Paris Saint-Germain will lift the Ligue 1 title for a third consecutive season this weekend if they are able to overcome Le Havre at Parc des Princes on Saturday evening.
The Parisians have maintained their leading position since gameweek 12, currently enjoying an 11-point lead over Monaco (55) and a 13-point advantage over Brest (53).
Match preview
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Paris Saint-Germain are on the verge of yet another Ligue 1 title after a commanding 4-1 victory over Lorient in midweek, mirroring the scorelines they achieved against Barcelona and Lyon in their two preceding matches.
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scored a brace apiece at Stade du Moustoir, extending the team's current unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to 25 games dating back to September 15 against Lyon, which was their only loss conceded to date.
Mbappe's midweek brace saw him surpass 25 goals in the top flight for a fourth successive campaign and took his tally across all competition to 43, which is the most the French captain has ever managed in a single season. Dembele has now scored in each of his last three matches - a first for him since 2018, when he netted in four games in a row for Barcelona.
The Parisians are gaining momentum at just the right moment, too. They are still in the running to make the 2023-24 season a historic one, with a Champions League semi-final clash against Borussia Dortmund on the horizon and a Coupe de France final versus Lyon set for May 25.
Perhaps the only criticism of Luis Enrique's side this season is that they have not been as impressive at home as they have been away. PSG have recorded fewer wins at Parc Des Princes this season and have dropped points in three of their last four league matches in the French Capital. They also lost 3-2 to Barcelona on home turf before blowing them away at Camp Nou a week later.
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Meanwhile, at this crucial stage of the season, Le Havre faces immense pressure with only four matches remaining to secure their place in the top flight. Currently occupying the relegation playoff spot, they have managed just six wins and 10 draws in 30 matches, though they are still only one point behind Metz in 15th.
However, based on recent performances, their chances of surviving the drop do not look great. They have failed to win any of their last five matches and endured four defeats, including losses in their last two outings against Nantes and Metz.
The Dean Club have lost three of their last four away games and have only managed a single victory in 15 matches on the road this term. They are currently on a nine-match winless streak (W0 D4 L5) dating back to November last year.
Luka Elsner's side were also beaten by this opponent 2-0 in the reverse fixture at Stade Oceane last year and have lost their last six matches against the Parisians. Unfortunately for the visitors, a seventh consecutive defeat to PSG could see them end the weekend below the dotted line.
Team News
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Sergio Rico is still on the road to recovery after sustaining a severe head injury, but reports suggest that he could be fully fit to return to action by the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
The hosts will also be without the services of Layvin Kurzawa, who has been ruled out for the next four weeks with a back injury, while Presnel Kimpembe is still a doubt to return this season.
Gautier Lloris sustained a hamstring injury in Le Havre's 1-1 draw against Lens at the start of the month and will remain sidelined until the end of May. Yoann Salmier and Etienne Youte Kinkoue should pair up in central defence in Lloris' absence.
Andy Logbo is done for the season with a cruciate ligament tear, and Morocco international Oussama Targhalline has been ruled out for at least a couple of weeks due to a sprained ankle.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Mendes; Lee, Vitinha, Ruiz; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe
Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Sangante, Kinkoue, Salmier, Operi; Kuzyaev, Targhalline, Toure; Sabbi, Ayew, Casimir
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Le Havre
The hosts come into this match in excellent form, having won three consecutive matches 4-1 in all competitions, and they are still well on course for the treble. There is sure to be an amazing atmosphere inside the Parc Des Princes this weekend, and we feel the Parisians will respond by securing the Ligue 1 title in front of their adoring fans.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
