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Toulouse vs PSG match preview
After establishing a 3-0 lead in their Champions League play-off tie against Brest on Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain have a shot at revenge against the last French team to beat them when they visit Toulouse in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
PSG all-time top scorer Kylian Mbappe scored in his final game for the club when Toulouse visited the Parc des Princes on May 12, but the away side recovered to win 3-1 before their opponents celebrated their Ligue 1 triumph with the trophy.
With Mbappe now at Real Madrid, Ousmane Dembele has become Paris’ talisman with a remarkable run of 18 goals in the forward’s 11 appearances.
“The team are in a good dynamic,” Dembele said after the win over Brest, putting Paris firmly on course for last-16 qualification in the two-legged tie.
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“Everyone is focused and playing really well and that helps me to score goals if I am in the right positions to finish the chances.
“Whether it’s Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue or Kvara [Khvicha Kvaratskhelia], the players give me great service – so all I have to do is put the ball in the net.”
Eleventh last season, Toulouse are 10th after drawing three and losing two of their five league games since a 1-0 win at Lens on January 5.
Les Violets equalised twice in a 2-2 draw at 11th-placed Auxerre last Sunday, earning a point through Noah Edjouma’s 89th-minute goal on his Ligue 1 debut.
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“In the moment, I didn’t fully realise [what I’d done], even though I celebrated,” the 19-year-old said afterwards, via Ligue1.com.
“Then it all settled and we had to focus on holding onto the score. Personally, it felt magical. I’ve imagined these first moments in Ligue 1 for a long time.
“It’s the result of hard work. I’m very spiritual and I believe everything happens for a reason. I’m just really happy.”
Toulouse vs Paris St-Germain team news
With defensive pair Rasmus Nicolaisen and Djibril Sidibe already out, Toulouse will be hoping defender Mark McKenzie recovers from injury in time to face PSG.
Canada international McKenzie was due to be assessed after coming off at half-time against Auxerre with an adductor problem.
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Norway forward Josh King, who has been directly involved in seven goals in 19 league appearances this season, is also a doubt.
Manager Carles Martinez Novell will be tempted to give more opportunities to Edjouma. “I just want to get as much playing time as I can and win as many matches as possible,” said the prospect, explaining that he is a left-footed right winger who can play across the attacking line.
“Up until now, my journey has been really tough. I didn’t always have the physical condition needed to play in Ligue 1. But I kept fighting, worked twice as hard, and now it’s paying off.”
Warren Zaïre-Emery is out for PSG with an ankle injury the 18-year-old sustained during their 4-1 win at Stuttgart on January 29.
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Georgia winger Kvaratskhelia could be restored to the starting line-up after remaining an unused substitute at Brest.
The 24-year-old scored his first goal for Paris to put them ahead during the second half of their 4-1 home win over Monaco on February 7.
“Kvara can play anywhere,” manager Luis Enrique suggested afterwards. “He scored like a perfect number nine in a tight space, on a stroke of genius.”
Luis Enrique could rotate his starting selection after a run of 10 games in a month, with his side still unbeaten and 10 points clear at the top.
Toulouse vs PSG expected lineups
Toulouse starting XI: Haug, Akdag, Cresswell, Suazo, Messali, Canvot, Cristian Casseres Jr, Donnum, Babicka, Aboukhlal, Magri
PSG starting XI: Donnarumma, Neves, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Mendes, Doue, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
How to watch Toulouse vs PSG: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off is at 20:05 UK time, with live coverage on Ligue 1 Pass. A subscription costs £9.99 a month or £79.99 a year, with the site currently offering a promotional price of £29.99.
Toulouse vs Paris St-Germain stats
- In 20 of the last 22 Toulouse matches in the Ligue 1, the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In the last 11 Toulouse home matches the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 19 of the last 21 Toulouse matches the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 12 of the last 13 Toulouse home matches in the Ligue 1, the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 3 of the last 4 Toulouse home matches in the Ligue 1, the sum of goals was over 2.5
- Paris Saint-Germain have won 12 of the last 14 matches while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- Paris Saint-Germain have won the last 8 away matches in a row while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- Paris Saint-Germain have won 6 of the last 8 away matches while scoring more than 2.5 goals
- Paris Saint-Germain have won 7 of the last 8 away matches and the sum of goals was over 2.5
- Paris Saint-Germain have won 5 of the last 7 away matches and the sum of goals was over 4.5
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Toulouse vs PSG prediction
PSG are hot favourites to win and it would be a major surprise if their 25-match unbeaten domestic run this season came to an end against opponents without a victory in five league games.
If there is a case for Toulouse to procure a positive result, it could be that three of the four teams to have held PSG this season are below the hosts in the table.
Nantes, Auxerre and Reims – twice – have all taken a point from the reigning champions, who are on a four-match winning away run in all competitions.
Joao Neves opened the scoring in the 35th minute when these teams met at the Parc des Princes on November 22, but PSG were not out of sight until Lucas Beraldo’s goal in the 84th minute and Vitinha’s seven minutes later to seal a 3-0 win.
Toulouse’s uncertain form – including a Coupe de France exit against Ligue 2 side Guingamp – makes an upset even less likely, while Paris have scored 18 goals and conceded four in their last five matches, winning by three goals in four of them.
Even if Dembele is rested, expect Paris to comfortably guarantee their cushion over Marseille remains in double digits – perhaps with a 3-1 win.
