Prediction: Strasbourg vs PSG

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Simply looking to widen their buffer at the top of the Ligue 1 table, PSG will travel to the Stade de la Meinau when they meet Strasbourg.

Strasbourg

Starting with the hosts, while Strasbourg might have spent the majority of last season battling it out in a Ligue 1 relegation scrap, Patrick Vieira’s side are enjoying a recent flurry. Skyrocketing their way up the top-flight standings and finding a route into the top-half, Le Racing should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Although the Blues might have been last seen settling for a 1-1 stalemate away at Clermont, the former Crystal Palace boss has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. With that purple patch stemming all the way back to a 2-1 defeat against Reims back on December 1st, Strasbourg have also impressed with their eye-catching performances on home soil. Last seen at the Stade de la Meinau picking up a 2-1 victory against Lille, Vieira’s side have collected back-to-back wins in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Still away with Guinea at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, Strasbourg will be unable to call upon 21-year-old midfielder Saidou Sow on Friday night. However, suffering penalties heartbreak against the Ivory Coast earlier in the week, Senegal international Mory Diaw could make a first domestic appearance since December 20th.

Finding the net away at Clermont last week and bagging just a second Ligue 1 strike of the season, Moise Sahi Dion will spearhead Le Racing’s charge here. Summer recruit Abakar Sylla will once again partner Lucas Perrin at the heart of Vieira’s defence.

PSG

As for the visitors, suffering a shock collapse at home against Brest last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate, PSG will be seeking an immediate response here. While Luis Enrique’s men might open Friday’s trip to the Stade de la Meinau holding a commanding six-point buffer at the top of the Ligue 1 standings, it has been reported that the former Barcelona boss has some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Nevertheless, suffering just a single defeat from any of their 19 top-flight appearances this season and tipped as a landslide contender to make more domestic history in 2024, PSG will be excited by their eye-catching record against Strasbourg. Cruising their way to a routine 3-0 romp when they welcomed Le Racing to the capital back on October 21st, Enrique’s side are unbeaten in all of their previous 13 straight meetings – a run that stems all the way back to December 2012.

Team News

Still dealing with a stacked injury list, PSG will be unable to call upon the likes of Layvin Kurzawa, Sergio Rico, Milan Skriniar and Nuno Mendes on Friday night. Shown a dramatic late red card against Brest last weekend, 21-year-old starlet Bradley Barcola will serve a one-match suspension here.

Still away representing Morocco at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, PSG are still without Achraf Hakimi here. Bagging 19 strikes in his 18 Ligue 1 appearances and still heavily linked with a blockbuster move to Real Madrid, attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe will have a leading role to play this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Strasbourg and PSG met for their reverse Ligue 1 showdown back on October 21st, the defending champions picked up a 3-0 romp on home soil.
• Likewise, Enrique’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous 13 straight meetings against Friday’s hosts.
• Strasbourg are unbeaten in all of their previous eight domestic appearances across all competitions.
• PSG have registered just a single clean sheet from any of their last five Ligue 1 appearances.
• Four of Strasbourg’s last five Ligue 1 appearances at the Stade de la Meinau have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Although PSG might be breezing their way towards more Ligue 1 history this year, Enrique’s side should face a tricky test here. Suffering a dramatic late collapse at home against Brest last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate, the defending champions have shown some recent defensive issues. Recording just a single clean sheet from any of their previous five top-flight appearances, neutrals could be treated to an enjoyable affair on Friday night. With Strasbourg seeing four of their last five home fixtures finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet