Paris Saint-Germain vs Angers
After seeing their perfect start to the Ligue 1 season come to an end last time out, Paris Saint-Germain will be planning to get back to winning ways this weekend.
However, they must do so without their South American stars – including Lionel Messi and Neymar – who will miss the match due to the World Cup qualifiers.
Those key absentees have now left the door open for surprise package Angers, who are up in fourth place at the moment, to defy the Ligue 1 2021 betting odds at the Parc des Princes.
Talking Points
Messi, Neymar and other South American stars missing
PSG’s eight-game winning run to start to the Ligue 1 season finally came to an end as they lost 2-0 away to Rennes last time out. It was a woeful display from the Parisians, who did not register a single shot on target even with the trio of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar starting.
Mbappe had some choice words for Neymar after the match as he expressed his frustration at the Brazilian for not passing to him.
Despite the defeat, PSG are still six points clear at the top of the league. However, they will be without a handful of their top stars for this weekend’s match due to the South American World Cup qualifiers. The list of absentees includes Messi, Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Marquinhos, and Leandro Paredes.
Luckily for PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino, he still has some outstanding options to call upon even without the likes of Messi and Neymar. Mbappe, who is fresh off leading France to the UEFA Nations League title, will be ready to lead the line alongside Mauro Icardi and Julian Draxler, who already have five league goals between them.
Meanwhile, veteran centre-back Sergio Ramos is back fit and could finally make his PSG debut. Fellow newcomer Gini Wijnaldum could also get a rare start after publicly voicing his frustration at how his time in Paris has started.
After losing their 100 per cent record in the league, PSG will look to preserve their perfect start at home. They have won each of their first four matches, scoring an impressive 12 goals while conceding just three.
Angers make amazing transformation under new boss
Angers are having an amazing start to the season as they currently sit fourth in the Ligue 1 table. Le SCO were scorching right out of the gate with three wins in their first four matches. They then went four games without a win (three draws and a loss) but finally got back to winning ways with a 3-2 win over Metz.
New coach Gerald Baticle inherited a decent mid-table side from the long-tenured Stephane Moulin this summer, and he has quickly transformed their well-organised and conservative style into a more aggressive and attack-minded one.
The results so far have been quite promising. They are tied for the fifth-top scorers thus far with 14 goals in nine games.
34-year-old Thomas Mangani is the team-leading scorer with three goals – two from the penalty spot – and two assists. Meanwhile, teenage striker Mohamed Ali Cho has been one of the breakout stars of the young Ligue 1 season. The 17-year-old already has made many Ligue 1 2021 highlights with two goals and a team-high 23 shots in nine games.
But perhaps more importantly, Anger have maintained their defensive solidity even while playing a more adventurous style. They have conceded just nine goals thus far, which is tied for the second-fewest in the league.
History
The list of past results between PSG and Angers is about as one-sided as it gets. PSG have not lost in their last 14 meetings against Angers, 11 in the league and there in the Coupe de France.
The Parisians have won 10 of their last 11 league matches, including a 6-1 thrashing in their first meeting at home last season. They crushed Angers again in the cup, this time in a 5-0 demolition.
Mauro Icardi had a hat-trick in the cup win, while Neymar also had three goals over the two home games. The Brazilian has a terrific record against Angers, scoring six goals in six games against them.
Betting Tip
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Angers | Angers Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 2.01 |
| October 16, 03:00 (GMT+8) |
Despite their numerous star absentees, SBOTOP odds still have Paris Saint-Germain priced as major 1.31 favourites to return to winning ways at home. Meanwhile, Angers have 9.25 to win away, and a draw is at 4.70.
But despite those odds, it seems foolish to underestimate Angers, who have been legitimately impressive in the early part of the season.
While it will still be an uphill battle for them to pick up their first win even against a significantly shorthanded PSG, they can at least be reasonably competitive against the Parisians.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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