PSG vs. Angers: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Paris Saint-Germain and Angers SCO get back to league business on Saturday afternoon after contrasting results in the Coupe de France midweek.
Angers were eliminated by 2-1 Bordeaux, while PSG squeezed past Toulouse with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory. This weekend’s clash gives the league leaders the chance to extract revenge from the first meeting between the two clubs.
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Date: Saturday, January 23
Time: 5 p.m. CET (4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. EST)
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
TV Info: Canal Plus (France) and beIN Sports (USA)
Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect
When Laurent Blanc took his side to the Stade Jean Bouin in December, Angers held the champions goalless, the first domestic team to achieve that this season.
Angers sat deep, frustrated the away side’s advances and tried to hit on the break. It worked, and although Stephane Moulin’s side couldn’t find a way past Kevin Trapp, their defence held on valiantly.
The away side go into Saturday’s game in third place, looking to keep in touch with Monaco just two points ahead. PSG will be hoping to continue the domestic season undefeated and extend the lead over their opponents to 26 points.
Form Lines (all competitions)
PSG
W 0-1 vs. ES Wasquehal (Coupe de France)
W 2-0 vs. SC Bastia (Ligue 1)
W 2-1 vs. Olympique Lyonnais (Coupe de la Ligue)
W 0-1 vs. Toulouse (Ligue 1)
W 2-1 vs. Toulouse (Coupe de France)
Angers
L 1-0 vs. Saint-Etienne (Ligue 1)
W 1-3 vs. Racing Besancon (Coupe de France)
W 2-0 vs. Caen (Ligue 1)
L 2-1 vs. Nice (Ligue 1)
L 1-2 vs. Bordeaux (Coupe de France)
On Tuesday, Edinson Cavani was handed the No. 9 role upfront and failed to make an impact. As PSG try to find a way past the stubborn Angers defence, expect the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and perhaps a starting role for Lucas Moura on the left-wing.
During Friday's press conference, Blanc confirmed that Thiago Silva will continue to miss out, joined on the sidelines by Salvatore Sirigu, Marco Verratti and Javier Pastore. Marquinhos will come into the centre of the defence, and Adrien Rabiot should keep his place in the midfield.
Angers are already without key defensive midfielder Thomas Mangani for the visit to Paris, but there are also doubts over the fitness of Romain Saiss and Cheikh Ndoye. All three are a huge part of Angers' success and would be a huge blow to Moulin's game plan.
Angers will stick to their well-organised 4-1-4-1, looking to hit on the break with the pace of Gilles Sunu, Billy Ketkeophomphone and Mohamed Yattara. Aissa Laidouni and Guy Ngosso could come in to the midfield if needed.
Predicted Formations
PSG (4-3-3): Kevin Trapp; Serge Aurier, Marquinhos, David Luiz, Maxwell; Thiago Motta, Adrien Rabiot, Blaise Matuidi; Angel Di Maria, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas Moura
Angers (4-1-4-1): Denis Petric; Vincent Manceau, Ismael Traoré, Romain Thomas, Yoann Andreu; Romain Saiss; Gilles Sunu, Cheikh Ndoye, Aissa Laidouni, Billy Ketkeophomphone; Mohamed Yattara
Player to Watch
The Angers midfield has gained a lot of praise this season, as they sit deep and protect the defence but try to break forward with pace and ambition. However, the defence, led by the towering Romain Thomas, deserves a lot of credit this season.
Standing over 6'3", the French centre-back has adapted perfectly to life in the top flight. He is 27 years old and playing in Ligue 1 for the first time, but he looks a natural.
Thomas is a leader, superb in the air but excellent at reading the game and getting his body in the way of potential danger.
If PSG want to break down this stubborn defence, they need to find a way past Thomas first.
Key Battle
Defender Layvin Kurzawa told the official PSG website (h/t Aol.co.uk):
"I think all the players that are part of Angers' team know each other very well. They have a great group of players and a very solid core. ... We have to be wary of their quick breaks. They have some very good players, who are incredibly dangerous on the counter-attack. Plus they have a solid midfield as well. It is up to us to make sure we press them well.
"
That solid midfield has been revolutionised by the dynamic, strong play from Cheikh Ndoye this season. Signed from Creteil in the summer, his five goals and battling tendencies have given them the platform to defend well and hit on the break.
If cleared to play on Saturday, he is undoubtedly stronger than anything the PSG midfield has to offer, but as a collective, and their ability to keep the ball and press high, they have the ability to stifle Ndoye’s threat.
It’s set to be a great battle, and given the space to attack, the big midfielder could cause problems all over the pitch.
Odds (via OddsShark)
Home: 50/357
Away: 947/50
Draw: 657/100
