After dropping two points at the death on Sunday, PSG’s 2023 concludes with a home fixture against Metz on Wednesday night.
Luis Enrique’s side were pretty flat at Lille having secured their place in the Champions League round of 16 days prior, but they looked to be heading towards another Ligue 1 victory when Kylian Mbappe converted from the penalty spot in the second half.
However, Marco Asensio was made to pay for an inexplicable error and Jonathan David headed home a late equaliser for the European hopefuls.
Nevertheless, PSG will end the year at the top of Ligue 1 and be expected to coast past a poor Metz side that have lost their last three matches and sliding towards the relegation zone.
Here’s 90min’s preview of PSG’s last game of 2023.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Metz H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
discovery+ App, discovery+, TNT Sports 1 |
|
United States |
beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, beIN SPORTS en Español, Fanatiz USA |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fanatiz Canada, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN Sports Canada |
Enrique made several changes to his starting XI at Lille following Wednesday’s draw in Dortmund. The Spaniard should return the likes of Achraf Hakimi and Milan Skriniar to his defence and revert to a back four.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is still suspended for the hosts and Randal Kolo Muani could replace Bradley Barcola in the frontline.
PSG’s injury list is pretty extensive and Enrique could be without Carlos Soler and Goncalo Ramos in midweek due to illness. Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz, and Keylor Navas remain sidelined.
Paris Saint-Germain predicted lineup vs Metz (4-3-3): Tenas; Hakimi, Skriniar, Marquinhos, Hernandez; Ugarte, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe.
The visitors will be without Oscar Estupinan and Ababacar Lo on Wednesday night, but both should be able to return when Ligue 1 starts up again at the start of 2024.
Metz predicted lineup vs Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Oukidja; Colin, Traore, Herelle, Udol; Jallow, Jacques, Camara; Van den Kerkhof, Elisor, Diallo.
PSG were potentially feeling the effects of a demanding trip to Dortmund against Lille, while Enrique’s back three experiment failed to reap the desired rewards.
The Spaniard should revert to type against a Metz side the underlying figures suggest might be the worst in Ligue 1. Their open-play xG tally is the lowest in the division, as is their PPDA. They’ve also surrendered the third-most open play xG.
This should be a comfortable victory for the hosts as they aim to end the year in style. It’s hard to envisage Metz laying a glove on Enrique’s side.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Metz
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90Mins
