Paris Saint-Germain are away at FC Nantes on Saturday in Ligue 1 just days after Kylian Mbappe’s dramatic winning goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg at Parc des Princes. Ex-Parisien player and coach Antoine Kombouare will be hoping to bring his former club back to earth with a bump and Les Canaris are not far from the European places while PSG boast a 13-point lead at the summit.
Here is how you can watch the match and what to know:
Viewing information
Date: Saturday, Feb. 19 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Stade de la Beaujoire — Nantes, France
TV: beIN Sports | Live Stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Odds: Nantes +550; Draw +333; Paris -200 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Team news
Nantes: Samuel Moutoussamy remains a doubt.
PSG: Sergio Ramos (calf) and Leandro Paredes (adductor) are both out, but Neymar is expected to start after a good cameo against Real which saw him tee Mbappe up for the only goal of the game.
“Yes, Neymar can start,” said Pochettino in Friday’s press conference. “He has trained well. We like flexibility in attack and the front three can combine in many ways. We like to give them freedom and they know how to use it. Neymar has good energy and motivation. He was very conscientious in his rehabilitation and that has enabled him to be back.”
Storylines
Nantes: With five wins from their last eight in Ligue 1, things are going well for Kombouare’s men but two wins from their last five indicate that their form has slowed down a bit. PSG at home is always a lottery post-UCL, so FC Metz, Montpellier HSC and ESTAC Troyes are probably viewed as more likely sources of points.
PSG: Pochettino and his players arrive in the Pays de la Loire knowing that they already hold a strong lead in the league but also aware that they have been shown up in the past by the likes of Stade Rennais in similar circumstances. Lionel Messi was heavily criticized after his disappointing showing vs. Real which included a missed penalty, and the legendary Argentine will want to react.
“He is the best player in the world,” said Pochettino. “Messi is soccer. If you want to explain the game to anyone, it is Messi. I do not think that a missed penalty will affect his confidence. If someone claims that, then they do not know the sport. The team played well, and he played his role interpreting the game. He had a very good game, and it allowed the team to play together.”
Prediction
PSG should win comfortably but you can never be too sure in Ligue 1, certainly not after a Champions League match. Mbappe may well continue to be on a post-Real high so expect him to remain hungry in front of goal. This is a good chance for Messi to give himself a bit of a boost too given there should be enough chances created over 90 minutes. Pick: Nantes 0, PSG 2.
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