Paris Saint-Germain vs Reims Live
Verratti will start at the tip of the midfield, with Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha flanking him. The Italian’s return will free up Ruiz to make forward forays, opening up space for Lionel Messi in the number 10 role to work his magic. The Argentine was rested against Pays De Cassel and will be raring to go on the night.
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe form the front two, leading the line on the night. The Reims defence has proven to be formidable this season, and PSG’s vaunted front three will be put to the test. A thumping win could more or less get their title defence back on track and compensate for the poor run of league form in January.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Ramos, Bernat; Vitinha, Verratti, Ruiz; Messi; Mbappe, Neymar
Reims
The visitors will be without Nathanael Mbuku and Noah Jean Holm. Thibault De Smet also picked up a knock against Les Herbiers and is a doubt for the game.
William Still took over as the manager in October and is yet to experience defeat in the top seat. The Belgian has made Reims not just difficult to beat but also a better-organised outfit. The trip to Parc Des Princes will be the true test of his mettle and could prove to be a decisive moment in his young yet promising career.
Reims are likely to go with their compact 4-2-3-1 formation that will look to keep things tight and deny PSG space. Yehvann Diouf should start in goal behind the back four of Thomas Foket, Emmanuel Agbadou, Yunis Abdelhamid and Maxime Busi.
Marshall Munetsi and Azor Matusiwa will form the double pivot, with the trio of Junya Ito, Arber Zeneli, and Alexis Flips playing further upfield. An in-form Florian Balogun will lead the line and will be keen to once again be the difference maker for the club.
The Arsenal loanee has been in hot form this season and has scored ten goals in Ligue 1 this season. Only Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have outscored him in the French top flight this season.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Diouf; Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, Busi; Munetsi, Matusiwa; Ito, Zeneli, Flips; Balogun
Key Stats
- PSG have won eight of their last nine home games in Ligue 1 against Reims. The last time they lost such a clash was in 2019.
- A loss on the night will see PSG lose consecutive league games for the first time since September 2020.
- Reims are on an 11-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1. This is the longest such run in the French division at this time and also the club’s best run of results since 2019.
- PSG have not tasted defeat in their last 31 home games in Ligue 1.
- Reims have drawn 10 of their opening 19 games in Ligue 1 this season, more than any other side in the league. Reims have conceded just 20 goals in Ligue 1 this season. Only the top three clubs have a better defensive record.
