Prediction: PSG vs Nice

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5.

Best odds: 29/10

Bookmaker: 888Sport

On Saturday afternoon, Paris Saint-Germain will welcome OGC Nice to the Parc Des Princes in what will be the 35th Ligue 1 game of the season for both sides.

Paris Saint-Germain

This season is not easy to rate in terms of success when it comes to the French champions. Despite their recently appalling form which saw them win only one of their last six matches in all competitions, they manages to secure the title with four games to spare.

They have, however, once again failed in their hunt for the Holy Grail – the Champions League, falling at the hands of Manchester United in the round of 16. Despite PSG being crowned champions domestically for the sixth time in the last seven seasons, the job head coach Thomas Tuchel has done is likely to be assessed and a decision to be made before the summer is over.

Team News

PSG are currently sweating over the fate of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, both of whom are subject to punishment from the French Football Federation (FFF). Neymar is reportedly facing a ban set to be between three and eight games for appearing to have punched a fan following the Coupe de France final defeat on penalties at the hands of Rennes, while Mbappe got sent off for a violent, stud-sinking tackle on Da Silva of Rennes, and is expected to be banned for up to three matches. The decision is set to be made later today (Friday).

Angel Di Maria will be assessed ahead of the game due to injury, while Thiago Silva, Thilo Kehrer and Thomas Meunier are expected to miss out.

OGC Nice

Unlike PSG, the visitors have a lot to play for. Their involvement in Europe next season isn’t very likely as they occupy seventh place at the moment with eight points less than St. Etienne in fourth, but with four games to go it’s by no means impossible.

The Parisians are the better team on paper even without Neymar and Mbappe, but Nice’s recent form is much better than that of the champions. Of their last five league games, Patrick Vieira’s team have won three, drawn one and lost one. Apart from that, they are sure to look for benefits in the recent troubles PSG stars got landed in, which is certain to leave some negative mark on the home team’s dressing room.

Team News

Vieira may have a few decisions to make following some decent performances from substitutes Ignatius Ganago and Danilo against Guingamp, but he shouldn’t have any significant absentees.

Conclusion

This just might turn out to be another one of those games which the “lesser” team wins, to the surprise of the football world. But given the recent form and off-pitch issues PSG are facing at the moment, would it really be that big of a surprise? Especially if both Neymar and Mbappe are ruled out.

However, Nice have scored only 26 goals in 34 games this term, and aren’t likely to cause much harm upfront.

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5.

Best odds: 29/10

Bookmaker: 888Sport