PSG vs. Reims: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
The games are coming thick and fast for Paris Saint-Germain this month; they may have three weeks to prepare for the Champions League last-16 away leg against Chelsea, but they only had four days to get ready for Saturday’s Ligue 1 fixture against Stade de Reims.
Although the side from the Champagne region sit just above the relegation zone, there is no more dangerous an animal than a wounded one. Fighting for their top-flight survival, they will need to be respected by Laurent Blanc’s side.
With Gazelec Ajaccio and Toulouse doing battle later in the day, Saturday gives Reims a chance to shock the nation and put some distance between them and the drop zone.
TOP NEWS
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
US soccer star on TIME cover
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
PSG are 26 games unbeaten this season, just seven games from breaking FC Nantes' 32-game unbeaten run from 1995.
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2016
Time: 4 p.m. GMT (11 a.m ET)
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
TV Info: Canal Plus (France), beIN Sport (U.S.)
Live Stream: beIN Sport Connect (U.S.)
Last Five Results:
| Paris Saint-Germain | Stade de Reims |
| W PSG 2-1 Chelsea (Champions League) | L Reims 0-1 Bastia (Ligue 1) |
| D PSG 1-1 Lille (Ligue 1) | W Caen 0-2 Reims (Ligue 1) |
| W PSG 3-0 Lyon (Coupe de France) | W Reims 2-1 Angers (Ligue 1) |
| W Marseille 1-2 PSG (Ligue 1) | L Lorient 2-0 Reims (Ligue 1) |
| W PSG 3-1 Lorient (Ligue 1) | D Reims 1-1 Saint-Etienne (Ligue 1) |
Team News
Following their 2-1 win over Chelsea on Tuesday, Blanc may be tempted to rest a number of players this weekend. Even PSG’s second string should be good enough to beat Reims, but they showed against Lille that they can’t always get the job done.
Javier Pastore is PSG’s only injury problem for this game, confirmed by Blanc during Friday’s press conference, per Bleacher Report's Ligue 1 writer Jonathan Johnson. Edinson Cavani’s goal may have won him another chance to start, but young Jean-Kevin Augustin will be keen to gain more minutes.
Predicted PSG lineup (4-3-3): Kevin Trapp; Gregory van der Wiel, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Maxwell; Benjamin Stambouli, Marco Verratti, Adrien Rabiot; Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani, Jean-Kevin Augustin.
Olivier Guegan could be tempted to make changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Bastia last weekend, starting with his formation.
Reims have played 3-4-3 in their last two games, but in the 2-0 win over Caen it was 4-1-4-1, which could be Guegan's decision for the battle against PSG.
Jaba Kankava should make his return from suspension, and the Georgian would be the perfect man to anchor the midfield.
Predicted Reims lineup (4-1-4-1): Jonny Placide; Hamari Traore, Aissa Mandi, Abdelhamid El-Kaoutari, Franck Signorino; Jaba Kankava; Thievy Bifouma, Prince Oniangue, Antoine Devaux, Lass Bangoura; Nicolas De Preville.
Player to Watch
The only hope that Reims have of success this weekend is to defend well and hit on the counter. If the opportunity does strike, coach Guegan will hope that the chance does land at the feet of their excellent forward, Nicolas De Preville.
In 25 games this season, the 25-year-old has six goals and five assists for the struggling side. If anyone is going to cause the PSG defence problems on Saturday, De Preville is their best option.
He’s not a typical big target man, he also isn’t blessed with blistering pace, however, he does play with great instinct and intelligent movement.
Key Battle
To create any chances in the final third, Reims will have to compete hard in the middle of the park and try to win some of the battles against PSG’s midfield.
Kankava is a tough-tackling, hard-working and uncompromising midfielder, who will look to close down the likes of Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti when they are on the ball. If he can combine with Antoine Devaux and Prince Oniangue, they do stand a chance—but only on their best day.
As PSG showed on Tuesday, when they are in the mood, they are a tough proposition for anyone to stop. Reims are struggling in the relegation dogfight for a reason, and the Ligue 1 leaders will be keen to keep their unbeaten streak alive.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Home win: 100/667
Away win: 1,869/100
Draw: 152/25
.jpg?w=600 "Nearly 130 Arrests During PSG Celebrations")
