PSG will be eager to register a win and get back to the top of the Ligue 1 standings as they face a tricky away test to RC Strasbourg.
Gary O’Neil has had a sensational start following his appointment as Strasbourg’s new manager, but the next test is steep, as PSG come visiting this weekend. The departure of Liam Rosenior to Chelsea led to the BlueCo group appointing the former Bournemouth and Wolves boss at the helm, and so far, things have looked rosy.
O’Neil has started his reign in France with three straight victories, including two in Ligue 1, to help the club climb close to a Conference League spot. Should Strasbourg continue their stellar form moving ahead, they could potentially challenge for a Champions League spot if things go their way; however, they are now set to host a PSG side eager to get back on top of the charts.
PSG have endured an inconsistent Ligue 1 campaign so far, although they are very much the favourites to lift the title at the end of the season. Last weekend was the first time in a while that the Parisians finished as league leaders following RC Lens’s defeat away to Marseille.
Luis Enrique’s men secured a narrow victory over Auxerre, courtesy of a solitary Bradley Barcola strike in the 79th minute of the game. PSG have since suffered a bit of a disappointment in Europe following their 1-1 draw away at Newcastle United, which ensured they finished outside of the top eight.
For now, Enrique will focus on regaining the top spot as RC Lens’s victory over Le Havre on Friday night ensured they regained top spot, albeit playing a game more in the process. PSG will want to gain an advantage in the league, which, like last season, could allow them total focus on the Champions League, although at the moment, they must find a way against Strasbourg to regain the lead at the top.
Team News & Tactics
RC Strasbourg
Gary O’Neil is set to assess a few of his key stars ahead of the encounter, with Emanuel Emegha chief among them, as he could miss another game with a leg injury. Meanwhile, Mathis Amougou is also nursing an ankle issue, while Andrew Omobamidele is a doubt with a calf problem.
There are also concerns over Maxi Oyedele, who has a muscle issue to deal with and might sit out of this encounter. O’Neil will rely on his recent performers to get a result in this game, with Mamadou Sarr and Ismael Doukoure set to feature in the heart of the defense. Guela Doue and Ben Chilwell are likely to be the full-backs for Strasbourg.
Samir El Mourabet and Abdoul Ouattara will feature in the midfield, and the attacking setup will be familiar compared to the last few games. Joaquin Panichelli is up to 11 goals in the competition, second only to Marseille’s Mason Greenwood, as he would once again lead the line for Strasbourg against PSG, while Julio Enciso and Martial Godo also feature in the attacking third.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Penders; Doue, Sarr, Doukoure, Chilwell; Mourabet, Ouattara; Moreira, Enciso, Godo; Panichelli
PSG
PSG have their share of injury issues to deal with as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is out of the game after hurting his ankle against Newcastle United in midweek. The extent of the injury remains unclear, as Luis Enrique will want his key attacker back at the earliest.
Quentin Ndjantou Mbitcha is a doubt with a hamstring issue, while Lee Kang-in is unlikely to feature with a thigh issue. Fabian Ruiz is also dealing with a knee issue, and while he is yet to be ruled out, there are significant doubts over his participation on Sunday. Illia Zabarnyi and Willian Pacho are expected to feature at the back for PSG against Strasbourg, with Enrique now able to use his first-choice full-backs in Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.
The former’s return has relegated Warren Zaire-Emery to a bench role despite performing admirably in the Moroccan’s absence. Whether Enrique considers him in the midfield remains to be seen, especially with Ruiz likely to miss out. Zaire-Emery could play alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves there, while Senny Mayulu is also an option there.
In the attacking third, Enrique could potentially go with Goncalo Ramos up top, but at the moment, he might once again start Ousmane Dembele, while Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola also feature in the front three for PSG against Strasbourg.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Barcola
Key Stats
- Strasbourg are unbeaten in their last eight games across all competitions.
- Strasbourg have won six of their last nine games on home soil.
- Paris Saint-Germain have scored at least two goals in nine of their last 11 matches against Strasbourg in all competitions.
- PSG are undefeated in 16 of their last 17 matches against Strasbourg in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Bradley Barcola
The French winger proved his worth with a deserved winner against Auxerre last weekend, which took PSG top of the table. Now, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia facing an injury issue, Bradley Barcola has a big chance to make his claim on the left-wing spot moving forward.
Another top performance would do him a world of good, especially from his preferred left wing space. The idea of performing at the top level against a tricky outfit like Strasbourg will put Barcola to the test, although he is someone Enrique might rely on and would want a big display from his winger.
Prediction
RC Strasbourg 1-1 PSG
Strasbourg are in a good space at the moment with regards to their performances, with Gary O’Neil able to get a tune out of this squad. The manager could once again use the momentum to his side’s favour and try and squeeze out a result against title-chasing PSG.
PSG would be reeling from their disappointing performance against Newcastle United in midweek. While they will want to show a response with a win over Strasbourg, the prospect of playing another high-intensity game could work against them. While the result in this clash can go either way, it is plausible that this game ends in a draw.
