The Stats Zone
October 5 2024, 11:14 · Alex Lawes

Nice vs PSG Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1

Nice vs PSG Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1

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The standout game in Ligue 1 this weekend comes down on the south coast at the Allianz Riviera as Franck Haise’s Nice welcome a Paris Saint-Germain side that have begun their annual circus.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 6th October, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports

NICE PREVIEW: NEGLECTED NICE

With INEOS turning their attention to Manchester United, Nice have been able to be innovative and the appointment of Lens’ Franck Haise was a bit of a coup. The southerners started the season slowly but have majorly improved as the season has gone on.

The home team come into this one on the back of a still inconsistent start consisting of two victories, two draws and two defeats in the league, most recently losing by four goals to one at the Stadio Olimpico against Lazio in midweek in the UEFA Europa League.

PSG PREVIEW: PSG LACK PRECISION

In midweek, following Luis Enrique’s fall out with Ousmane Dembele that saw the Frenchman banished from the squad for their trip to Arsenal, PSG suffered a 2-0 defeat in what was their first loss of the campaign at the Emirates Stadium.

However, despite a strong start, performances have been shaky ever since the September international break for the Parisiens. They remain top-of-the-table on goal difference ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.

NICE TEAM NEWS: A FEW FIRST-TEAM ISSUES

There are a few first-teamers unavailable for the home team this weekend as both Gaetan Laborde and Terem Moffi are out injured with Melvin Bard and former Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson also sidelined.

PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Bulka; Ndayishimiye, Bombito, Abdelmonem; Mendy, Rosario, Boudaoui, Abdi; Bouanani, Boga; Guessand

UNAVAILABLE: Bard (Injured), Sanson (Injured), Laborde (Injured), Moffi (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

PSG TEAM NEWS: EXPECTED RETURN OF DEMBELE

As far as all of the reporting has gone, Ousmane Dembele is expected to return to the PSG squad for the weekend but the Parisiens will remain without defender Presnel Kimpembe as well as striker Goncalo Ramos.

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Beraldo; Zaire-Emery, Neves, Ruiz; Dembele, Lee, Barcola

UNAVAILABLE: Kimpembe (Injured), Ramos (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

NICE VS PSG PREDICTION

This one has the potential to be quite an entertaining encounter at the Allianz Riviera as Nice will try and take the game to PSG with them finally settling into their three-at-the-back system preferred by Haise. PSG are vulnerable at the moment, despite the quality they have meaning they should win every French league title with their eyes shut. PSG do remain favourites but it may not be straight forward for them down on the Mediterranean coastline of France.

NICE VS PSG TIP: PSG TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE