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Attendance: 47,377
PSG logo
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 26
Feb 23, 2019 at 4pm UK
 
Nimes logo

3-0

Nkunku (40'), Mbappe (69', 89')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Nimes - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides the team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Paris Saint-Germain's home Ligue 1 match with Nimes.

Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to continue their charge towards the Ligue 1 title when they welcome Nimes to the French capital on Saturday afternoon.

PSG sit 15 points clear of second-placed Lille with a game in hand, while Nimes have performed above expectations in France's top flight this season, with a total of 36 points leaving them in 10th position.


Paris Saint-Germain

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring for PSG on February 17, 2019© Reuters

Proving far too strong for the remainder of the division, PSG have won 21 of their 24 league matches this season - losing just once - to sit atop the table on 65 points heading into their 25th Ligue 1 fixture of the 2018-19 campaign.

Thomas Tuchel's side have not really needed to break a sweat in the league this season, scoring 74 times and conceding just 14. The capital giants are 15 points clear of second-placed Lille and also have a game in hand, not that it will matter too much as they close in on their eighth Ligue 1 crown.

Since suffering their first league defeat of the season against Lyon earlier this month, PSG have won five straight matches, conceding just once. That run of form included league victories over Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne and Montpellier, in addition to a 2-0 success away to Manchester United in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

It does appear that the league will take care of itself this season. Indeed, only a stunning collapse will prevent Tuchel's side from landing the title from this position, while they are also live in the Coupe de France.

The Champions League is the trophy that the French giants really want this season, though, and they are in a good position to reach the quarter-finals having recorded an impressive victory at in-form United on February 12.

The second leg of the European match will take place on March 6, but PSG have three games before that, facing Nimes and Caen in the league, in addition to a home fixture against Dijon in the Coupe de France.

The fact that PSG have been so impressive without Neymar and Edinson Cavani in recent weeks shows the depth of their squad, but it seems likely that the midfield will be strengthened in this summer's transfer window.

PSG have won all 13 of their home Ligue 1 matches this season - scoring 47 and conceding just five - which is an indication of the task facing Nimes on Saturday afternoon.

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


Nimes

Nimes attacker Rachid Alioui in action against Nantes in February 2019© Reuters

Promoted to Ligue 1 after finishing second in Ligue 2 last season, Nimes are playing top-flight football for the first time since the 1992-93 campaign and can be delighted with how they have performed this term.

Les Crocodiles have won 10 of their 25 league matches this season, drawing six and losing the other nine to gain 36 points, which is enough for 10th position in the table entering the latest round of fixtures in France's top flight.

Nimes are only actually two points off sixth-placed Montpellier, while they are a huge 16 points ahead of the relegation zone, suggesting that they will be able to enjoy at least one more campaign of Ligue 1 football.

PSG are clearly the overwhelming favourites to collect all three points this weekend, but Nimes have taken nine points from their last three league matches, drawing with Montpellier before beating Nantes and Dijon in their last two.

Bernard Blaquart's side have the sixth-best away record in Ligue 1 this season, meanwhile, having gathered 17 points on their travels, which is actually more than fourth-placed Marseille have managed.

Interestingly, there has not been one player consistently finding the back of the net for Nimes this season. Instead, no less than four individuals - Denis Bouanga, Rachid Alioui, Clement Depres and Antonin Bobichon - have four Ligue 1 goals each this term, while a number of others have also chipped in.

Operating in a balanced 4-4-2 formation during the 2018-19 campaign, the team have impressed many with their performances in recent months and will be eyeing a huge upset in the French capital on Saturday afternoon.

Recent form: LWLDWW


Team News

Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani goes down injury during a Ligue 1 clash with Bordeaux on February 9, 2019© Reuters

PSG are still without the services of Neymar and Cavani, with a foot injury keeping the former on the sidelines, while the latter is still finding it difficult to overcome a hip problem.

Thomas Meunier could return following a concussion, though, while the likes of Eric Choupo-Moting and Colin Dagba will be eyeing spots in the starting XI.

Kylian Mbappe and Angel di Maria are expected to start as the front two once again, with Marco Verratti also keeping his spot after being rested for the clash with Saint-Etienne immediately after the trip to Old Trafford.

As for Nimes, head coach Blaquart has no fresh injury concerns from the team that beat Dijon last time out.

Mustapha Diallo, though, is again expected to be unavailable due to an ankle problem.

Alioui came off the bench in the victory over Dijon and could start, but Bobichon and Baptiste Guillaume are expected to keep their positions in the final third of the field.

PSG possible starting lineup:
Buffon; Kehrer, Marquinhos, Silva, Kurzawa; Draxler, Verratti, Alves, Diaby; Di Maria, Mbappe

Nimes possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Maouassa, Landre, Briancon, Alakouch; Bobichon, Ferri, Savanier, Alioui; Bouanga, Guillaume


Head To Head

PSG recorded a 4-2 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, which was the first ever Ligue 1 clash between the two teams.

The pair have also previously locked horns in Paris, with PSG running out 3-0 winners in a Coupe de France clash back in 2007.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: PSG 3-0 Nimes

Nimes have been very impressive this season, but it is difficult to predict anything other than a comfortable home win. Mbappe to continue his excellent form in a 3-0 PSG success.



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Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring for PSG on February 17, 2019
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG26178162233959
2Brest26138536201647
3MonacoMonaco26137647361146
4Lille261110537231443
5Nice2612772720743
6Lens2612683527842
7Marseille26109740281239
8Rennes2610974031939
9Reims26115103435-138
10Lyon26104123040-1034
11Toulouse2678112936-729
12StrasbourgStrasbourg2678112839-1129
13Le HavreLe Havre2669112633-727
14Montpellier HSCMontpellier2669113140-926
15Lorient2668123549-1426
16NantesNantes2674152441-1725
17Metz2665152339-1623
18Clermont2648141943-2420

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