Nice vs. PSG: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info

It has been a mixed week for Paris Saint-Germain. Success in the Coupe de la Ligue final over Bastia was followed up by defeat in the Champions League to FC Barcelona. The French champions return to league duty this weekend knowing that nothing but a victory against Nice would see them leapfrog Olympique Lyonnais back into top spot.

Date: Saturday, April 18

Time: 4 p.m. GMT (5 p.m. CET)/12 p.m. ET

Venue: Allianz Riviera, Nice

TV Info: beIN Sport (U.S.), Canalplus (France)

Live Stream: beIN Sport Connect

Laurent Blanc revealed during Friday’s press conference that Zlatan Ibrahimovic would miss Saturday’s game on the French Riviera, although the Olympic Sporting Committee has suggested his four-game ban for abuse of league officials following the loss to Bordeaux would be reduced to three.

"

Blanc reveals that Thiago Motta is also out vs. Nice & that Ibrahimovic will be suspended along with Verratti. Luiz did not train yesterday.

— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) April 17, 2015"

Injuries and suspensions hindered PSG against Barcelona and it continues to be a problem for Saturday’s game. Thiago Silva came off injured after 21 minutes on Wednesday and he will miss the game.

There was confirmation from Blanc that Thiago Motta will continue to miss out and that is compounded by Marco Verratti’s suspension. David Luiz missed training, so it is unclear what condition the Brazilian defender is in after he made an early return against the Spanish giants.

The sensation in the Nice squad is 19-year-old Algerian, Said Benrahma. He made his debut at the start of April and set up a goal in the 2-2 draw with Evian. He followed that up with the only goal of the game as Nice beat Stade de Reims 1-0.

If the teenage sensation can continue this form against PSG, it would be a dream month for the youngster.

Form

OGC Nice

W Reims 0-1 Nice – Ligue 1

D Nice 2-2 Evian – Ligue 1

W Lyon 1-2 Nice – Ligue 1

L Nice 1-2 Guingamp – Ligue 1

L Bastia 2-1 Nice – Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain

L PSG 1-3 Barcelona – Champions League

W Bastia 0-4 PSG – Coupe de la Ligue

W PSG 3-1 Saint-Etienne – Coupe de France

W Marseille 2-3 PSG – Ligue 1

W PSG 3-1 Lorient

Predicted Formations

OGC Nice (4-2-3-1): Simon Pouplin; Gregoire Puel, Romain Genevois, Mathieu Bodmer, Jordan Amavi; Nampalys Mendy, Albert Rafetraniaina; Said Benrahma, Valentin Eysseric, Eric Bautheac; Alassane Plea

PSG (4-3-3): Salvatore Sirigu; Serge Aurier, Marquinhos, Zoumana Camara, Lucas Digne; Yohan Cabaye, Adrien Rabiot, Blaise Matuidi; Ezequiel Lavezzi; Lucas Moura, Edinson Cavani

Claude Paris/Associated Press

Players to Watch

The one way to beat PSG is to try and compete with them in midfield. With Verratti and Motta missing, it leaves Blaise Matuidi to try and control the game, with hope that Cabaye and Rabiot can step up their performances.

This means that if young midfielder Mendy can be at his best, Nice have a chance of controlling parts of the game. Although he is small in size, the former Monaco man is as strong as an ox. He is great on the ball with a superb ability to read the game.

Mendy’s presence will be needed in the middle of the park, especially if young Rafetraniaina is his partner on Saturday. The 18-year-old has only started 10 games for Les Aiglons in Ligue 1—which pales in comparison to the 154 appearances that 22-year-old Mendy has made since 2010.

David Vincent/Associated Press

Key Battle

Saturday could see the first start for Lucas Moura since he was injured. The Brazilian winger hasn’t featured in the league since the 2-2 draw against Caen in the middle of February, but he played against Bastia in last weekend’s cup final.

If Laurent Blanc decided to start the returning forward, he will be up against Nice’s excellent young left-back Jordan Amavi. He has been one of the best defenders in Ligue 1 this season and his strength, speed and aerial ability will be a great contrast against Lucas.

Amavi versus Lucas could be just one of the many interesting battles that will decide Saturday’s crucial game.

Odds (via Oddschecker)

Nice: 6/1

Draw: 3/1

PSG: 8/13