PSG make a tricky trip to face Stade Reims in Ligue 1 on Saturday, as Luis Enrique will be eager to keep their 100% record.
Reims face a tricky test at home against PSG as new manager Luka Elsner will aim to keep their decent start of the season going. Reims have a decent good record against the reigning champions, managing three draws in their last four meetings in Ligue 1.
Elsner will be overall pleased with the way the team has begun the season under his tutelage, with the manager joining Reims in the close season after helping Le Havre avoid relegation. The new campaign started with a 2-0 home loss to LOSC Lille, but they have since managed a draw against Marseille while gaining identical 2-1 wins over Rennes and Nantes.
If PSG are top of the league with 12 points, it is partially because of Reims following their 2-2 draw against Marseille. In any case, they will want to make a statement of sorts this season and probably target a top-four place or at least a European berth, as Elsner will look for a positive result against the Parisians.
Luis Enrique will have returned home a happy man over in midweek as PSG began their UEFA Champions League campaign in fine form. The performances still left a lot to be desired as it took an own goal from Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga to secure them the three points, something the manager will take without hesitation.
PSG have begun their Ligue 1 campaign with flying colours, with a 100% record on the cards. Enrique will want to maintain this run and keep their lead at the top of the standings. The Spanish coach will also have a bone to pick with Reims, having dropped points to them last season.
Team News & Tactics
Stade Reims
Luka Elsner has few issues, as Martin Adeline is the only player missing from the squad ahead of this clash with PSG. The manager will look to field his best eleven in the home clash against the Parisians, as a positive result will he on his mind.
Hence, an attacking 4-3-3 should be on the cards for Stade Reims, with the match-winner against Nantes, Keito Nakamura, likely to be handed a start in this clash against PSG. Reims boss Elsner will rely on continuity and keep the partnership between Cedric Kipre and Emmanuel Agbadou intact in the heart of his defence.
Meanwhile, Teddy Teuma looks set for a sustained run in this team’s midfield. Teuma partners Valentin Edoa and Marshall Munetsi there. Nakamura will play on the right with Junya Ito on the left, while Oumar Diakite leads the line for Reims.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Diouf; Buta, Kipre, Agbadou, Sangui; Munetsi, Edoa, Teuma; Nakamura, Diakite, Ito
PSG
PSG will continue to miss Gianluigi Donnarumma, who sustained an injury against Brest and subsequently missed the UEFA Champions League opener. Matvey Safonov deputised for the Italian in goal, and he will be given the keys again when they face Reims.
There are further injury issues with Enrique’s squad, as Lucas Hernandez and Goncalo Ramos are long-term absentees. At the same time, there are doubts about Desire Doue and Vitinha’s participation at the weekend. Joao Neves could come into the lineup for his compatriot Vitinha to partner Warren Zaire-Emery and Fabian Ruiz there.
Willian Pacho and Marquinhos represent PSG’s best defensive pair for the time being and could continue their partnership here. Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi are best placed to play in the full-back roles. Despite drawing blanks in midweek, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele are set for starts, with Randal Kolo Muani leading the line for the Parisians.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Neves, Ruiz; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Barcola
Key Stats
- Stade Reims are unbeaten in three of their last four games against PSG in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain have won their last six matches in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain have scored at least three goals in their last four matches in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain have kept a clean sheet in their last five away matches against Reims in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Ousmane Dembele
After two goals against Brest and one on the opening day versus Le Havre, Dembele has had a bright start to the campaign. He also provided three assists in the games against Montpellier and LOSC Lille, meaning the Frenchman has had one of the most electric starts to his time this season. However, things did look bleak for the winger when facing Girona in midweek, and Luis Enrique will hope it is only a blip.
Dembele has significant shoes to fill in terms of adding to the goalscoring burden due to the exit of Kylian Mbappe. A good performance against Reims will bring retain the confidence in the winger, especially with some challenging games coming up, including a trip to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League, something Enrique will have his total focus on.
Prediction
Stade Reims 1-2 PSG
Reims may have managed to stay unbeaten against PSG in three of their last four encounters in Ligue 1, but this season, the Parisians are a different gravy. Luka Elsner will want a positive result on board and has the confidence after two wins on the bounce before heading to this game.
PSG, on the other hand, are in a supreme vein of form after four wins from as many Ligue 1 games this season and will look for a fifth to maintain their 100% record. The gulf in the quality of the two squads will play the most significant role in determining a winner, as PSG might continue to concede goals but have the firepower to collect three points away at Reims.
