Today we look at two teams that finished in second and third position in Ligue 1 last season. This season, the gulf between these two sides is much larger, with Paris Saint Germain undergoing major team surgery and starting to run away with the league, while Nice haven’t found their feet yet this season as they look a shadow of their former selves. Now we’ll take a look to see if Nice can maybe pull all the stops and produce one of the shocks of the season to inflict Paris SG’s first defeat.
Paris SG vs. Nice
3-Way: 1: Paris SG -385; X: +755 Draw; 2: Nice +1805
Spread -2: Paris SG -116; Nice +110
Total +3.5: Over -105; Under +100
Paris SG
League leaders Paris Saint Germain were saved by striker Edinson Cavani from defeat in the much anticipated first Le Classique clash of the season against Marseille. The Uruguayan attacker had the first chance of the match, stealing the ball but firing the chance straight at the keeper. However, Marseille was straight back up the other end, with midfielder Luiz Gustavo trying his luck from range and curling the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1:0. Luckily, PSG responded well, with Adrien Rabiot pulling the ball back to teammate Neymar who rolled the ball into the post and in. Half-time then came, and PSG managed little in the way of further opportunities as Marseille were unlucky to not be up as they were the more aggressive side.
The second half saw few chances, like the first, taking until the 78th minute for the match to see any significant action when Marseille’s Florian Thauvin volleyed the ball into the corner of the goal to regain the lead. Then, Les Parisiens defeat seemed certain after Neymar received two yellow cards in just over two minutes, the first for a silly foul born from frustration, and the other by overreacting from being tripped up by opposition player Lucas Ocampos, who Neymarsquared up to and nudged causing the Marseille man to dramatically dive to the floor, both players consequently being issued yellow cards. Things looked bleak for Paris SG, who was on the edge of losing their first match against arch-rivals Marseille for the first time since 2011. However, the man of the hour Edinson Cavani stepped into Neymar’s light, firing a beautifully struck free-kick off the underside of the crossbar and in, in the 93rd minute, causing animated scenes with the fan in the away end and huge celebration from the bench as the equalizer found its way in.
Overall, it was quite an even contest and the result was probably fair. However, Paris Saint Germain was extremely lucky to come away with their result and Neymar should have been punished for his red card, especially when you consider that it was their second lucky result in two weeks as they beat Dijon in the last minute of their last match. Furthermore, Neymar’s discipline is a real issue that manager Unai Emery will be keen to look at. The Brazilian superstar has now already received 138 yellow cards and 8 red cards over his career at just 25-years-old.
The positive will be that PSG has still kept a point-gap between themselves and Monaco above three points, who are refusing to give up their pursuit of the league title. That being said, Paris Saint Germain will still have to carry on their unbeaten form as they have a tricky fixture list to contend with for the next month, culminating in an away crunch match at Monaco.
Manager Unai Emery will be without forward Neymar for Friday’s match after his red card in their last match, but will otherwise have a full squad selection.
Nice
Nice were left baffled as they lost to newly-promoted Strasbourg at home with a 2:1 score-line. Strasbourg striker Nuno da Costa caused the Nice defense problems for the whole ninety minutes, and he opened the scoring in the 23rd minute turning in a cross with a deft touch into the back of the net. Da Costa also almost made it two before the break, forcing a strong save from Yaon Cardinale.
Shortly after the second-half whistle, Da Costa scored again from a quick break to seemingly send his side towards victory. However, Nice was handed a lifeline as Allan Saint-Maximin was taken down in the box as the last man, and the Strasbourg defender was rightly issued a red card. Pierre Lees-Melou converted the penalty firing straight down the middle, which brought on a revival from the home side.
Wesley Sneijder made a big difference after coming on in the second half, firstly when his long-range shot was poorly punched away to another Nice attacker who was quickly closed down by the keeper and made a great save. Then, Sneijder tried his luck again from range but his shot fizzed just over the bar, and marked the end of his side’s hopes of claiming a point.
It would be fair to say that Nice is now in crisis, with four competitive losses in a row and not winning their last four in Ligue 1 leaving them in the fourteenth position. Their situation may only get worse when considering that there next two fixtures are away to Paris SG in the league, and the going to Lazio to play a Europa League match.
It’s difficult to pinpoint Nice’s deficiencies, looking poor in all areas of the pitch. One continuing factor, although not a consistent record, is their results in the often absence of Italian striker Mario Balotelli, who was missing once again. Balotelli is often a focal point for this Nice side, and he has formed a good partnership with Alassane Pléa, who was uncoincidentally poor in their last match. That being side, Nice can’t and shouldn’t expect Balotelli to be their savior in every match and they may have to resort to plan B if their game plan is not working.
Manager Lucien Favre will be without central-midfielder Wylian Cyprien (cruciate ligament) and centre-forward Mickael Le Bihan (broken tibia and fibia).
Paris SG vs. Nice – MATCH PREDICTION
Although Paris SG has hit probably their worst form of the season so far, that isn’t saying much as they still have managed four points out of six in their last two matches. Furthermore, Nice has been in tragic form, and I would expect PSG to be able to tear apart an out-of-sorts Nice defense, perhaps without any kind of reply.
Overall, I would certainly recommend betting on a clear PSG win.
MY PICK: Paris SG -2 AH (-116)
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