The UEFA Champions League knockout stage is only halfway through the round of 16, but it has already sparked a big debate, who could be with us for the next decade: Mbappe or Haaland? Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland were the competition’s two brightest stars as the round of 16 began last month. The world-class forwards – who are 42 combined – combined for five goals in their teams’ first leg wins. Mbappe scored a hat trick against Barcelona, while Haaland scored twice to give his side an advantage against Sevilla.
The pair will be back on the pitch this week, with both players looking to advance to the quarter-finals. Dortmund host Sevilla on Tuesday ahead of the PSG-Barca game on Wednesday, and all Champions League games are shown on Paramount +.
While it is up to PSG, Dortmund, the UEFA draw and the football gods to decide whether we will have a possible Mbappe v Haaland game on the pitch this year, that will not stop us from properly debating the issue. one of the best debates of the game. now: Do you prefer Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland?
We asked our panel of football experts. Here is what they said.
UCL round table: Mbappe or Haaland?
James Benge: If I am one of the few hyperclubs where this option is available, I take Mbappe for two reasons. First of all in terms of football, the Frenchman gives this scintilla more versatility in terms of building a front line, he can play as well wide as through the middle while chasing records. Mbappe all three games against all five of Haaland. Then there is the other crucial factor: the power of the stars. Haaland is brilliant but does he have the same magnetic energy on and off the pitch as Mbappe, a player who has the showmanship to transcend his sport and earn that crucial name recognition across the world? One need only look at the way Mbappe scored at Camp Nou and put on his celebration for a while just to find the right camera to pose in front of. I hate to say it, but if I split the hair between these two next gen stars, the star quality is something I’m going to have to take into account. After all, something has to fund the massive transfer fees I would pay for either of these two.
Roger Gonzalez: I take Haaland all day. Look, Mbappe is absolutely amazing, has already won a World Cup and produced moments of magic that made him the face of PSG against Neymar. He is also potentially the next best player in the world. But Haaland has the speed, he has the finishing ability and he has the instinct, but he’s got the size too. The 6-foot-4 Haaland is absolutely amazing in the air and can offer more scoring chances than Mbappe. This ability, I think, will hold up in more physical leagues as well, especially if his future ends in England. Choosing between the two is like asking if you want to take a vacation to London or Rome. You just can’t go wrong with either, but because of his physical features, prolific scoring in front of goal, instinct, and the fact that he’s two years younger, I take the wicked Norwegian.
Mike goodman: I think the answer is clearly Mbappe. Haaland is an incredible goalscorer for all ages, let alone a player who is only 20, but so is Mbappe. Compare their stats and you see Haaland is slightly ahead with 1.07 goals every 90 minutes versus 0.95 for Mbappe. But look at the expected goal totals and they’re virtually indistinguishable at 0.83 and 0.85, respectively. What Mbappe brings to the table is a lot more scoreless impact. He plays 36 assists for 90, Haaland plays 16. He also plays 2.7 assists in the third striker, Haaland plays 1.3. And, with the ball at their feet, Mbappe faces almost eight players per game and Haaland less than two. Now, when you score as much as Haaland, you don’t have to do all the other things to be one of the best players in the world, but when Mbappe scores that goal and does all of those other things, the choice is clearing.
Sandra Herrera: Mbappe. Both players are having impressive stretches right now. In the three domestic matches leading up to their respective UCL eighth second leg, Mbappe has scored four goals, while Haaland has scored twice. Haaland had the most impressive and consistent run of UCL games as the fastest player with 18 goals in UCL history in 13 games. Even so, Mbappe’s PSG routed Barcelona behind a hat trick from the France international and he is in a position to have another great game.
Jonathan Johnson: I’m going to Mbappe. Haaland is a world-class talent in his own right and any team would be lucky to have him, but Mbappe is still the best young talent in the game in my eyes. The Norwegian’s rise has been meteoric, but so has that of the French and he has won a World Cup with France, Ligue 1 four times with PSG and Monaco, both national cups twice each and also reached a final of the Champions League. All this before the age of 23. Haaland could still match some of that, but there’s no doubt that I’m still setting the pace here – Mbappe.
So who should you come back to in the UEFA Champions League game between Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla? And where is all the value of the bets? Visit SportsLine now to see this week’s best bets for the UEFA Champions League, all from the European football insider who has generated over $ 17,600 for every $ 100 in punters since the 2017-18 season!
