Paris Saint-Germain Vs Valenciennes – French Ligue 1 Preview
Parc des Princes in Paris will see Paris Saint-Germain take on 12th placed Valenciennes on April 30, 2011. Les Parisiens are in fourth place in the league standings and midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mathieu-Bodmer-c24679 is sure that his side can overtake Olympique de
Lyonnais, who occupy the last UEFA Champions League berth; the third place.
Just three points divide Lyon and PSG and with only six games left in the season, and Bodmer believes that a win against Valenciennes will keep his side in contention for a Champions League place. While talking to the media, Bodmer said that his side had
a week to prepare for the game, which gave the players a lot of rest. "We tried to recover well earlier this week and then worked hard in training,” added the midfielder.
Three wins in a row
PSG coach Antoine Kombouare is looking to make it three wins out of three against his former club Valenciennes; in week 17 of Ligue 1 in December, PSG beat Valenciennes 2-1. However, after being held to a 2-2 draw against Brest last Saturday, Les Parisiens
missed out on a chance to move to third place in the league. With Lyon having beaten Montpellier 3-2 in midweek, Paris Saint-Germain will have to avoid slip-ups in order to stay in contention for a Champions League spot.
While talking to the media, Kombouare was optimistic about his side’s chances of qualifying for Europe’s most prestigious club competition. "It's an important game. We've got a full week to recover and prepare, a little calmer than last week. Against Valenciennes
we won't have any choice. We need the win if we want to play in the Champions League next season. Lyon are moving forward and Rennes are not far behind. We have to do the job at home," said the former Valenciennes coach.
PSG have the seventh-best home record in the Ligue 1 this season. In 16 games at the Parc des Princes this season, PSG have amassed 30 points which includes eight wins, six draws and just two defeats. Their last home loss was in Week 10 of Ligue 1, where
they lost 3-2 to relegation-threatened http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AJ-Auxerre-c38247.
Draw Specialists
Currently, Valenciennes are in 12th place in the table with 39 points. Though they are just 3 points ahead of Caen who are 17th in the league; relegation is still a distinct possibility for a side that has specialised is drawing games
this season.
Philippe Montanier’s side has drawn 17 games this term. VA have lost just once in the last 12 away games. While talking to the media, Montanier said, "In the last three or four games, Paris have rediscovered their good form from earlier in the season."
Probable starting XI
Paris Saint-Germain: Coupet; Cearà, Armand, Sakho, Tiéné; Giuly, Chantôme, Makelele, Nene; Hoarau, Erding (or Bodmer)
Valenciennes: Penneteau; Ducourtioux, Angoua, Rafael, Bong; Cohade, Sanchez, Kadir; Dossevi, Pujol, Danic
Prediction
Although Valenciennes have been good at drawing games, they will be put to the sword against a PSG side that has lost just twice at home this season. Furthermore, an in-form Nene and Chantome might be too much for a Valenciennes defence that has been shaky
throughout the course of the season.
Predicted final score: PSG 3-1 Valenciennes
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