Reims – Paris SG : Preview & Prediction
A relegation-fighting Reims came close to recording just their second win of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 campaign last weekend at Troyes, but after conceding a 90th-minute equalizer, they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw. Junya Ito’s red card in the 56th minute did not help their cause, and coach Oscar Garcia will have to do without the Japanese striker (three goals, one assist) for this test against league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
After being red-carded in three of their first four home matches in the top flight, the Rouge et Bleu side will have to be much more careful if they are to turn the odds around and claim their first win at the Stade Auguste-Delaune this season (E2, P2). Getting a goal on the scoreboard should be key given that Reims have not lost any of the four home meetings between the two sides in which they have found the back of the net in the 21st century (G2, E2).
PSG may have won the last five meetings between them without conceding goals, but things could be different this time around as they have just two days to recover from their midweek UEFA Champions League trip to Portugal, where they drew 1-1 with Benfica. It was only the second time this season that they had let victory slip (E2), and coach Christophe Galtier spoke candidly after the match, stating that the result was “fair”.
The Parisian side boasts an impressive away form in league action, with six consecutive wins – the best active streak in Europe’s top five leagues – and the knowledge of coach Galtier, who has lost just one of 15 matches in charge against Reims (G7, E7, P1), bodes well again. PSG can also look to their U19 team for inspiration, as they defeated Reims 9-0 in the National U19 League last weekend.
Players to watch: Reims will be hoping Folarin Balogun can score given that he has picked up points in the last four clashes in which the player has found the opposition goal (G1, E3), while Kylian Mbappé has been involved in 100% of PSG’s goals in his last three visits to Auguste-Delaune in Ligue 1 (three goals, two assists).
Key stat: PSG have opened the scoring in the first 15 minutes in the last three meetings between the two sides at this venue.
Reims – Paris SG : Betting Tips
Paris SG – Win Odds: 1.35
