Prediction: PSG vs Nice

Verdict: Home win & both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

This time last year, Paris Saint-Germain and Nice were involved in a heated Ligue 1 title chase together with Monaco, but this time, the Saints are doing much better than les Aiglons. Judging by their results so far, home win appears on the cards, but Nice are unlikely to surrender without a fight.

PSG

Last season didn’t prove too successful for the newly-rich Paris Saint-Germain as they missed a glorious opportunity to reach the Champions League final stages while also finishing second in Ligue 1. This was probably the main reason why the club chiefs decided to splash out on Neymar and Mbappe in the summer, and the heavy investment in the playing squad appears to be paying off. Paris Saint-Germain have enjoyed a remarkable start to the new Champions League campaign, hammering Celtic, Bayern Munich and Anderlecht in their first three matches, with the excellent performance against the Bavarians the highlight of the season so far. The Saints have also done pretty well on domestic stage, creating a four-point cushion at the Ligue 1 summit, and they remain the only unbeaten side after 10 rounds. PSG were on the verge of suffering the first loss of the campaign at the weekend, but Edinson Cavani came to the rescue, scoring a late goal to earn his side a 2-2 draw at Marseille. The decent result did come at a cost as Brazilian superstar Neymar picked up a red card, but out-of-sorts Nice don’t look like the side that can take advantage of his absence at the moment.

Team News

While Neymar misses out through suspension, Thiago Motta is unlikely to feature due to a knee injury he picked up against Marseille.

Right-sided defenders Thomas Meunier and Dani Alves are both rated doubtful, but one of them is expected to start the match.

Nice

Nice fans hope last season will not prove to be a once-in-a-blue-moon occasion, but the early signs are enough to suggest otherwise. It is clear that les Aiglons have failed to build on what was a truly impressive campaign last term, as the current squad don’t look stronger than last season’s one, and this time the team also has Europa League campaign to worry about. Les Aiglons did win their first two group games in said competition, only to be beaten by in-form Lazio at Allianz Riviera, but securing a place in the knockout stages should not be a problem. The main cause for concern at the moment is team’s poor form in domestic championship. Counting the Europa League defeat to Lazio, Nice have now lost four consecutive matches in all competitions, with three defeats in Ligue 1 seeing them slip to 14th in the standings. Therefore, this is definitely not a great time to be facing arguably the strongest side in France, even with Neymar out of the picture. Having lost three of four league matches on the road this term, scoring just one goal in the process, Lucien Favre’s charges clearly have little to hope for ahead of the trip to Parc des Princes.

Team News

The good news is that star striker Mario Balotelli has recovered from injury and he should start, while Maxime Le Marchand returning from a back problem.

Talented youngster Ignatius Ganago is expected to return next week, whereas Jean-Michael Seri, Wylan Cyprien and Mickael Le Bihan remain sidelined.

Key Factors to Consider

• PSG won six of last seven meetings with Nice on home soil (D1)
• Their last five meetings produced 20 goals
• Both teams scored in four of those five matches
• Nice scored one goal in four away games this term
• PSG unbeaten in last 28 home games in Ligue 1 (W22 D6)

Conclusion

With Nice going through a very rough patch at the moment, PSG should enjoy a comfortable triumph at Parc des Princes, but with Wesley Sneijder and Mario Balotelli expected to start, we do expect les Aiglons to register at least one goal.

Verdict: Home win & both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: 888sport