Paris Saint-Germain face FC Nantes at Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday in a bid to keep within striking distance of league leaders OGC Nice.
Nantes have improved immensely since both sides met last November and now sit 11th in the table thanks to a string of four league victories on the bounce. Unai Emery’s men, who have struggled in away fixtures in the first half of the season, must be wary against the confident Canaries.
PSG are yet to lose in 2017 and have surprised many with their improved performance on the pitch (10 goals scored and zero conceded in their last three matches). Les Parisiens have a tough road ahead, nine games over the next 28 days, so it will be important for Emery to make sure there isn’t a letdown against Nantes.
Speaking of letdowns, Edinson Cavani has cooled off after recording 25 goals in the first half of the season and has yet to score in the new year. You can tell he just needs that first goal to hit the back of the net to give his confidence a boost. With a crucial UEFA Champions League matchup with Barcelona on the horizon, Paris supporters will hope that first goal of 2017 comes this Saturday.
PSG will once again be without Grzegorz Krychowiak and Javier Pastore due to injuries, while Layvin Kurzawa and Alphonse Areola join the list of those set to miss out. Wantaway Jesé Rodriguez and Jean-Kevin Augustin also make up the list of notable absentees, with Serge Aurier still away on international duty.
Starting XI Prediction
4-3-3: Trapp; Meunier, Marquinhos, Silva, Maxwell; Verratti, Motta, Rabiot; Di Maria, Cavani, Draxler
Lucas Moura’s unconvincing showing last time out may see him drop to the bench in favor of Angel Di Maria, who has improved slightly in recent matches. New signing Julian Draxler should be handed another start and it will be interesting to see if he can score in his third game for Paris since arriving earlier this month.
Score Prediction
Nantes 0-2 PSG
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