PSG vs. Bordeaux: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Unlike in previous years, Paris Saint-Germain have come out the blocks flying this season. The international break will have done nothing to slow Laurent Blanc’s side down as they look to continue their hot form against Bordeaux on Friday night.
Les Girondins have not picked up a win in the capital over the last five years, but Willy Sagnol will be hoping to build on Week Four’s 2-0 win over Nantes and gain some momentum before the Europa League fixtures begin to take their toll.
An opening-day defeat to Stade de Reims was made worse when Bordeaux only collected two points in their next two fixtures, but goals from Wahbi Khazri and Milan Gajic helped then beat Les Canaris after a tough trip to Kazakhstan.
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PSG have the only 100 percent record in the league. Not even Monaco—predicted challengers to the title—could slow the Parisian juggernaut. They have yet to be challenged in any of their four fixtures, and they will hope that continues on Friday.
Angel Di Maria made his debut against Monaco at the Stade Louis II and the Argentine, after picking up his first assist, will be hoping to make his first start in his debut home match.
Date: Friday, September 11, 2015
Time: 7:30 p.m. BST (2:30 p.m. ET)
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
TV Info: BT Sport (UK), beIN Sports (US)
Live Stream: BT Sport (UK)
Form Lines
| Monaco – PSG 0-3 (Ligue 1) | Bordeaux – Nantes 2-0 (Ligue 1) |
| Montpellier – PSG 0-1 (Ligue 1) | Kairat – Bordeaux 2-1 (Europa League) |
| PSG – Gazelec 2-0 (Ligue 1) | Lille – Bordeaux 0-0 (Ligue 1) |
| Lille – PSG 0-1 (Ligue 1) | Bordeaux – Kairat 1-0 (Europa League) |
| PSG – Lyon 2-0 (Trophee des Champions) | Saint-Etienne – Bordeaux 1-1 (Ligue 1) |
Predicted Formations
As is expected, PSG will be playing 4-3-3. Angel Di Maria is all set to start his first game for the club and will likely start on the right of the front three, with either Lucas Moura or Ezequiel Lavezzi playing to the left of Edinson Cavani.
Blanc could make changes in the midfield or defenace with Malmo in the Champions League to come mid-week. Marquinhos could allow Thiago Silva or David Luiz to be rested and there could be a place for Benjamin Stambouli in the starting XI.
Bordeaux are struggling with injury problems in the defence and midfield. Sagnol has been favouring a 4-4-2 diamond recently, but with Thomas Toure dropping off Enzo Crivelli, it could look more like 4-2-3-1 on the break.
Pace down the wings will be key, but they could be vulnerable down the middle with the players they have missing.
PSG (4-3-3): Kevin Trapp; Serge Aurier, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Maxwell; Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti, Blaise Matuidi; Lucas Moura, Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani
Unavailable: Javier Pastore (injured), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (injured)
Bordeaux (4-4-2): Cedric Carrasso; Milan Gajic, Frederic Guilbert, Nicolas Pallois, Maxime Poundje; Andre Biyogo Poko, Wahbi Khazri; Henri Saivet, Nicolas Maurice-Belay; Thomas Toure, Enzo Crivelli
Unavailable: Clement Chantome (suspended), Cedric Yambere (suspended), Jaroslav Plasil (injured), Diego Contento (injured), Gregory Sertic (injured), Lamine Sane (injured), Cheick Diabate (injured).
Player to Watch
Although he made 11 appearances last season, 20-year-old Enzo Crivelli only started once. This campaign, after a summer playing for France at the Toulon Tournament, the forward has already been more involved in Sagnol’s selections.
He began the season on the bench but has started the last two fixtures, and although he has yet to score, he has certainly been involved for Les Girondins.
Against Lille at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, Crivelli was unlucky not to be on the score-sheet when his fantastic header came back off the post as the two sides failed to find the back of the net.
He is a big powerful striker, he looks like a throwback to English football in the 1980s, his physique and athleticism causing problems for central defenders. Good in the air, can finish with his feet—he will have the opportunity to score goals this season.
Key Battle
Uruguayan striker Diego Rolan scored 15 goals for Bordeaux last season, and although he has yet to start for Les Girondins this campaign, he would have been a great option for Sagnol to attack with pace on the break.
Bordeaux have been hit with the possibility that the 22-year-old will miss the game after picking up an injury for his country, per Bordeaux’s official website (in French).
The visitors will likely play with one striker upfront and look to hit on the counter—Nicolas Maurice-Belay and Henri Saivet could play on the left and right, but neither is as prolific as Rolan. The former Defensor forward struggled when he arrived in France, but his increase in productivity helped FCGB qualify for the Europa League.
PSG have impressed with their attacking play down the flanks, especially Serge Aurier at right-back, but in his endeavour, there is space to exploit.
If Bordeaux are to have any chance of picking up anything from Friday’s game, they will need the front players to stay mobile and look to find the space left as PSG push forward.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Home win: 116/25
Away win: 223/25
Draw: 20/69
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