Stade de la Meinau
27.05.2023, 22:00
Paris Saint-Germain travels to the Stade de la Meinau for a match against Strasbourg in the last gameweek of the 2022–23 season needing just a point on Saturday to clinch Ligue 1 championship number 11. Despite being at the other end of the table, their opponents are in a similar situation, since a draw would guarantee that Les Coureurs will compete at a high level in 2023–24.
The Ligue 1 standings now have Strasbourg in 15th position and they have not played well this year. The home team will need to step it up in this game after playing to a 1-1 tie with Troyes the previous week.
The league's best team, PSG, has, on the other hand, occasionally displayed inconsistency during the last 12 months while being in first place. In their most recent match, the Parisian heavyweights defeated Auxerre 2-1, and they'll want to repeat that feat this weekend.
Get Your Sign-Up Bonus!Strasbourg (WWLWWD)
Last weekend's bottom-half match between Strasbourg and a doomed Troyes team was marked by spectacular goals and poor discipline. A rocket of a Habib Diarra goal was followed by Troyes goalkeeper Gauthier Gallon receiving a straight red card for a handball outside the area.
Alexander Djiku's early dismissal for a last-man foul, however, quickly levelled the playing field. From the next free kick, Troyes forward Rony Lopes snatched a point for already-relegated ESTAC by expertly finding the top corner.
Despite failing to guarantee their safety at the Stade de l'Aube, Nantes' humiliating loss to Montpellier HSC puts them six points clear of the relegation zone with just two games left. Strasbourg only needs one point from their final two games against PSG and Lorient to guarantee their continued play in the top division.
Even if Strasbourg loses to the champion-elect, their relegation will be assured if Nantes fail to leave Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy with anything to show for their efforts. Frederic Antonetti's team appears to be peaking at the right time with four victories out of their last six Ligue 1 games.
In addition, Strasbourg has scored in each of their previous 10 Ligue 1 games, which is not encouraging news for a weakened PSG defence. However, five of their last seven home games have resulted in victories.
Strasbourg captain Djiku will miss the champions' visit due to his one-game ban for receiving a red card in the draw with Troyes, but Gerzino Nyamsi should fill in for him in the home team's five-man backline. Eduard Sobol, a left back, is now available for the weekend together with Thomas Delaine and is sporting a protective mask after breaking his nose, while Eiji Kawashima (shoulder) is still in the hospital.
Since neither Sobol nor Delaine is in top form, Antonetti's left-back crisis could get worse if Frederic Guilbert is sidelined due to a back injury; however, the Strasbourg coach anticipates that the former Aston Villa player will recover in time for Saturday's match; in that case, PSG loanee Colin Dagba may start against his parent club.
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Sels
Defender: Doukoure, Nyamsi, Le Marchand, Perrin, Guilbert
Midfielders: Diarra, Sissoko, Sanson, Bellegarde
Striker: Diallo
Paris Saint-Germain (WWLWWW)
The victory for Les Parisiens over Auxerre last Saturday wasn't particularly amazing, but Kylian Mbappe's two goals were, as the Frenchman who is vying for the Golden Boot scored a stunning eight-minute hat trick to purportedly ignite a goal rush at the Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps. Though Gianluigi Donnarumma allowed Lassine Sinayoko's low shot to go under him and into the goal, Christophe Galtier's team's hopes were dashed. Nevertheless, the visitors held onto their slim advantage to put themselves in a position to defend their traditional title.
Lens is six points behind the table-toppers with just two games remaining, and a single point from PSG's next two matches against Strasbourg and Clermont would do the trick. With Marseille out of the championship race, only Lens can ruin the Parisiens' celebration.
Warren Zaire-Emery, a teenage sensation, should once again start at right wing-back for PSG as Achraf Hakimi serves the second of a two-game suspension for his red card against Ajaccio.
Hugo Ekitike, Fabian Ruiz, Presnel Kimpembe, Nordi Mukiele, and Nuno Mendes have all been ruled out due to injuries they sustained in the win over Auxerre. Marquinhos is also absent because of a groin issue.
Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Marco Verratti also skipped practice for unknown reasons, which generated a few additional questions, but there is no evidence to suggest that the trio won't be playing.
Paris Saint-Germain's possible starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Donnarumma
Defenders: Pembele, Pereira, Ramos
Midfielders: Zaire-Emery, Sanches, Vitinha, Verratti, Bernat
Strikers: Messi, Mbappe
Expert Betting Tips
With the Ligue 1 championship on the line, PSG will try to play their best game in this match. In this game, Kylian Mbappe, who can be deadly on his day, will want to increase his growing goal total. However, PSG's championship hopes will undoubtedly be threatened by a string of new injuries this weekend.
Strasbourg is also not in great form defensively and will have to play without their captain against the most dangerous assault France has to offer. Strasbourg has made significant progress lately, but this weekend they will need a miracle to have any chance. On paper, PSG appears to be the superior team and ought to prevail in this match.
A win is expected for PSG with goals from both sides.