Paris Saint-Germain play host to Nice in Ligue 1 on Saturday afternoon looking to improve on a run of just one win from six matches in all competitions.
Nice make the trip to Parc des Princes looking for the positive result which will keep them in the hunt for a place in next season's Europa League.
Paris Saint-Germain
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Thomas Tuchel has witnessed his side coast to a successful defence of their league crown this season, but their recent form could potentially lead to Tuchel being removed from his position in the summer.
Tuchel was already under pressure due to the club's exit from the Champions League at the last-16 stage, but defeat in the Coupe de France final has left PSG with just the top-flight crown to show for their season.
Letting slip a two-goal lead against Rennes before losing out in a penalty shootout was followed by a 3-2 setback at Montpellier in Ligue 1, leaving PSG with just one success since April 3.
The manner of those defeats is likely to concern Tuchel, whose team are seemingly making a habit of losing from winning positions, and the German needs to find a solution before the end of the campaign.
The remaining four games are relatively favourable with Nice theoretically providing their toughest test at the weekend, but Tuchel will hold a desire to put on four professional performances to satisfy the decision-makers behind the scenes.
Neymar has made a successful return from injury in recent weeks, but the Brazil international is still attempting to get up to speed having spent a number of months on the sidelines.
The attacker will continue to be provided with opportunities to improve his match fitness ahead of this summer's Copa America, but Tuchel will place emphasis on rotating his squad as he considers his options ahead of the next campaign.
Nevertheless, Tuchel is aware that this run of results cannot continue if he wants to be given a second year in France's capital.
Recent form: WDLLWL
Recent form (all competitions): DLLWDL
Nice
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Patrick Vieira has not enjoyed the perfect first season in charge of Nice, but the former France international has put the club in a position where they can achieve European football for the next campaign.
A total of 11 points have been registered from their most recent six outings in Ligue 1, and it has lifted Nice into seventh position in the league standings.
A minus goal difference could potentially cause problems for Les Aiglons, but Vieira's side only sit three points adrift of fourth-placed Saint-Etienne.
Nice still have to travel to Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, but their fate may only remain in their own hands if they can pick up a positive result against PSG.
The champions coasted to a 3-0 success in the reverse fixture back in September, but Nice have now developed into a stronger outfit who are proving hard to beat at the back.
Just four goals have been conceded in their last nine matches, and Vieira will feel that his defence is capable of nullifying PSG's attack on away soil.
Nice do need to improve in the final third, however, with each of their three goals against Guingamp last weekend coming through versatile wideman Youcef Atal.
The Algerian is now the club's joint top-goalscorer in Ligue 1 with six strikes, and it highlights the need for Allan Saint-Maximin to rediscover his scoring touch during the run-in.
Recent form: DWWDLW
Team News
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Edinson Cavani has played a limited role for PSG in recent weeks due to injury, but the Uruguay international could return to the starting lineup this weekend.
Tuchel may opt to use Cavani in a front three with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, but Angel Di Maria potentially misses out due to injury.
Marco Verratti is another player who should come back into the team after missing the Montpellier defeat, but PSG will be without Thomas Meunier, Thilo Kehrer and Thiago Silva.
Vieira will consider handing starting roles to Ignatius Ganago and Danilo after they made substitute outings in the last game with Guingamp.
However, the Arsenal legend must decide whether to keep Ihsan Sacko in the middle of his front three.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Buffon; Dagba, Marquinhos, Kimpembe; Alves, Verratti, Paredes, Kurzawa; Mbappe, Cavani, Neymar
Nice possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Burner, Herelle, Dante, Sarr; Lees-Melou, Tameze, Makengo; Saint-Maximin, Sacko, Atal
Head To Head
PSG have prevailed in the last three encounters between the two clubs, with eight goals and two clean sheets coming from those fixtures.
However, Nice have had recent success against PSG, with a 3-1 triumph being registered at their home ground in April 2017.
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Nice
Nice have made a habit of keeping things tight at the back all season, but it remains to be seen whether that can continue that against PSG. Tuchel's side have had their problems, but we are backing the champions to battle their way to a narrow success.
Darren Plant
