Paris Saint-Germain play away at EA Guingamp on Saturday and will look to continue their good form from Wednesday’s win over Lille OSC in the Coupe de la Ligue. The reigning French champions can’t overtake league leaders OGC Nice with a win but three points headed into the holiday break will bring some much-needed confidence to the squad.
Largely punching above their weight this season, Guingamp have slowed down a bit since their fast start and now sit in sixth place with just one win from their last six matches in the league. Led by former PSG manager Antoine Kombouare, there will definitely be added motivation to get his team to force a result against his former employers.
Unai Emery mentioned in his press conference that he would expect a difficult game and emphasized that his players will need to show up with a good mentality and play with a lot of intensity to secure the win. Three points will obviously keep the pressure on the teams ahead of them in the table but also quiet down calls for Emery to be sacked.
Aside from Adrien Rabiot and Javier Pastore, who are not expected to return until January, PSG will also be without Hatem Ben Arfa and Jesé Rodriguez for the game.
Starting XI Prediction
4-3-3: Areola; Aurier, Silva, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Verratti, Motta, Matuidi; Lucas, Cavani, Angel Di Maria
While Kevin Trapp, who was handed a start in the Coupe de la Ligue, is very much deserving of a run in the team as most fans will agree, the Basque manager’s management of the situation so far probably suggests he’ll still stick with Alphonse Areola.
Presnel Kimpembe, who was impressive against Lille, could be handed a place in the starting lineup to give Marquinhos a rest.
Score Prediction
EAG 0-2 PSG
A simple brace from Edinson Cavani and a long-awaited clean sheet for Areola should be enough to seal victory for PSG.
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Photograph by LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images
Starting Lineup: Areola – Aurier, Marquinhos, Silva (c), Kurzawa – Motta, Verratti, Nkunku – Di Maria, Cavani, Matuidi
Another rubbish lineup with Areola back in between the sticks and Matuidi pushed out wide against a team not considered as a top team.