PSG will hope to take one giant step towards the Ligue 1 title as they host basement club Clermont Foot at Parc des Princes.
Considering the most common belief at this stage of the Ligue 1 season, PSG will certainly be fixated on the UEFA Champions League encounter with Barcelona next week instead of the Ligue 1 clash this weekend against Clermont Foot. After years of persistence and no results, their Qatari owners care about the elusive European trophy.
Since the last round and the period before that, Luis Enrique has done all he can to protect some of his best players from these European showdowns, including Kylian Mbappe. However, before they take on Barcelona, the Parisians may take a big step towards the domestic title.
PSG need only three more wins to confirm their status as Ligue 1 champions for another season, and then they need to focus entirely on matters in Europe. Hence, Enrique will expect his side to take all three points against basement club Clermont Foot at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.
Clermont Foot are seven points away from safety, and nobody in their right mind will bet on them to survive the relegation ordeal this season. With a drop to the second division almost on the horizon, a loss to PSG will make any lingering hope for the basement club vanish in thin air.
No club with as many points as Clermont Foot (20) has survived in Ligue 1 history, and Clermont might not make history by becoming the first to do so. Hence, the players and their manager will undoubtedly want to end the season on a high note and play for pride from here on, but getting something away at PSG will be a task too far for the basement club to achieve.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
Luis Enrique might rotate his key players heavily after their midweek cup clash. One of those could be Kylian Mbappe, who might still feature off the bench at some stage to keep his match sharpness.
There are a few injury concerns, with defenders Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa, and Lucas Beraldo out of the contest, with the latter serving a suspension. Warren Zaire-Emery is also doubtful, while winger Bradley Barcola is certainly out with a hamstring problem.
Fabian Ruiz and Lee Kang-in might play midfield roles besides Manuel Ugarte. Nuno Mendez and Achraf Hakimi could support central defenders Marquinhos and Danilo Pereira at the back, with Keylor Navas set to feature in goal.
Goncalo Ramos could lead the line, with Ousmane Dembele the likely choice on the right wing. Randal Kolo Muani might feature on the left in place of Mbappe.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Navas; Hakimi, pereira, Marquinhos, Mendes; Kang-In, Ugarte, Ruiz; Dembele, Ramos, Kolo Muani
Clermont Foot
Elbasan Rashani will not feature for Clermont in this crucial fixture due to a suspension. The visitors could also be without Maxime Gonalons and Cheick Oumar Konate, with the duo significant doubts for the trip to Paris.
The bottom-placed Ligue 1 side does have some positives to dwell upon, with Neto Borges and Johan Gastien available again for selection. The latter will feature in central midfield, while Borges is primed to slot in the back three alongside Chrislain Matsima and Andy Pelmard.
Clermont Foot will continue with their formation of using wing-backs, with Mehdi Zeffane and Yoel Armougom the preferred options on either flank. Gastien will partner with Habib Keita in central midfield. Muhammed Cham and Jim Allevinah will play in the attacking roles behind central striker Shamar Nicholson.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Diaw; Matisma, Pelmard, Borges; Zeffane, Gastien, Keita, Armougom; Cham, Allevinah; Nicholson
Key Stats
- Paris Saint-Germain have scored at least two goals in 17 of their last 20 matches in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain are undefeated in their last 22 matches in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saing Germain could win the Ligue 1 title with three more wins.
- Clermont Foot have conceded 15 goals in their three games against PSG.
- In the last nine Ligue 1 matchdays, Clermont has scored the fewest points and goals and conceded the most.
Player to Watch
Goncalo Ramos
The Portuguese international may have come to a point in the season where he has to make a massive mark on Enrique ahead of the late run-in. PSG will want all their players mentally ready for the Champions League campaign more than anything, and Ramos has to bring more to the table.
Ramos, despite his hefty price tag, has not produced a big season. His return of ten goals across all competitions certainly does not justify the club’s outlay. These games against teams like Clermont could be a chance for the striker to prove his worth and increase his numbers to a respectable level.
Prediction
PSG 2-0 Clermont Foot
There are few expectations from Clermont Foot to deliver a surprise performance against PSG despite the Parisians seemingly being more focused on their European campaign. Yet, the basement club are not strong enough to hurt the Ligue 1 leaders at this stage, as Enrique will not tolerate any lapses in their performances.
In fact, Enrique will want a solid showing against Clermont to keep his confidence high ahead of the game against Barcelona next week. While he would want to manage his players’ health, a modest 2-0 win would satisfy the Spanish manager.