Ligue 1 | Gameweek 13

Nov 30, 2024 at 8pm UK

Parc des Princes

PSG vs Nantes

Match preview

The PSG crisis continued on Wednesday, and pressure on manager Luis Enrique increased further as he suffered another Champions League defeat in Bavaria.

With just four points from five games, PSG are in danger of missing out on the knockout stage, partly because only three clubs have scored fewer than them in the league phase despite their expensive frontline – Sturm Graz, Bologna and Young Boys.

PSG are doing well at home, too. They beat Toulouse 3-0 last weekend, which put them six points ahead of Monaco at the top of Ligue 1.

Enrique's team have already collected 32 points from a possible 36 this season, which is the sixth time PSG have done so in Ligue 1 history. What makes that even more remarkable is that only three other clubs have managed it – and they all did it once.

At the end of the day, league form and this upcoming match against Nantes won't matter to the hierarchy, who are focused on European success.

The main focus will be on their trip to Red Bull Salzburg in two weeks, which is a must-win for them. That would ease the pressure a bit, but then they have to face Manchester City on matchday seven.

A straightforward win would be ideal this weekend, and that seems quite probable given PSG's track record against Nantes.

PSG have won 22 of the last 25 meetings between the sides, and another win here will put Nantes above Marseille as the team they have enjoyed the most Ligue 1 wins against (currently 27).

The hosts are also on a streak of scoring in 26 straight league matches against Nantes, which is the longest they've ever had against a single opponent. The Canaries' last clean sheet in this fixture was way back in 2006.

It's not looking good for Nantes on paper, and their recent form makes it even less likely that they'll come away with anything here.

PSG are the worst possible opponents for a club that's in complete crisis on the pitch. They've plummeted down the table after a promising start.

Before last weekend, Le Havre had lost seven out of eight games. The only exception was a win against bottom-placed Montpellier at home. But they showed up at the Stade de la Beaujoire and left with a 2-0 win.

Even though Nantes had 71% possession, they still had a lower xG, which suggests that Antoine Kombouare's style of play isn't working.

However, despite now being on a nine-game winless streak and taking just three points in that time, Nantes aren't ready to throw in the towel just yet. But they might have to if the Canaries get closer to breaking some unwanted records.

If they lose here, it'll be the first time they've lost five games in a row in Ligue 1 since 2004. It'll also be just one away from matching their worst-ever top-flight run of six straight losses.

Recent Performance

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form:DWWWWW

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):WWLWWL

Nantes Ligue 1 form:LDLLLL

Team News

PSG are still without long-term absentees Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe, while youngster Senny Mayulu has also joined them on the sidelines with a calf injury.

Goncalo Ramos, who cost a pretty penny, came back to the squad in the middle of the week after missing most of the season so far with an ankle injury. He should be the one to solve their attacking issues, with Enrique choosing not to play with a striker over the past few weeks.

Fellow Portuguese international Nuno Mendes is also back from his ankle injury and played the full 90 minutes against Bayern. Marquinhos will be available again for domestic games after serving a one-game ban last week.

It looks like goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will be back in goal after Enrique's decision to hand Matvey Safonov a start in Europe didn't go to plan. The Russian gifted Bayern their opening goal.

Nantes will be able to call upon veteran defender Nicolas Pallois again after suspension, but the visitors will be without Tino Kadewere and Marcus Coco is a doubt with illness.

Fabien Centonze finally made it back from injury last weekend, but he made the worst possible comeback. He scored an own goal in the 2-0 loss to Le Havre.

Possible starting lineup

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Skriniar, Lucas Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Joao Neves; Dembele, Asensio, Barcola; Goncalo Ramos

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Lafont; Centonze, Castelletto, Pallois, Duverne, Cozza; Abline, Pedro Chirivella, Douglas Augusto, Simon; Mohamed