Messi to Start, Neymar Out – Predicted 4-3-3 PSG Lineup vs Nantes | Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain will return to Ligue 1 action on Saturday when they face Nantes away from home.

The Parisians went into the international break with a narrow 3-2 away victory over Bordeaux. This saw them maintain their top spot on the table, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side 10 points above second-placed Lens after 13 games.

Pochettino will hope PSG continue their dominance in the league by beating Nantes, who head to Parc des Princes off the back of a 2-2 draw with Strasbourg.

Paris Saint-Germain Team News

Sergio Ramos is yet to make an appearance for Paris Saint-Germain since arriving on a free transfer from Real Madrid with a persistent calf injury and knee cartilage issues. However, it could all end at the weekend with the veteran Spanish defender set to be included in the squad.

Neymar returned to the club from international duty this week with a left thigh adductor problem that is likely to keep him out for the Nantes game. Presnel Kimpembe and Marco Verratti have both returned to training earlier this week but Saturday’s game could come too soon for them.

Julian Draxler is facing a few weeks on the sidelines with a muscle problem but Rafinha’s hip injury is not believed to be serious and he should be fit for this game.

Meanwhile, Abdou Diallo was ruled out of the Bordeaux game after testing positive for Covid-19 but he has recovered fully and should be available for selection.

Predicted PSG Lineup vs Nantes (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper

Keylor Navas is likely to make the PSG lineup again and he will be looking to shut the shop as quickly as possible against Nantes.

Defence

Even if Sergio Ramos is included in the squad, he’ll make the bench at most. That’ll see Marquinhos pair up with Thilo Kehrer in central defence. Achraf Hakimi has cemented his place at right-back with a series of impressive displays since the beginning of the season. On the other side of the defence, Juan Bernat is set to make his third successive Ligue 1 start.

Midfield

With Marco Verratti not yet 100 per cent fit, Danilo is expected to start at the base of PSG’s midfield three. With Danilo holding the midfield, Ander Herrera and Georginio Wijnaldum will look to cause problems to the Nantes backline with their late runs in the box.

Attack

Lionel Messi is yet to find his feet in Ligue 1 but it is just a matter of time before he starts troubling defences single-handedly. The Argentinean magician will start on the right flank in the PSG lineup with Kylian Mbappe on the other side in place of the injured Neymar.

Mauro Icardi is expected to lead the PSG attack against Nantes. The striker has been in and out of the team due to a combination of injury problems and competition for places but should get an opportunity to impress at the weekend.