Paris Saint-Germain are back in Ligue 1 action on Saturday evening when they travel to the Allianz Riviera to face third-place OGC Nice.
Les Parisians extended their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table to 15 points with a 3-1 victory over Saint-Etienne last weekend. The win over Saint-Etienne helped Mauricio Pochettino’s side bounce back from a shock 3-1 defeat to Nantes last month.
Next up for PSG is OGC Nice away, as Pochettino and co. look to avenge their French Cup elimination.
Paris Saint-Germain Team News
PSG forward Kylian Mbappe is suspended following an accumulation of cards, but Mauricio Pochettino will have midfielder Marco Verratti available after serving a similar ban of his own. Ander Herrera and Leandro Paredes are big doubts due to muscular issues, and the game against Nice may come too soon for Sergio Ramos to return from his latest calf problem.
In what is a timely injury boost, Achraf Hakimi should be fine to return to the squad after recovering from quadriceps pain.
Predicted PSG Lineup vs Nice (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to keep a clean sheet in PSG’s last league game against Saint-Etienne, so he will be raring to shut up shop as quickly as possible at the Allianz Riviera.
Defence
Achraf Hakimi’s recovery from quadriceps injury is a big boost for the team and the Moroccan should walk straight into the PSG lineup, replacing Colin Dagba at right-back. Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe have formed a strong central defensive partnership and are likely to start again, with Nuno Mendes retaining his spot at left-back in the PSG lineup.
The backline consisting of Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe and Mendes will have to be at their best to keep Amine Gouiri and co. at bay on Saturday.
Midfield
Marco Verratti’s return from suspension will ease Pochettino’s midfield concerns, with Ander Herrera and Leandro Paredes doubtful. Verratti is a certainty to start alongside Danilo Pereira and Idrissa Gueye in the engine room of the PSG lineup.
Danilo’s goal-scoring form of late has made him a constant fixture in the starting XI, and the Portuguese will look to get on the score sheet again at the weekend. Meanwhile, Gueye’s stamina and ball-winning skills have made him a crucial cog in Pochettino’s midfield.
Attack
With Kylian Mbappe suspended, Pochettino is likely to turn to Angel di Maria to join Lionel Messi and Neymar in the PSG front-line. Neymar would start off the left, with Di Maria providing width and creativity from the other flank in the PSG lineup
Operating as a false 9, Messi will look to get into half-spaces behind the Nice defenders, link play and create chances for his fellow forwards.