Ligue 1 Gameweek 16
Dec 4, 2019 8.05pm
2
0
HT : 0 0
FT Parc des Princes (Paris)
  • Julian Draxler 34' yellowcard
  • Kylian Mbappe 52' goal
  • Neymar 85' goal
  • yellowcard Mehdi Abeid 29'
  • yellowcard Kader Bamba 39'

How Paris Saint-Germain could line up against Nantes

How Paris Saint-Germain could line up against Nantes

Paris Saint-Germain will look to maintain their healthy lead at the top of Ligue 1 when they host Nantes at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

Thomas Tuchel's side, whose meeting with Monaco on Sunday was postponed due to bad weather, can restore their lead over Marseille to eight points on Wednesday.

They come up against a Nantes side that beat the Ligue 1 champions 3-2 in April but whose last win in Paris came back in November 2002.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how PSG could line up for this fixture.


Out: Marco Verratti (thigh), Ander Herrera (thigh), Loic Mbe Soh (groin), Eric Choupo-Moting (back) Doubtful: None

Following another injury to Verratti, Tuchel will be mindful of the amount of playing time he gives to his key players between now and February, when the Champions League knockout phases begin.

As a result, the German is likely to give the nod to Colin Dagba in the right-back role due to Thomas Meunier battling with a few injuries already this term.

On the other side, however, Tuchel will want to continue handing opportunities to Juan Bernat amid fears of rushing Layvin Kurzawa - another player to recently return from injury - too soon, with the Frenchman likely to come off the bench.

Abdou Diallo, who has made 11 Ligue 1 appearances this term, should once again come into the starting XI in place of captain Thiago Silva.

Further forward, injuries to both Herrera and Verratti - two players who are considered starters - means that Tuchel has less choice in that area, and will almost certainly leave the defensive role to Marquinhos.

Idrissa Gueye, another player to have injury concerns, will play a big role as he has done throughout the campaign, although this is one player who could come off early as Tuchel looks to keep him fresh.

Julian Draxler, on the other hand, is a shoe-in to start the game after a string of very impressive performances in Ligue 1 in recent weeks - including a wonderful assist against Brest.

While others may be protected, Neymar will almost beg to start this game following a prolonged period on the sidelines this term, with the omnipresent Angel Di Maria providing width down the other side and linking up with Draxler in that left channel.

Another player who PSG cannot afford to lose to injury is Kylian Mbappe, whose hamstring problems have been a concern since the summer. The 20-year-old has a superb replacement in Mauro Icardi, who has six goals in seven Ligue 1 appearances this term.

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