01 December 2021, 11:54 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The mid-week Ligue 1 fixture, Paris Saint-Germain vs. OGC Nice, kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, December 1, at Parc des Princes.
Preview Paris Saint Germain Ligue 1, Dec 1, 2021
Preview Having bagged a hat-trick of assists in the 3-1 win over AS Saint-Étienne at the weekend, Lionel Messi went on to pick up his 7th Ballon d’Or on Monday night. Being the first time in two years, after last year’s ceremony was canceled due to the effects of the pandemic, Lionel Messi claimed the prestigious men's award for a record seventh time at the Theatre du Chatelet in the French capital. Earlier this year, Messi helped Argentina win the Copa America, while also having a huge hand in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey glory, before the switch to PSG. In what appeared to be a consolation, Robert Lewandowski, who was also in the running for the prestigious individual award, came in 2nd, while picking up the Striker of the Year (2021) Award at the ceremony. You deserve your Ballon d'Or, Messi said, referring to Robert Lewandowski, after picking up the title. Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner, he added. With the comfortable win over Saint-Étienne, PSG remains unbeaten in five Ligue 1 games, DWWWW, and are at the top of the table with 40 points after 13W, 1D, and 1L. Mauricio Pochettino reverted to the 4—2—3—1 formation, with Mbappe in attack, for PSG’s game against Saint-Étienne and could be leaving the shape in place for this fixture. Sergio Ramos made his much-awaited PSG debut, having started from the get-go in the game against the Saints. He is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up.
Preview Nice Ligue 1, Dec 1, 2021
Preview OGC Nice suffered a 1-0 defeat to Metz over the weekend at the Allianz Riviera, having failed to find a reply to Fabien Centonze’s 31st-minute opener. Nice remains in 3rd place, despite the defeat, having 26 points from 8W, 3D, and 4L. The club has a form that reads: DWLWL ahead of this fixture against PSG. A win for Nice could see them move into second place if RC Lens, who have a difficult fixture against Lille, fail to win. The Eaglets have 25 goals after 15 Ligue 1 games and a goal ratio of 1.67 goals per game. Les Aiglons have conceded 12 goals so far this season and have a G.D. of +13. - An average of 0.8 goals per match. Christophe Galtier and Les Aiglons could appear with the 4—4—2 formation, leaving Andy Delort and Amine Gouiri in attack against PSG. The duo have a haul of 13 goals between them, 5 and 8 goals, respectively.