Montpellier will be vying to get as far away from the relegation scrap, as they face a tough challenge with PSG visiting in Ligue 1.
Michel Der Zakarian has a big question as Montpellier are languishing very close to the relegation play-off spot ahead of the visit of PSG. The club have had some decent performances in recent games, taking seven points off four league clashes, although they must do much more to secure their spot in the top flight.
Last weekend, Der Zakarian took full advantage of OGC Nice’s drastic drop in form to put them to the sword. Jean-Clair Todibo scored an own goal, only to see his teammate Jeremie Boga levelling before Teji Savanier secured the win for Montpellier.
The idea right now would be to get safely out of their current zone, with the club only a point above Nantes from the relegation play-off spot. There needs to be more separation between 11th-placed Toulouse and Nantes in 16th, with Montpellier stuck right in the middle. Der Zakarian will aim at some good results, but in the middle of that quest, they have to face PSG and hope to exploit their visitors’ recent bad form.
PSG fans were glued to their screens last night to see who their club faces in the Champions League quarter-finals. Luis Enrique’s men now face Barcelona in the next round, and winning that tournament this time out will be the aim the Parisians would love to chase.
Enrique will have his work cut out to lay down the objectives. For now, he will want his PSG players to focus more on the league despite a vast gap between them and surprise second-place side Brest are still ten points behind the Parisians.
Hence, PSG have drawn in each of their last three league clashes, which has yet to bother PSG so far. They have maintained an unassailable lead and might keep doing so, while Enrique will feel they cannot afford to drop any more points in Ligue 1, as the club would want to keep their focus on their European ambitions.
Team News & Tactics
Montpellier
Silvan Hefti was taken off around the 13th minute in Montpellier’s win over Nice, with the full-back suffering what seemed like a thigh problem. In the same game, Joris Chotard also took a blow to the calf and needed to be substituted at halftime.
Michel Der Zakarian does have a few players he could consider as direct replacements for the injured duo should they not make the squad for the PSG clash. Enzo Tchato and Leo Leroy are the stars that could replace the injured duo. There’s potentially another absentee with winger Mousa Tamari a doubt with an illness.
Teji Savanier will play at the base of Montpellier’s midfield, with Leroy and Jordan Ferri on either side. At the back, Modibo Sagnan and Kiki Kouyate will play the central roles, with Enzo Tchato at the right back and Issiaga Sylla at the left back.
Tamari will likely return fit from his illness and play on the right wing in the front line. Akor Adams will lead the line, while Arnaud Nordin will play on the left wing for the home side.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Lecomte; Tchato, Sagnan, Kouyate, Sylla; Ferri, Savanier, Leroy; Tamari, Adams, Nordin
PSG
Milan Skriniar and Presnel Kimbembe are out for the weekend and were joined by Marquinhos on the sidelines. Other absentees are ahead of the trip for PSG, with Marco Asensio, Layvin Kurzawa and Sergio Rico all out of contention for the Montpellier clash.
Luis Enrique will likely recall Bradley Barcola, Achraf Hakimi and Manuel Ugarte, while the manager will likely field a strong squad for the weekend. Lucas Hernandez and Danilo Pereira are the likely choices for central defensive unit, with Nuno Mendez likely to play left-back while Hakimi primed to slot in at right-back.
Warren Zaire-Emery will take his spot on the right side of the midfield three, with Ugarte set to sit at the base, with the support of Lee Kang-in on the left-hand side. Kylian Mbappe will lead the line with Bradley Barcola on the left, while Ousmane Dembele will play on the right-hand side of the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Pereira, Hernandez, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Ugarte, Kang-In; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola
Key Stats
- Montpellier have seen over 2.5 goals in 12 of their last 13 matches against Paris Saint-Germain in all competitions.
- Montpellier have collected seven points from their last four games in the league.
- Paris Saint-Germain have scored at least two goals in their last 13 matches against Montpellier in all competitions.
- Paris Saint-Germain are undefeated in their last 20 matches in Ligue 1.
- PSG are 10 points ahead of second-placed Brest.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
In the days following Mbappe’s decision to leave PSG, the forward saw his game time curtailed, even with some media outlets catching him in the background after a half-time substitution. In any case, there is speculation that the forward may not play a load of minutes between now and the end of the campaign.
Alternatively, PSG are protecting his fitness for the Champions League campaign up ahead, which may again see Mbappe subbed off earlier should he start. Hence, the French superstar must put on a starring role in the limited time he is on the pitch.
Prediction
Montpellier 1-2 PSG
PSG have performed poorly in the league recently, and their focus will be on the happenings in the Champions League from here on. Yet, Luis Enrique will want a concerted effort to put the league campaign beyond doubt with some considerable results, something the Parisians will hope to get against Montpellier.
While the home side comes into this clash at the back of a stunning victory over Nice, their manager will hope for a similar upset against the reigning champions of France. In any case, PSG are a lot stronger than their hosts and will take the three points.
