Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

PSGvs.Strasbourg

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 October 2024, 12:16
Luis Enrique will be looking for a response from his Paris Saint-Germain side when they host Strasbourg in the Saturday night game in Ligue 1 this weekend.

The French champions relinquished top spot shortly before the international break, as Monaco pounced on PSG's inability to get past Nice.

Match preview

A 1-1 draw away at the Allianz Riviera in the final Ligue 1 match before the international break saw PSG lose their grip on first place for the first time this season, and it could have been worse had it not been for a Moise Bombito own goal which saw the Parisians equalise in the second half.

An inability to keep tight defensively could end up being costly if Monaco's excellent start continues too, as the club from the principality have the joint-best defensive record so far, a department that PSG are currently lacking in.

Enrique has seen his side concede in 12 of their last 14 league outings, and losing the goals of Kylian Mbappe means that they cannot simply rely on outscoring their opposition any more.

After three games without a win on the road, PSG will be glad to be back on home soil here, but they will have to rectify those issues away from the Parc des Princes with Le Classique on the horizon next week away to a Marseille side also going well under Roberto De Zerbi.

The hosts have got the job done in front of the Parc des Princes faithful so far though, as three points here will see them win their first four league games of a season for just the fourth time in the 21st century.

All the stats suggest the club from the capital will do so as well, as they have never lost a home league game against Strasbourg in 33 meetings - winning 26 - the most against any single opponent without losing.

The Alsace club will be no pushovers though if they can replicate the performances they have showcased already this season.

Just one defeat from their opening seven games is the best by Strasbourg since 1995, when they also lost only once to begin the campaign, and it will give them belief that they can take a shot at Europe again, like they did in the 2022-23 season.

Last year was a struggle, as Strasbourg went from European hopefuls to relegation candidates, but sitting in the top seven currently suggests no such fears will exist this time around.

To truly challenge for the European places though, manager Liam Rosenior knows he must improve his team's away form, as no team has won fewer Ligue 1 games on the road in 2024 than Strasbourg's one.

It is not for the want of trying though, as Strasbourg have been rather unfortunate in their last two outings away from home, leading 3-1 in Lyon and 3-2 at Lille but ending up with just one point from the two games.

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form:

W

W

W

D

W

D

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

L

D

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:

W

L

D

D

W

D

Team News

PSG's entire starting XI from the draw with Nice were away on international duty, but some players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Warren Zaire-Emery and Joao Neves did not feature in the second of their respective nation's matches.

Defensive trio Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho may be slightly fatigued as they all had to travel back from South America following matches played in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Also at the back, Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe are currently sidelined, while Goncalo Ramos is unlikely to feature until 2025 due to an ankle injury.

Both Guela Doue and Ismael Doukoure are suspended for visitors Strasbourg after they picked up yellow cards in their draw with Lens last time out.

Rosenior will have to make do without as many as six first-team players for this trip to the capital because of injury, while it is unlikely Thomas Delaine will be fit to return in time either.

The player to look out for will be winger Sebastian Nanasi, who scored twice for Sweden against Estonia on Monday, and has already contributed to five goals in a Strasbourg shirt since making the move from Malmo over the summer.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Zaire-Emery; Marco Asensio, Kolo Muani, Barcola

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Sobol, Sow, Sylla, Diego Moreira; Lemarechal, Andrey Santos; Bakwa, Diarra, Nanasi; Emegha

We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Strasbourg

Strasbourg have been one of the overachievers in the early weeks of the campaign, but their away form and record at PSG gives them little chance here.

Previews by email

Top News

1 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has ruled out a future career in coaching as he admitted he is unsure whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly knocked back several offers from interested clubs for teenage starlet Claudio Echeverri. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk French off the back of reaching the Taca da Liga semi-finals, Benfica return to action in the Primeira Liga when they visit the Estadio de Sao Luis to face SC Farense on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly ready to part ways with Aurelien Tchouameni and could offer the midfielder as part of a deal to sign Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gil Vicente will be looking to make it five straight games without defeat on home turf this season when they play host to Boavista in round 10 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are one of five European giants who have been alerted by Jamal Musiala's contract situation at Bayern Munich. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Vincent Kompany will be hoping that his Bayern Munich side can maintain their unbeaten record in the Bundesliga on Saturday when they host Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt are set to host VfL Bochum on Saturday at Deutsche Bank Park in the Bundesliga. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nuri Sahin's side are in desperate need of a win, but they face a difficult task on Saturday given they welcome RB Leipzig to Signal Iduna Park in their ninth Bundesliga match of the season. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their ninth Bundesliga game of the season, relegation threatened Wolfsburg are set to host Augsburg on Saturday at Volkswagen Arena. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who have turned a corner of late go head to head in round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Fortuna Sittard welcome Heerenveen to the Fortuna Sittard Stadion on Sunday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest will endeavour to win their third consecutive Premier League game when they welcome West Ham United to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In one of two high-profile matches round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season has to offer, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar will do battle at De Kuip on Saturday evening. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both gunning for promotion in their respective divisions, Walsall and Bolton Wanderers will turn their attentions to the FA Cup as they meet for a first-round tie at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have received a major injury boost regarding Manuel Akanji, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga giants Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Rafael Leao at AC Milan, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Bournemouth 'should not abandon their principles' in Saturday's clash with the Premier League champions at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim meet at Holstein-Stadion in Saturday's gameweek nine match in a battle between a host in their first Bundesliga season and an opponent in their second-ever top-flight year. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that the Red Devils "can and have to perform better", as he prepares the team for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that he is expecting to remain at Manchester United as an assistant manager once the club have finalised a deal for Erik ten Hag's long-term replacement. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to make it back-to-back wins in pursuit of the top six in the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford will meet at Hillsborough on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to bounce back to winning ways in their fights at opposite ends of the Championship table, Leeds United and Plymouth Argyle will square off at Elland Road on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Securing consecutive wins for the first time since September will be the major objective for Heracles as they entertain the challenge of NAC Breda at the Asito Stadium on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly started to consider other options in the transfer market at left-back, due to the predicted wage demands of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is expected to recall several of his first-team stars for Saturday's Premier League clash with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town could be without as many as 10 players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just three points in the top six of the Championship table, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United will meet in an important contest at Ewood Park on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Last season's top two in the Championship lock horns at Portman Road for a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon when Ipswich Town play host to Leicester City. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their first MLS playoff contest at Citi Field since 2022, New York City FC host FC Cincinnati needing a win on Saturday to stay alive in the quest for the cup. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Premier League have released the shortlist for October's Player of the Month award, with players from clubs up and down the table and all over the pitch included.