PSG Vs. Nantes: Preview, Prediction, Starting Line-Ups, And Head-To-Head

Defending champions PSG host Nantes at their home turf Parc des Princes on November 19.

Last year winners PSG have struggled to show consistency this season. As a result, they are currently standing third on the league table with 26 points.

Nantes’ poor start to the season has left them in 16th position with 12 points. Their last match against Toulouse resulted in 1-1 draw.

PSG, however, has regained the momentum in their performance as they remain undefeated in their last five league matches. What may enthuse PSG fans the most is that their team has finally started to show last season’s form when they battered Rennes 4-0 at their home in the last match.

On Wednesday, PSG announced their new signing of this season. However, it was not a signing of a new player but a commercial partnership between the club and technology company Ericsson.

“We hope that Ericsson is going to help us win matches,” PSG’s sporting director Patrick Kluivert informed the media of the club’s new commercial partners.

“PSG will accelerate the process of digitalisation with the expertise of Ericsson, who will provide solutions and services destined to transform the experience of fans, players and technical staff,” said the club in their official website about the deal that is reported to be €1.8 million annually.

According to reports, #MUFC watched Ivory Coast RB Serge Aurier against France on Tuesday evening. #PSG #MUFC pic.twitter.com/NOfXm703fk

— Manchester United (@theunitedend) November 17, 2016

This week French football is rocked by the rumors of PSG full-back Serge Aurier joining Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in January. English newspaper, Daily Mirror, reported that an £18 million bid is on the cards to make Aurier a Red Devil at the start of next year.

Ivory Coast boss Sabri Lamouchi recently said that his player has the potential to play on any of the top teams in the Premier League.

He told a French newspaper, “If you were to put him tomorrow in Arsenal’s, Chelsea’s, or Manchester United’s team, he would start.”

“An explosive, powerful and quick full-back is exceptional, there aren’t many on the market. He’s not at his best yet, either.”

PSG: Team News

Alphonse Areola and Layvin Kurzawa will be unavailable for selection due to an ankle and groin injury respectively. Other squad players are fit to play against Nantes.

Front man Cavani scored a beautiful goal in the last match against Rennes, which means he, once again, is likely to lead the attack upfront.

Manager Unai Emery praised his team’s performance after winning against Rennes; so, he probably will reprise the same squad for the next match.

PSG Predicted Line-up (4-3-3) vs. Nantes

Trapp — Maxwell, Silva, Marquinhos, Aurier — Matuidi, Verratti, Rabiot — Lucas Moura, Di Maria, Cavani

Nantes: Team News

Bad news for Nantes manager Rene Girard is that Valentin Ronzier will be unfit for selection due to a hamstring injury. He is expected to return next month.

In the last match, attacker Mariusz Stepinski came as a substitute to score an equalizer goal against Toulouse in the 91st minute. So, he might be given a chance to start against PSG. Things seem not to be working well for Girard’s team, hence, other bench players may get permission to start on the coming match.

Nantes Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1) vs. PSG

Riou — Lima, Djidji, Carlos, Kwateng — Gillet, Vizcarrondo — Thomasson, Harit, Sala — Stepinski

PSG vs. Nantes: Prediction

Ligue 1’s powerhouse PSG is favorite to win this tie vs. Nantes. The Paris-based club finally looks settled on their game and manager Unai Emery may have now found his perfect team. The duo, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, are capable of resisting any attacks pushed by Nantes. Nantes have been hovering around the bottom zone for quite a while and they lack firepower to trouble PSG’s well established side. Without a doubt, PSG will play the game with a clear intent to win and try to dominate the match. Nantes, however, will find it hard to resist the unrelenting attack by the home side.

Final Prediction: PSG 3-0 Nantes.

[Featured Image by Clive Rose/Getty Images]