Thursday, January 31, 2013

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01.02. (Fri) 20:30 Toulouse - Paris Saint Germain

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

TOULOUSE FC
Ahamada
Ninkov, Aurier, Yago, M'Bengue
Capoue
Braaten, Didot, Sirieix, Tabanou
Ben Yedder

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Sirigu
Jallet, Armand, Sakho, Maxwell
Lucas Moura, Matuidi, Verratti, Menez
Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi

Toulouse coach Alain Casanova possesses a defensive dilemma ahead of the visit of Paris Saint-Germain to Stadium Municipal on Friday evening.

With Aymen Abdennour at the Africa Cup of Nations with Tunisia, and Jonathan Zebina still on the sidelines with injury, it leaves 20-year-old Steeve Yago as the only first-team centre-back remaining in the squad. Both Etienne Capoue and Serge Aurier have filled in that role in recent weeks, and it will be up to Casanova to again draft in players in unfamiliar positions.

With Moussa Sissoko now departed to Newcastle United, Etienne Didot will become a mainstay in midfield, with the threatening Franck Tabanou and Wissam Ben Yedder aiming to continue their fruitful relationship.

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti has been dealt a blow with the news that Thiago Motta is out "for at least 10 days" following his injury in the 1-0 win over Lille on Sunday.

Marco Verratti should continue his alongside Blaise Matuidi, with Thiago Silva's absence meaning Sylvain Armand - who captained the side last week - will start at centre-back.

DID YOU KNOW?

Toulouse sit tenth in the Ligue 1 table, but are unbeaten in their last four league encounters.

Le Tefece have not beaten PSG in a competitive fixture since October 2009, with les Parisiens winning all seven encounters since.

Toulouse were dumped out of the Coupe de France by Ancelotti's side last week thanks to goals from Ezequiel Lavezzi, Kevin Gameiro and Javier Pastore.

PSG sit top of Ligue 1 - albeit only on goal difference - from Olympique Lyonnais.

Les Parisiens have not lost a competitive fixture since their December 1 defeat to Nice.

That game was the last time Salvatore Sirigu conceded a goal in Ligue 1 - with the goalkeeper yet to be breached in 775 minutes - a new club record.

PSG will face fierce rivals Olympique de Marseille twice in February after being drawn against Elie Baup's side in the Coupe de France.

Prediction
Carlo Ancelotti's side might be winning, but they have not exactly started 2013 in the devastating form that was expected with the addition of Lucas Moura. They possess a very good record against Toulouse though and will be expected to pick up all three points again.
Editor's Prediction
Toulouse FC 0-2 PSG