Saturday, December 17, 2011

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18.12. (Sun) 21:00 Paris Saint Germain - Lille Metropole

Eden Hazard - Lille (Getty Images)
Getty Images


 PROBABLE LINEUPS

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Sirigu
Ceara, Lugano, Sakho, Tiene
Sissoko, Bodmer
Menez, Pastore, NeneGameiro
LILLE

LandreauDebuchy, Chedjou, Basa, BeriaBalmont, Mavuba, Pedretti
Cole, Sow, Hazard
Embattled Paris-Saint Germain boss Antoine Kombouare is unlikely to ring the changes after his players emerged unscathed in Wednesday's 4-2 Europa League victory over Athletic Bilbao.
Mamadou Sakho, Salvatore Sirigu and Mohamed Sissoko will be handed starts after the trio  only made the bench in midweek. PSG will retain their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Javier Pastore providing the link to striker Kevin Gameiro, scorer of nine league goals this term.
Holders Lille travel to the capital with no major injury worries either. Tulio de Melo is still struggling with a torn hamstring, while Benoit Pedretti set for a starting berth after coming off the bench in last Sunday's 2-0 win over Dijon.

 DID YOU KNOW?

  • Paris Saint-Germain secured a narrow 1-0 win over Sochaux last weekend to stay in touch at the top.
  • Les Parisiens have emerged victors in their last three home games against title-holders. 
  • Kevin Gameiro has averaged more than a goal a game against Lille when playing for FC Lorient.
  • Antoine Kombouare's men were eliminated from the Europa League despite a 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao, with Slovan Bratislava qualifying for the last 16 instead. PSG only have the Ligue 1 trophy and Coupe de France to compete for.
  • Lille comfortably beat Dijon 2-0 on matchday 17. 
  • Les Dogues have fond memories of recent games against PSG. In this fixture in May, a 2-2 draw enabled Lille to win their first league title for more than 50 years.
  • Furthermore, Rudi Garcia's men edged out les Parisiens in the 2011 Coupe de France Final to seal a memorable double.
  • Rudi Garcia's side are on a run of 15 games unbeaten in the league - a club record.
  • Similarly, Lille have not lost on the road in Ligue 1 since April against Monaco. They have also lost just twice away in the league in 2011.
Prediction
The two sides come into this encounter on the back of disappointing European exits, but the onus is on the hosts to perform. Lille, unbeaten in 15 league games certainly won't be pushed into a defensive formation, so expect end-to-end attacking football from the off.
What looks likely is both sides nullifying each other's attacking threats - a draw on the cards and an entertaining match in store.
Editor's Prediction
PSG 2-2 Lille