Paris Saint-Germain vs. LOSC Lille – French Ligue 1 preview
Parc des Princes, Paris will see Paris Saint-Germain host league leaders LOSC Lille on May 21, 2011 in a Ligue 1 encounter where a victory for the visitors could almost guarantee them their first Championnat in 57 years. On the other hand, PSG need a win
in order to keep their hopes of playing UEFA Champions League football next season alive.
Historic double in sight
Les Lillois are within one point of winning their first ever Ligue 1 title. On May 18, 2011, Rudi Garcia’s side defeated Sochaux 1-0 and on the same day, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 against PSG
last week, Lille have a great chance of completing a historic double, something no Lille fan was expecting when the season began.
Lille are now six points ahead of Marseille with just two games left. Unquestionably, Lille are in the driving seat in the race for Championelle. Rudi Garcia is also understandably anxiously anticipating the game against PSG and is hopeful that the celebrations
kickoff at the Parc des Princes. While talking to the media, a buoyant Garcia said, "We're hoping to break out the champagne on Saturday night - allegedly we have a 93 percent chance of taking the title. Now we just need to stitch up that remaining 7 percent."
Champions League hopefuls
After losing out 1-0 to Girondins de Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain have made the task of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League even harder than it already is. An early penalty kick converted by Cheick Diabate condemned PSG to yet another defeat
in the league. The defeat has now left Les Parisiens two points behind Olympique de Lyonnais who are in third place. The capital club is now without a win in the last three games. Last Saturday, Lille beat PSG 1-0 in the final of the Coupe de France, a result
that could play an important role when the two sides lock horns once again this Saturday.
Previous meeting
The two sides met in Week 2 of the French Ligue 1 on August 15, 2011 in a match that ended 0-0. However, a different result might be on the cards as both sides have to achieve their respective aims in the final furlong of the season.
Probable line-ups
Paris Saint-Germain
Coupet; Ceara, Sakho, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Camara-c8277, Armand; Makelele, Bodmer, Chantome; Nene, Erding, Hoarau
LOSC Lille
Landreau; Beria, Rami, Debuchy, Rozehnal; Cabaye, Balmont, Mavuba; Hazard, Sow, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gervinho-c14755
Team News
PSG
Antoine Kombouare has a nearly full strength squad at his disposal. However, Peguy Luyindula is still out injured and is likely to miss the final two games of the season.
Lille
Rudi Garcia has a fully-fit squad at his disposal as Lille look to seal the title a la Parc des Princes .http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Florent-Balmont-c13837 is a major concern as he is still recovering from a thigh injury but might play the game.
Prediction
With Lille so close to completing a historic double and PSG needing to win in order to keep Champions League hopes alive, a draw is possibly the most unlikely outcome. With PSG failing to win in the last three games, it seems that Lille might be able to
seal their first Championnat in five decades in some style.
Predicted final score: PSG 0-2 Lille
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