2018/19 champions and runners-up to trade blows
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germainwelcome 2018/19 runners-up Lille to the Parc des Princes in the first league fixture back from the international break. Thomas Tuchel’s side will have a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu in the back of their minds with three days recovery time between this fixture and Champions League matchday five. The league leaders lost 2-1 away struggling Dijonin their last match that came immediately before a European outing, they will look to learn from their mistakes in front of the home crowd in this one.
Lille’s travelling woes
To say the Great Danes’ form has differed away from home compared to at Stade Pierre-Mauroy would be a huge understatement. Christophe Galtier’s men are top of the home league table having taken 17 points from seven matches, however in contrast they are 19th in the away standings, registering just two points on the road from six matches. A run that has only been worsened by 20th placed Nimes. Their last three away trips have all bought over 2.5 goals, so travelling to the home of the champions should bring plenty of entertainment for the neutral with the free scoring nature of the Parisians.
Key men
Mauro Icardi has managed to force his way into Tuchel’s formidable front three in recent weeks and has provided some much-needed goals in that time. The Argentine has scored nine goals in his last eight appearances putting pressure on established no. 9 Edinson Cavani, whose flame may be fading with him turning 33 in early 2020. The summer signing from Inter Milan was the match winner in the last round of Champions League fixtures bagging the only goal of the game against Club Brugge confirming PSG’s place in the knockout stages.
Icardi’s reputation at Internazionalewas beyond repair with the fan base so it is to Tuchel’s credit that he has been able to harness his clear ability and assert his authority in Ligue 1 after banging in 124 goals in 219 games for Antonio Conte’s side who play against arguably higher standard defences in Serie A.
Victor Osimhen has been LOSC’s standout player this campaign, a bargain having paid just under £11million for the 20-year-old from Charleroi. The Nigerian has scored nine goals in 17 outings so far and enjoyed a fruitful international break where he bagged thrice in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho. He is joint second top scorer domestically and will be looking to kick on in his biggest test so far in a Lille shirt.
Both sides will play strong attacking football in an entertaining affair where ultimately the hosts will go on to flex their muscle and get three points before moving onto the Champions League.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-0 it was at half time and 2-0 it finished, a comfortable victory for the league leaders.