Paris Saint-Germain will look to make it four away wins in a row when they visit Strasbourg in the Ligue 1. Last time out, Luis Enrique’s team let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw with Brest. Their hosts also had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw against Clermont at home.
Preview (Strasbourg vs. Paris Saint-Germain)
Strasbourg defeated Les Lanciers 3-1 at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied to eliminate them from the Coupe de France seven days before they faced off against Clermont in the premier flight. However, it was clear that their hosts had taken a few lessons from that disappointing knockout loss. After a close-range goal from Moise Sahi Dion put Strasbourg on the verge of back-to-back victories over Clermont. Shamar Nicholson grabbed a defense-splitting pass from Bilal Boutobba and scored into the top corner. It gave Pascal Gastien’s team a point with 52 minutes remaining.
Les Lanciers saw a few chances for Clermont to win big. They were squandered as Strasbourg returned home after going eight games without a loss. It is a far cry from their September and October losses. Vieira’s solid team is cruising through mid-table obscurity in an unimpressive 10th place after gaining 12 points from their past six Ligue 1 games. Les Coureurs are nine points clear of both Monaco in fourth place and Lyon in the relegation playoff spot.
However, Vieira’s highly effective team shouldn’t be worrying about their future just now. They only need to catch up to Reims in the Europa Conference League spot with five points left. The hosts welcome PSG to their Stade de la Meinau base on the heels of an incredible 10-match league and cup scoring streak. The reigning champions, were supposedly cruising to victory against surprise package Brest. They had a far more prolific sequence than Strasbourg’s. Despite not being able to win six straight games in all competitions, the Ligue 1 holders are surprisingly six points ahead of Nice at the top with a far better goal differential.
Team News
Saidou Sow, Strasbourg’s lone representative in the Africa Cup of Nations. He has advanced to the quarterfinals with Guinea and will not play for Les Coureurs. They should be fielding the same group of players who were involved in their draw with Clermont. Due to a muscle strain, former PSG attacker Kevin Gameiro is probably not going to be able to rejoin his former employers. Jeremy Sebas, Ismael Doukoure, and Lubo Mothiba are all limited to the medical bay. Gerzino Nyamsi will be a strong contender to return to the starting lineup in a back five. Thomas Delaine will pose a danger to Frederic Guilbert’s position on the left.
Regarding PSG, Achraf Hakimi’s Morocco is eliminated from the AFCON after a shocking 2-0 loss to South Africa in the round of 16. It is unknown if he’ll be picked for Friday’s match. While Layvin Kurzawa (back), Milan Skriniar (ankle), Nuno Mendes (hamstring), Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles), and Sergio Rico (head trauma) are all out with injuries, PSG’s main threat against Brest, Barcola, who was suspended, is still in the running for the Asian Cup. Meanwhile, Lee Kang-in’s South Korea is still in the running for the title.
Strasbourg 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain
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