Friday, May 20, 2011

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21.05. (Sat) 21:00 Paris Saint Germain - Lille Metropole



DID YOU KNOW?

* PSG's hopes for qualification to next season's Champions League have taken a blow in recent weeks with the Parisien club winless in their previous three games.

* Antoine Koumbouare's side are fourth in the table, having amassed 58 points, two behind Lyon in third.

* The two sides met in last week's Coupe de France final, with PSG relinquishing their crown, going down 1-0 to Les Dogues.

* Les Parisiens were also comfortably beaten in their last league encounter, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at Stadium Lille Metropole.

* They lost 1-0 away to Bordeaux on Wednesday, a result which denied them the chance to leapfrog Lyon into the coveted third and final Champions League spot.

* Lille only require a point to win their first Ligue 1 title since 1954 on Saturday evening.

* The Dogues have already managed to end a stunning 56 year wait without a trophy with a 1-0 win over Saturday's opponents in the Coupe de France final.

* Rudi Garcia's men narrowly edged Sochaux on Wednesday, to leave them six points ahead of current champions Marseille with only two games to go.

* Only shipping eight goals in the remaining games would deny Lille the title.

* Lille have never conceded more than one goal in their last 19 league games.

* Les Dogues, however, have not tasted success at Parc des Princes since 1996.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Paris Saint Germain (4-3-3)
Coupet; Ceara, Sakho, Camara, Armand; Makelele, Bodmer, Chantome; Nene, Erding, Hoarau

PSG coach Antoine Koumboure has the luxury of a near full strength squad. Peguy Luyindula (ankle) remains an absentee, and is unlikely to play again this season whilst Jean-Eude Marice also is a doubt for the visit of the champions-elect. Chairman Robin Leproux blasted his players after their defeat in midweek, citing a "lack of desire".

Lille OSC (4-3-3)
Landreau; Beria, Rami, Debuchy, Rozehnal; Cabaye, Balmont, Mavuba; Hazard, Sow, Gervinho

Lille coach Rudi Garcia possesses a full squad for the final push to claim the Ligue 1 crown, with Jerry Vandam, who has only made two league appearances all season, the single omission with a minor injury. Florent Balmont remains a doubt, but is set to take his place in midfield for the potential title decider.

Prediction
Lille are playing like winners, winning their last five games on the trot, and it would be hard to not see them crowned Ligue 1 champions on Saturday evening. PSG's recent lacklustre performances may see the Champions League beyond them. With Lille requiring a point, a draw is very much on the cards.

PSG 1-1 Lille