With barely time to draw breath after a terrific performance and win away at Chelsea on Saturday, our lads are already in France preparing for another toughie tonight (8:00pm KO BST).
 |
| Parc Des Princes |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).
Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:
______________________________________________
Grealish__________________________________Jesus
____________________Foden_____________________
_________De Bruyne___________Silva_____________
_____________________Rodri____________________
Cancelo_________________________________Walker
___________Laporte____________Dias_____________
____________________Ederson___________________
Subs: Steffen, Zinchenko, Ake, Mbete, Stones, Fernandinho, Lavia, Palmer, Mahrez, Sterling, Torres, McAtee.
If all have recovered well and are ready to ‘go again’, I’m betting that our manager will stick with the same 11 from last Saturday. If that’s the case…
Ederson in net.
A back 4 of Joao, Aymeric, Ruben & Kyle but I suspect that if Joao & Kyle are to venture forward at all; it’ll be with the instructions that Rodders steps back to make it a back-central-3.
An attacking, interchangeable 5, then, of Jack, Kevin, Phil, Bernardo & Gabriel.
Zack is the reserve stopper; Oleksandr, who will be subject to a late fitness test, Nathan, Luke & John make up the defensive replacement options from the side. Fernandinho, Romeo, Cole, Riyad, Raheem, Ferran & James make up the midfield / wing / attacking choices from ‘the 12’ (5 subs allowed). One of those, at least, might not be on the bench and we might see 2 keepers there instead, as was the case in our first group stage game.
Notable absences:
- Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.
- Ilkay Gundogan – Still injured and, we are told, he won’t be returning until at least after the international break, which means that the first game the German international might be available for is Burnley at home on Saturday 16th October.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Result? I seem to find it quite difficult to read PSG and Ligue 1 in general – the last time we met they’d failed to win 11 of their 34 league games played at that time but on first viewing; it looks a very different picture as they sit on top and are clear by 9 points having played 8, won 8; scored 22 and conceded 7.
However, not for the first time I have to question the overall quality of the French top-flight league because their nearest rival in the table have failed to win 50% of their games played already! I think that tells a picture. So just how strong ARE the French side?
Of course, there’s no doubting that our hosts have huge quality particularly, as I mentioned last time around, in their attacking / forward department – my word do we have some talent up front to try ‘n’ stop because when they’re ‘on blob’ they are, indeed, world class.
But, as was the case last time when we travelled to Paris, I find myself going into this fixture with a high degree of confidence and although I might not go as far as predicting a win, I am going for a draw with a slight lean towards all-3 points to us. So…it’s a draw from me.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result, albeit it was the first leg of the semi-final and not in the group stage…
Prediction: Win
Result: Won
(Pre-match blog posting from that game)
Expected weather conditions during the game: After a warm, sunny day in the French capital, it leaves a dry stadium and temperatures of 14 / 15C. Perfect conditions for the players, I would suggest, and jackets in the cooling air for the fans.
