Despite the 2-1 victory over AS Nancy last Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain were far from their best (mostly due to injuries) and will be looking to shake off the drab performance and secure three points against FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League.
Against the Swiss outfit, Unai Emery will be hoping to have a good number of the first team players available. Basel are yet to win a game in the Champions League this season, recording a draw against PFC Ludogorets Razgrad and suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal. However, the Swiss champions are on fire domestically, with 10 wins and 1 draw in their last 11, and they’ll be hoping to cause Paris some trouble over the next two matches as both games come in quick succession.
Présents à l'entraînement du jour #PSG avec le groupe :
– Thiago Motta
– Di Maria
– Aurier
– Maxwell
– Kurzawa— ParisTeam (@Paristeamfr) October 17, 2016
Paris Saint-Germain set their targets on a first place finish in their Champions League group and maximum points will be a necessity over the two legs as the reigning French champions prepare for what could be a group-deciding match against Arsenal on November 23.
Having recorded wins over some of Europe’s elite teams in recent years, Basel have established themselves as “giant killers” and would love nothing more than to add PSG to their list of victims. It’s imperative that Emery gets his tactics right and Paris secure three points before the tricky away leg in Switzerland.
One player to keep your eye on is Edinson Cavani. After his shocking performance against Arsenal, the Uruguayan rebounded to score four goals in the very next match against Stade Malherbe Caen and has 10 total goals in six matches since for PSG.
Starting XI Prediction:
(4-3-3): Areola; Aurier, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Kurzawa; Verratti, Motta, Matuidi; Lucas, Cavani, Di Maria
Subs: Trapp, Meunier, Maxwell, Krychowiak, Rabiot, Ben Arfa, Augustin.
Score Prediction:
PSG 3-1 Basel
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Photograph by GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
