PSG vs. Evian: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Ligue 1 Game

After securing their place in the Coupe de la Ligue semi-final with a 1-0 away win over AS Saint-Etienne on Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain welcome Evian Thonon Gaillard to Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 on Sunday looking to finally get back to winning ways.

The French champions are without a win in three league fixtures and have fallen four points behind leaders Olympique Lyonnais, with a difficult set of fixtures looming on the horizon. The capital outfit need to start closing the gap, and a win over Evian might allow them to re-enter the top three after being pushed out of the podium places by Saint-Etienne last week.

While Laurent Blanc’s men need points to aid them at the top of the table, Pascal Dupraz’s side badly need them at the other.

Evian are currently in the bottom three thanks to their inferior goal difference, and even a point in Paris on Sunday could be enough to lift them out of the drop zone. After holding PSG goalless in Annecy earlier this season, the Savoyard side will be hoping for more of the same.

Here are some key issues and decisions that will shape this weekend’s Ligue 1 game.

Do PSG Start Marquinhos at Right-Back?

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

PSG have looked solid at the back twice since the start of 2015, while against SC Bastia last week, they looked weak and poorly organised.

It is no coincidence that Les Parisiens fare better with the in-form Marquinhos in the team at present, and he played in both the 3-0 Coupe de France away win over Montpellier HSC and the 1-0 win at Saint-Etienne earlier this week.

The Brazilian has staked his claim for a first-team place and deserves to play ahead of first-choice right-back Gregory van der Wiel based on current form.

While Marquinhos does not boast the same threat as the Dutchman going forward, Van der Wiel has been poor of late and was particularly disappointing in the 4-3 defeat at Bastia last week.

Blanc should be considering playing Marquinhos from the start, if not in central defence, then at least at right-back.

Evian Must Tighten Up at the Back

Michael Steele/Getty Images

With 34 goals conceded so far this season, Evian have the worst defence in Ligue 1 at present.

In their last five Ligue 1 games, Dupraz’s men have shipped 11 goals and have conceded three times in three of those five games.

There have been no signs of improvement at the back for Evian lately, but one of their five clean sheets this season did come against PSG back in August.

Can the Savoyard side shut the French champions out again and stop the rot?

What Impact Will Lavezzi and Cavani Returns Have on PSG?

Francois Mori/Associated Press

Missing all three of PSG’s games since the start of 2015 through internal suspension, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani are expected to return for Sunday’s Evian clash.

The South American pair will give the capital club a much-needed boost up front and ease some of the strain on star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

It is possible that the ill-disciplined pair get a hot reception from the PSG supporters, though, so they will both need to hit the ground running in order to mend those bridges.

Will either of the pair be able to inspire Les Parisiens to victory?

Will Wass Be Able to Produce Some More Magic?

Ian Walton/Getty Images

It is no secret that, without versatile Danish international Daniel Wass, Evian might already be languishing in Ligue 2.

However, even with the in-form 25-year-old in the team, surviving again in Le Championnat might prove a bridge too far this season.

Wass has eight goals and three assists to his name from 18 appearances this season. If Dupraz’s side are to have any real chance of beating PSG at Parc des Princes, then Wass will be required to play a significant role.