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PSG logo
Ligue 1
May 23, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Reims

3-2

Cavani (31', 83'), Rabiot (45')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Mandi (54'), Kyei (89')

Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Reims

Sports Mole previews the Ligue 1 match between champions Paris Saint-Germain and Reims at Parc des Princes.

Already-crowned champions Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to finish their season with a flourish when they host Reims on the final day in Ligue 1 this weekend.

They face a side that have only recently secured their place in the top flight, and will be looking to finish on a high note with a third straight win.



Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Maxwell is congratuled by teammates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lille on April 25, 2015© Getty Images

Laurent Blanc's side come into this match fresh from putting their title success beyond doubt with a 2-1 victory over Montpellier last time out, handing them the title for a third straight year.

Despite having already secured the silverware, the hosts will be keen to finish with a victory, having won their last eight league fixtures in a row.

Talk has already turned to PSG's transfer activity over the last couple of weeks, with the French champions being linked with the likes of Juventus's Paul Pogba and record Manchester United signing Angel di Maria, although Financial Fair Play rules are likely to restrict their summer spending.

PSG should not have any problems keeping hold of players this summer, as the club have been named the highest-paying side in the world this week, above the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid.

One player that the side has already missed on out is Memphis Depay, who completed his medical with Manchester United this week, with Louis van Gaal having claimed that he had to sign the Dutch international to prevent PSG capturing him first.

Paris certainly do not need to make too many additions to their attack force, with the club having scored 80 goals in the league so far, seven more than next-highest scorers Marseille.

The team has had problems in defence though, keeping just 13 clean sheets, compared with AS Monaco who have 19, while conceding 34 times.

Recent form: WWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): LWWWWW



Reims

Reim's players celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Evian and Reims on May 9, 2015© Getty Images

Reims come into this match with three wins from their last five outings, which has helped the side secure their spot in the top flight for another season.

Olivier Guegan's side sit 14th in the table, seven points clear of the drop zone, with a chance to climb as high as 11th with victory this weekend should they beat the champions.

Guegan has only been in charge of the side for just over a month, having replaced Jean-Luc Vasseur when he was fired in April, but the former assistant coach has had an impact, winning half of his six fixtures since taking the reins.

Reims's struggles this season have largely been down to their defensive performances, conceding more goals than any other side in the league, while keeping just nine clean sheets.

They have performed well in front of goal though, netting 45 times in their 37 fixtures so far, which is just five fewer than third-placed AS Monaco, and more than the likes of Guingamp and Lille.

Reims could suffer their lowest-placed finish in Ligue 1 since winning promotion back to the top flight in 2012, having finished 14th and 11th respectively in their last two campaigns.

Recent form: LWLLWW



Team News

Paris Saint-Germain's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group F football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Ajax Amsterdam on November 25, 2014© Getty Images

Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed last weekend's win over Montpellier with a calf problem, and with the title already in the bag, Blanc could surely consider resting the club's top scorer if he is not fully fit for this match.

Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti both missed last Sunday's outing through suspension, but are both able to return this weekend for the home side.

Meanwhile, Defender Anthony Weber and midfielder Antoine Devaux both missed last weekend with knocks for Reims, and remain a doubt for this weekend's trip to Parc des Princes.

One player who seems certain to start though is striker David Ngog, who admitted in his pre-match press conference that he is looking forward to returning to PSG, having started his career with the club.

PSG possible starting lineup:
Sirigu, Silva, Maxwell, Luiz, Motta, Cabaye, Matuidi, Rabiot, Verratti, Cabani, Lavezzi

Reims possible starting lineup:
Agassa, Fofana, Signorino, Mandi, Conte, Fortes, Oniangue, Diego, Albaek, Charbonnier, Ngog



Head To Head

Reims claimed a surprising 2-2 draw when they faced the champions on the opening day of the season back in August in just their fifth meeting with PSG.

The visitors' only win over PSG came back in 2013, when they held on for a 1-0 win over the champions, despite finishing the match with 10 men.

The other three meetings between these two sides have all been won by PSG.


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We say: Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Reims

Despite both sides not really having a great deal to play for in this fixture, Blanc will be eager for his side to extend their winning run to nine matches in the league. Even with Zlatan Ibrahimovic carrying an injury and the possibility that the manager may rest players, PSG should have enough quality to wrap up a comfortable victory.



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Paris Saint-Germain's coach Laurent Blanc reacts during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Lyon (OL) on December 1, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG312010176294770
2MonacoMonaco30177656381858
3Lille311510645271855
4Brest30158744291553
5Nice3013983324948
6Lens30137103932746
7Rennes30119104436842
8Marseille30101194537841
9Lyon30125133949-1041
10Reims30117123741-440
11Toulouse30910113639-337
12Montpellier HSCMontpellier31911113943-437
13StrasbourgStrasbourg3099123341-836
14NantesNantes3195172949-2032
15Le HavreLe Havre31611143041-1129
16Metz3185183251-1929
17Lorient3068163659-2326
18Clermont30410162149-2822


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