Enrique ahead of another big season where fatigue and energy levels will be needed. At time of writing, PSG have confirmed the signing of Lucas Chevalier as a new keeper amid the speculation of Donnarumma’s departure. They have all-but confirmed the addition of Ilya Zabarnyi from Bournemouth but it remains to be seen if he will be straight in for Wednesday’s clash. They have had a few outgoings and will likely see one or two more coming in and out before the season starts properly, but given they’re at the top of their game, they simply need to continue to refresh and tweak the squad.

For Tottenham, they have bolstered their forward line with the addition of Mohammed Kudus (formerly of West Ham) for around £54.5 million. They’ve also made the move for Tel and Danso permanent and added in a few others, notably the loan move for Joao Palhinha which I really like. A proven Premier League quality midfielder whose move to Bayern didn’t work, but with a loan it allows the club to see if he can pick his Fulham form back up and continue. Their notable outgoing is Son who moved to the US and they have lost James Maddison who picked up an injury in pre-season that will keep him out for months. As a result, there could be a bit more to be done for Thomas Frank’s side in the window, but nothing likely before the Super Cup clash.

Pre-Season

PSG stumbled in the FIFA Club World Cup final, losing 3-0 to Chelsea at the end of a long season, but this game will give them a chance to pick things straight back up and get back to winning ways and prove that last season can be maintained. PSG will always remain favourites for domestic titles, but the European competition is something that the club will focus on yet again.

Tottenham have had a mixed bag of pre-season thus far, beating Arsenal on their travels but facing a recent battering by Bayern Munich, plus losing Maddison and a few other injuries and knocks does raise a question again around the fitness and availability of this squad, which plagued their season last year.

Team News

Paris Saint-Germain step onto the pitch in Udine buoyed by a flurry of key summer reinforcements as the club have officially completed the signing of young French international goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier from Lille, and the 23-year-old is tipped to start ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose future remains uncertain. Hot on his heels, PSG have also secured the services of 22-year-old centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi from Bournemouth. Manager Luis Enrique’s preparations have been punctuated by an unusually brief, seven-day pre-season following their Champions League triumph, with many first-team players joining training only from August 6.

Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, face the Super Cup without pivotal creative force James Maddison, who has suffered a ruptured ACL in a recent friendly and is set for surgery and long-term rehabilitation. Further compounding their midfield woes, Dejan Kulusevski remains side-lined with a knee injury and is unlikely to return before mid-September. Striker Dominic Solanke also carries a knock that puts his availability in doubt. Amid this backdrop, Thomas Frank may turn to new signings like Mohammed Kudus to fill the creative void, while João Palhinha, who has claimed the No.6 shirt, might make his debut in central midfield, and manager Frank insists his side will be fully ready for the game despite their pre-season setback

Players To Watch

PSG:

Ousmane Dembélé: Scored 33 goals across all competitions last season, joint top-scored in Ligue 1, and starred in PSG’s historic 5-0 Champions League final win.

Désiré Doué: UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season, standout in the Club World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur:

Mohammed Kudus: Expected to step into the void left by Maddison with his dynamism and creativity.

Christian Romero / Micky van de Ven: Spurs’ defensive duo will be tested against PSG’s pace and firepower.

Prediction

PSG enter as clear favourites, with betting odds putting them at 21/50 to win in 90 minutes, while Spurs are outsiders at around 21/4. With a depleted and inexperienced squad under a new boss, this contest seems unlikely to go Spurs’ way and I expect a strong PSG performance where they once again flex their attacking muscles.

Prediction: PSG 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Don’t forget, if you have any thoughts on this specific game or the new season generally, you can get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on Bluesky (@NextGoalWinner) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).