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May 3, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
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Preview: Nantes vs. Paris Saint-Germain

:Headline: Preview: Nantes vs. Paris Saint-Germain: ID:220400: from db_amp
Sports Mole looks ahead to Sunday's Ligue 1 match between Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain.

A dramatic Ligue 1 title race will continue on Sunday when Paris Saint-Germain travel to the Stade de la Beaujoire to take on Nantes.

PSG started the weekend on top of the table, but with only four games remaining in the season, the champions are under pressure to maintain their good form.


Nantes

Michel Der Zakarian will be preparing for the final four games of the campaign without much pressure on his shoulders after leading his side to a comfortable position in the table.

Currently sitting 10th with just a few weeks remaining in the season, there is plenty to feel optimistic about for the club's supporters, but it's fair to say that Nantes may feel they should be pushing for more in the future.

Inconsistent form in the second half of the campaign has prevented them from gaining the momentum for a possible Europa League challenge, and with just seven points separating them from the bottom three, Der Zakarian will be fully aware that his side could have been in trouble had a few results not gone their way.

However, the team are on course for two successive mid-table finishes since returning to the top flight of French football, and a squad full of promising young players should be boosted by new arrivals in the summer.

A draw with Toulouse last week followed the surprise win over Marseille, and with meetings against PSG and Bordeaux over the next couple of weeks, Der Zakarian will be hopeful that his side can finish the season strongly with an upset against a top-six side.

Causing a shock this weekend would have a big impact on the title race, and Nantes will prepare for the game with confidence as they look to play without pressure against the champions.

Recent form: WDLLWD


Paris Saint-Germain

Chasing down both Lyon and Marseille was the challenge earlier in the season, but Laurent Blanc's side head into the final four matches of the campaign with the target on their back due to an impressive run of results in recent weeks.

Since losing to Bordeaux in March, PSG have won five successive league matches and scored 18 goals in that stretch to claim a three-point advantage at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

It is a run which many expected Blanc's men to go on at some stage, and for it to arrive in the closing stages of the season will come as a huge boost to the champions after battling to find their best form just a few months back.

Much of the success is down to the way his attacking players have performed in the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and the likes of Edinson Cavani and Javier Pastore have repeatedly proved their worth with fine displays recently.

Despite currently leading Lyon, Blanc will be fully aware that one slip-up could be enough to hand the title to Hubert Fournier's side, who currently boast a better goal difference than the leaders.

The momentum is certainly with PSG, despite their disappointment against Barcelona in the Champions League, and another free-flowing attacking performance will move them another step closer to the title.

Recent form: LWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWLWW


Team News

Ibrahimovic is available for PSG once again after serving a three-match ban for his rant about referee Lionel Jaffredo, and the Swedish striker is almost certain to return to the starting lineup.

It creates a selection headache for Blanc, who could decide to leave Ezequiel Lavezzi on the bench to make room for his top scorer.

There are still doubts about the fitness of Salvatore Sirigu, so Nicolas Douchez should continue in goal for the visitors.

Yacine Bammou is pushing to return to the Nantes attack and he could replace Johan Audel, while Valentin Rongier may be handed a start in midfield.

Nantes possible starting lineup:
Riou, Cissokho, Vizcarrondo, Djilobodji, Bessat, Rongier, Deaux, Bedoya, Veretout, Gakpe, Bammou

PSG possible starting lineup:
Douchez, Van der Wiel, Silva, Luiz, Digne, Matuidi, Verratti, Motta, Pastore, Cavani, Ibrahimovic


Head To Head

Nantes do not have fond memories of their meetings with the team from the capital, and their supporters will be fully aware that they have not beaten PSG since October 2004.

The two teams have already met twice this season, with Cavani and Yohan Cabaye scoring the goals in a 2-0 victory for PSG in the Coupe de France in February.

In the reverse league fixture back in December, Ibrahimovic scored twice to hand PSG all three points after Alejandro Bedoya had earned Nantes a surprise lead.


We say: Nantes 0-3 PSG

PSG head into the match in great form, and the return of Ibrahimovic boosts an attack which has been in excellent form in recent weeks. Nantes are capable of producing their best against the top teams, but PSG will be confident of recording a comfortable win.



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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG97202882023
2MonacoMonaco9621156920
3Marseille952221111017
4Lille9522158717
5Lens935196314
6Lyon94231614214
7Reims94231614214
8Nice9342189913
9StrasbourgStrasbourg93421917213
10Brest94141315-213
11Rennes93241312111
12NantesNantes92431112-110
13Auxerre93151318-510
14Toulouse92341011-19
15Angers91441016-67
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne9216824-167
17Le HavreLe Havre9207720-136
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier9117829-214
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