Ligue 1 2022-23: Angers vs PSG: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The League leaders travel to the Stade Raymond Kopa Stadium

Ligue 1 returns to the fold with another round of matches this week as Christophe Galtier's star-studded PSG lock horns with a struggling Angers side in a crucial clash at the Stade Raymond Kopa on Friday. Angers are currently rooted to the bottom of the Ligue 1 standings and have struggled to cope with the rigours of the French top flight so far this season. The home side slumped to a damaging 2-1 defeat at the hands of Clermont Foot last week and will need to work hard to bounce back in this fixture.

PSG, on the other hand, is at the top of the league table at the moment but has not been at its prolific best this year. The Parisian giants defeated Lens by a commendable 3-1 scoreline in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar result this week.

Kick-Off:

Friday,21-04-2023, 7:00 PM(GMT)

Saturday, 22-04-2023, 12:30 AM(IST)

Paris Saint-Germain Form (All Competitions): L-W-L-L-W-W

Angers Form(All Competitions): L-L-L-D-W-L

Players to Watch Out

PSG: Lionel Messi

There are plenty of threats to look out for in the Paris Saint-Germain squad. One of the players that can hurt Angers is Lionel Messi. Messi breaks lines from just about any position to create for his teammates, and will often look for players ahead of him who are moving to receive in behind. In the last two matches, he helped the team to get points and is currently in good form.

He can slip through balls in behind the opposition for a striker running across the defence, can play an overlapping full-back in, or spot the late run of a central midfielder bursting through the middle of the pitch. He combines power and precision and can finish effectively while dribbling at speed.

Angers: Ibrahima Niane

Even though Niane's form is poor but still the Senegalese is a really good striker and can hurt PSG in transitions, the PSG defenders have to be alert in the setpieces as he has scored some goals through set pieces. Overall he is Poacher who is always ready to get the ball in the box and can score from any position.

Match Facts

PSG have won 17 of their last 18 matches in Ligue 1 against teams starting the matchday at the bottom of the league table, with their only defeat coming against Dijon in 2019.

If Angers lose this game against PSG, victories for Brest, Nantes, and Auxerre could result in the home side's relegation to Ligue 2.

PSG have an impressive recent record against Angers and has won 18 out of the last 20 matches that have been played between the two teams, with the other two matches ending in draws.

Injury and Team news

With two straight wins, PSG once again has an eight-point advantage at the top of the French league. The title is closer than ever with only seven rounds of matches before the end of the season. It is hard for PSG players to find the right motivation at this moment because they lost in the Champions League which was their main objective this season.

But taking another title is something that needs to happen, so the momentum will remain positive. PSG also has plenty of injury problems: Timothee Pembele, Renato Sanches, Marco Verratti, Nordi Mukiele, Presnel Kimpembe, and Neymar are unavailable.

They beat Lille two weeks ago which was their most impressive win of the season and a rare satisfying moment. There is a high chance that they will not play in Ligue 1 next season as they are at the bottom of the table.  Angers has a host of injured players for the match on Friday: Pierrick Capelle, Farid El Melali, Amine Salama, Miha Blazic, Ilyes Chetti, Ali Kalla, and Ulrick Eneme-Ella.

Head-to-Head Stats

Matches: 20

PSG: 18

Angers: 0

Draws: 2

Predicted Lineups

PSG Predicted Lineup (3-5-2):

Donnarumma, Pereira, Ramos, Marquinhos, Mendes, Ruiz, Vitinha, Soler, Hakimi, Mbappe, Messi.

Angers Predicted Lineup (5-3-2):

Bernardoni, Sabanovic, Valery, Hountondji, Ghoulam, Kalumba, Bentaleb, Mendy, Abdelli, Hunou, Niane

Match Prediction for Angers vs PSG

PSG have an exceptional squad at their disposal but has largely failed to justify their potential so far this season. Lionel Messi has stepped up for his side in his last two games and will look to add to his goal tally in this match.

Angers have been in abysmal form this season and will need a miracle to avoid defeat this week. PSG are the better team on paper and should be able to win this game.

Prediction: PSG 3-0 Angers

Telecast

India: Voot, Viacom 18 network

UK: BT Sport

USA: beIN Sport

Nigeria: SuperSport