Match Preview: PSG Host Toulouse in First Match Since Barca Beatdown

Still buzzing after Tuesday night’s historic 4-0 win over FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain will have to turn their attention back to Ligue 1 where things are getting very interesting at the top of the table. Victory over Toulouse FC on Sunday will see PSG close the gap and move within one point of league leaders AS Monaco.

Toulouse currently sit in 9th place but have recently rounded into form by recording two wins in their last three matches. Pascal Dupraz’s side handed Paris a humbling 2-0 defeat earlier in the season and played a key role in causing some unrest within the team and forcing Unai Emery to make some crucial changes.

A lot has changed since the last time both teams met though. Toulouse are challenging for European qualification and Paris have yet to lose in 2017 and are coming off one of the best performances in club history. I have no doubt TFC will come to the Parc des Princes ready to put up a fight and Dupraz will make sure his men have all the motivation they need to get a result. There’s even been a bit of banter on social media:

Much like every league game, it will be PSG’s to lose, especially at home, and there’s no excuse not to secure all three points. A strong performance to follow-up the Barcelona thrashing is paramount in order to avoid doubts creeping in once more. Every match from here on out is vital and it will be important for the team to maintain a high level of performance throughout the rest of the season.

Missing for PSG will be Thiago Silva and Angel Di Maria both due to injury. Grzegorz Krychowiak, who has been out of the side for much of the season, also misses out after asking to be made available for the reserve team following a lack of opportunities to play due to competition within the squad.

More interesting, though, is the inclusion of Javier Pastore, who has now made the squad list for the second match in a row for the first time in awhile. Hopefully the Argentine can maintain this consistency for the rest of the season and end on a strong note.

Starting XI Prediction

(4-3-3) Trapp; Aurier, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Maxwell; Rabiot, Motta, Matuidi; Lucas, Cavani, Draxler.

Emery hinted that there will be some changes, however, I can’t imagine there will be massive turnover from the Barcelona match in this one. I expect direct replacements for injured players as well as those who might be suffering a bit through the congested schedule.

Score Prediction

PSG 3-1 Toulouse

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Tags Adrien Rabiot Angel Di Maria Blaise Matuidi Edinson Cavani Grzegorz Krychowiak Javier Pastore Julian Draxler Kevin Trapp Ligue 1 Lucas Moura Marquinhos Maxwell Presnel Kimpembe Thiago Motta Thiago Silva Toulouse Unai Emery
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