Paris Saint-Germain return to cup action on Wednesday as they welcome FC Metz to the Parc des Princes for the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue. It’s been a good run of games for Unai Emery and his squad but they must look to make quick work of struggling les Grenats.
Metz, who currently sit in 19th place in Ligue 1, are fresh off a defeat to second division outfit RC Lens in the Coupe de France and have to be expecting the worst as PSG have scored a combined 12 goals in their last two competitive matches.
Paris will be without Javier Pastore and Grzegorz Krychowiak due to injury and Serge Aurier who is participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. Also missing from the squad list is Layvin Kurzawa, Julian Draxler, Jean-Kevin Augustin, and loan-bound Jesé Rodríguez.
Starting XI Prediction
4-3-3: Areola; Meunier, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Maxwell; Verratti, Rabiot, Matuidi; Lucas, Cavani, Nkunku
Emery will likely rotate his squad following the 7-0 triumph against SC Bastia over the weekend. However, supporters should expect to see Edinson Cavani return to lead the attack while Alphonse Areola takes his place between the pipes.
Emery suggests Alphonse Areola will start in goal vs. Metz in order to keep giving confidence to both goalkeepers. #PSGFCM #CdL
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) January 10, 2017
Angel Di Maria may still have to settle for a spot on the bench once more though. The Argentine has looked his best as a substitute recently and Emery may want to continue to coax the best from the player with the newly introduced competition.
Score Prediction
PSG 5-0 Metz
Paris Saint-Germain have been on fire in front of goal of late and I expect that to continue against Metz.
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Keeping Fideo on the bench in the short term will work well as a motivational tool, especially with the acquisition of Drax. Allowing him to come off the bench and give his all in a bid to win back his place, will do wonders for the team.
Areola should only get the Cup matches for now, as I believe the team has more confidence in the German.
I like the midfield prediction, but I hope it morphs into a 4-2-3-1 with Lo Celso as the 10 at some point late in the match, hopefully when we’re up by a bunch.