PSG to dazzle at their own Metz Gala

Handshake-gate

All of the headlines surrounding PSG have been about Lionel Messi snubbing a handshake with Mauricio Pochettino when he was hauled off in their encounter with Lyon at the weekend. However, on the pitch was where the real drama was. Pochettino’s men left it very late, after Lucas Paqueta put Lyon 1-0 up before Neymar equalised with a calmly taken penalty. Just as it seemed the points would be shared, a ball from Kylian Mbappe found Mauro Icardi who grabbed PSG their winner right at the death. They maintain their perfect start in Ligue 1, form that’s a far cry from what the hosts have mustered up so far.

Metz in turmoil

Metz are still yet to record a win so far in this new Ligue 1 season, sitting rock bottom with the exact same record as St-Etienne. Conceding 13 goals in their opening six games certainly makes for grim reading and falling to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Strasbourg who ran riot in the first half against them, doesn’t indicate that there’s much light at the end of the tunnel for the side propping up Ligue 1. This looks to be the perfect opportunity for PSG to put behind them their Champions League woes, with a draw against Club Brugge seemingly sending everyone into a frenzy. A convincing victory here should give Pochettino’s side enough boosted confidence going forward. Metz are clearly going through a barren run, and a big win here should continue the Parisians momentum going into a busy part of the season. PSG sit five points clear at the top of the table, with Marseille their closest contenders. Metz simply haven’t been able to score at home, as they are winless in 11 games at the Stade Saint-Symphorien.

Trouble in Parisian paradise

The visitors will still likely be without Marco Verratti and Juan Bernat, and Sergio Ramos has an outside shout of making his PSG debut. However, this seems quite unlikely as he was still limited to individual training before the Lyon win at the weekend. Whoever the personnel are that Pochettino fields, they should have more than enough firepower to brush this horrifically out of form Metz side and continue their charge to reclaiming the Ligue 1 title.

PSG should be looking to send a statement. Not only to the rest of Ligue 1, but to the rest of Europe that they’re the real deal. Because, after their last two results, doubts are already looming over Pochettino’s position as manager. They should easily beat Metz, and that’s why I’m going with Half Time/Full Time: PSG – PSG with bet365.

Bet Half Time/Full Time: PSG – PSG on Bet365