Paris Saint-Germain can confirm their status as Ligue 1 champions if they win over relegation-threatened Le Havre at home.
Luis Enrique would have instructed his players to wrap up the domestic season as soon as possible so that they could focus their entire effort on the Champions League. On paper, neutrals might feel Paris Saint-Germain have a brilliant chance to get to the final as they take on Borussia Dortmund. But games are not won on paper, and PSG must work towards achieving that, although their next focus is Le Havre.
On the domestic front, PSG have been relentless as they have been atop the table since Matchday 12 and have not looked like conceding that lead. On Saturday, they can close the chapter on yet another Ligue 1 season and be crowned champions should they manage a victory over Le Havre.
Their last three games in all competitions have ended in a 4-1 victory, including their midweek clash against Lorient away from home. Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe scored a brace each in the contest, which has taken PSG to the cusp of another league title.
Le Havre might face the brunt of a polished PSG team and feel they will get no preferential treatment, considering what happened to fellow relegation battlers Lorient in midweek. For Luka Elsner’s side, things are not looking good in terms of their survival, as more than their points gap with Metz, the form is of significant concern.
They have one victory in their 15 away games this season and have already lost to their nearest relegation rivals above them in the table, namely Metz. They might only have a minor gap of a single point from Metz. But with four games left to play, the pressure is truly on Elsner’s side to deliver an improbable objective: to stay alive.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
Luis Enrique could reshuffle his pack to keep some of his players well-rested and fresh for the UEFA Champions League. Hence, wholesale changes are expected, and some players have moved to different positions.
Once again, Enrique might rest Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele for this encounter, as well as Milan Skriniar and Marquinhos. At the back, Lucas Beraldo and Danilo Pereira could form the central defensive partnership, with Lucas Hernandez moving to the left-back slot, while Nordi Mukiele at right back.
Enrique gave 17-year-old Senny Mayulu a start in the midfield against Lorient. He could again play the teenager on the right side of his midfield three alongside Manuel Ugarte and Marco Asensio. Goncalo Ramos could continue leading the line for PSG, as Enrique might add Randal Kolo Muani instead of Dembele while shifting Lee Kang-in to the left side of the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Navas; Mukiele, Pereira, Beraldo, Hernandez; Mayulu, Ugarte, Asensio; Kolo Muani, Ramos, Lee
Le Havre
Luka Elsner will likely tweak his system from their narrow home defeat to Metz, as he could revert to a back three instead of the four defenders he played in that game. Additionally, he will welcome erstwhile suspended trio Christopher Operi, Abdoulaye Toure, and Andre Ayew.
Ayew will lead the line, and Operi, taking his place on the left side of the back three, will see the duo immediately return, while Toure could feature in central midfield. Arouna Sangante and Etienne Youte Kinkoue will feature in the back three alongside Operi.
In terms of injuries, Andy Logbo has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and beyond with a cruciate ligament tear, while Oussama Targhalline will miss at least a couple of weeks with a sprained ankle.
The returning Toure can take Targhalline’s place in midfield alongside Daler Kuzyaev. With Ayew leading the line, he will have Yassine Kechta and Emmanuel Sabbi join him in the attacking third as Le Havre hopes to penetrate the formidable PSG backline.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Desmas; Sangante, Youte, Operi; Nego, Kuzyaev, Toure, Hajjam; Kechta, Sabbi; Ayew
Key Stats
- Paris Saint-Germain are undefeated in their last 25 matches in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain have won their last eight matches against Le Havre in all competitions.
- Paris Saint-Germain can confirm their status as Ligue 1 champions with a win over Le Havre.
- Le Havre have lost 8 of their last ten matches in Ligue 1.
- Le Havre have won once in their last 15 away games in Ligue 1.
Player to Watch
Goncalo Ramos
The striker had endured an indifferent season since moving to PSG from Benfica after a slow start to life in the French capital. He has revived his season, particularly in Ligue 1, as seven of his ten goals have come since February.
He is yet to break his duck for PSG in the UEFA Champions League and will have his eyes set on a starting berth when they take on Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals. Hence, Ramos must take his chances whenever they come in handy, as he has minimal time to impress Enrique when he selects his Champions League lineup.
Prediction
PSG 4-0 Le Havre
The visitors are in a dismal run of form and will have to consider life in Ligue 2, as they have limited time to turn things around. At a crucial stage in their season, with four games left to escape relegation, they will not welcome a trip to Paris, as there’s only one clear winner in this fixture.
PSG are in relentless form and are eager to sweep some of their lowly Ligue 1 opponents aside. After a stellar victory over Lorient, the Parisians will again end the game with a big scoreline, with the probability of keeping a clean sheet this time.
