Paris Saint-Germain’s home encounter against Borussia Dortmund is arguably the most eye-catching fixture of the Europa League calendar this week, with les Parisiens and BVB embroiled in a fascinating three-way scrap for two qualification positions from Group J.
At present, Antoine Kombouare’s Parisiens are in pole position, having gone unbeaten through their opening three fixtures. A shock win against Sevilla in Andalucia gave the French club the perfect start to their campaign, and that was followed up with an easy win over Karpaty. However, in Germany PSG required a late equaliser from Clement Chantome to ensure a split of the points.
The autumn was a kind time to PSG, who enjoyed a lengthy eight match unbeaten run, which encompassed a seven game streak without so much as conceding a goal. Already the winter promises to be a little harsher, with Kombouare’s men losing at home to Auxerre and then drawing in Montpellier.
But the health of the squad is good, allowing the coach to rotate for this game as he sees fit. Ahead of the Derby de France against Olympique de Marseille on Sunday, this encounter should prove an excellent warm-up, allowing out-of-form players such as Stephane Sessegnon and Guillaume Hoarau an opportunity to gain confidence before one of the most important games of the season.
In Their Prime
If PSG approach this game in something of a lull, the same certainly cannot be said of a Borussia Dortmund side who could scarcely be feeling any better about themselves. The Rhure side top the Bundesliga, having recorded a deserved 2-0 victory away in Mainz last weekend, with their goals arriving from young prodigy Mario Goetze and Lucas Barrios.
In Europe, BVB’s position is considerably more precarious. The Germans have earned only four points to date, three of which game via a fortunate opening night win over Karpaty, which saw them score twice in the final three minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Inevitably it was Goetz who scored the winning goal, the second of a brace.
But their luck has not since held. Against a Sevilla side reinvigorated by the arrival of Gregorio Manzano to their dugout, the Germans lost 1-0 at home, and they could not overcome PSG at the Westfalenstadion either, despite going ahead thanks to a Nuri Sahin penalty early in the second period.
Should Borussia lose at the Parc des Princes on Thursday evening, it would be the first nail into their coffin, but on the bright side, an early exit from Europe would allow them to channel all their energies towards continuing Bundesliga success, which might be best in the long term.
Prediction
PSG 1-1 Borussia D. 
