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PSG are set to host Angers at the Parc des Princes for their Ligue 1 clash, as club football resumes this weekend after the international break.
After nine matchdays into the 2021-22 league campaign, the Ligue 1 table is an early reflection of how teams are faring. The French top flight seems to be back to normal after some unexpected surprises in the previous campaign. Paris Saint-Germain were beaten by Lille to the title last year but they have turned things around in the new campaign.
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PSG have shown their might and remain strong favorites to lift the title. The French giants enjoyed their best transfer window in the club's history and are now proving to be a level higher than the rest. They sit at the top of the table with 24 points in nine games, six points above second-placed Lens. PSG are still far from their best as proven in their last encounter against Rennes, where they lost 2-0.
Meanwhile, Angers have shown tremendous improvement after the last Ligue 1 campaign where they finished in 13th place. They have made an excellent start to the new campaign, collecting sixteen points and currently occupying fourth spot in the league table. The visitors will surely be a challenge for PSG despite the difference in quality on paper.
Today, we will give our five predictions for the encounter between these two teams. Let us take a look at
Top 5 predictions for PSG vs Angers in Ligue 1 this weekend
#5 Georginio Wijnaldum to start for PSG
Georginio Wijnaldum was one of PSG's free recruits in the summer after the player opted for a move from Liverpool. Since his move, Wijnaldum has rarely made it into the starting XI in Mauricio Pochettino's side. Of his 12 appearances across competitions so far, he has only started in 6 matches. The Dutch midfielder has recently voiced his frustrations regarding his limited playing time at PSG.
With key players unavailable due to their international duties, Pochettino is expected to use the depth of his squad. Wijnaldum can take the opportunity and prove himself to be an asset as evident from his Liverpool days at Anfield. The 30-year old is expected to start the game and will be raring to grasp the opportunity with both hands.
#4 Angers will not sit back
Up against a powerhouse like PSG, most teams tend to sit back and defend. PSG's squad strength is one of the best in the world, way above their competitors in Ligue 1.
However, Angers look completely different from the side which ended up in the bottom half of the league table last campaign. The team have already scored 14 goals in their nine Ligue 1 games this campaign and have shown that they are not afraid to play attacking football.
Angers' last 3-2 win against FC Metz in a thrilling encounter is a testament to their style of playing free-flowing football, which one can expect to see against PSG as well.
#3 Mauro Icardi to make an impact
With a dream trio of Leo Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in PSG's ranks, Mauro Icardi is someone who is below down the pecking order. The Argentine striker has not been a starter for Pochettino's side, despite proving his caliber over the years.
Although he has had limited minutes on the pitch, Icardi has bagged three goals in the new campaign. The 28-year old has managed to make good on the chances he has had so far, and could prove pivotal for PSG against Angers.
With Messi, Neymar and Angel Di Maria all out due to international commitments, it is highly likely that Icardi will start the game. Icardi's presence on the pitch will be a solid attacking threat and the Argentine can again demonstrate that he is good enough to be a starter at PSG.
#2 Key absentees to be a problem for Mauricio Pochettino
There have been questionable moments for Mauricio Pochettino since he took charge of PSG. Despite assembling a team of superstars and increasing their strength this season, the Ligue 1 giants have looked far from convincing at times. As PSG look to bounce back from their shock defeat against Rennes, a growing list of key unavailable players is a huge concern for the coach.
Messi, Di Maria, Marquinhos, Neymar, Leandro Paredes and Keylor Navas will all be unavailable for PSG's clash against Angers. This is due to quarantine rules following the international break. The absence of these key members will see PSG weakened in all departments and could bolster Angers' chances of causing an upset against them.
#1 League leaders to collect three points
It goes without saying that Angers will not be an easy opponent for PSG. With four wins, four draws and one loss in Ligue 1 this campaign, Angers are yet to taste defeat in their away fixtures. They will certainly try their best to make life difficult for PSG and add to their woes like Rennes did.
PSG will also be without some of their stars which will only boost their opponent's confidence. Despite their absentees, PSG will still have a lot of quality and enough firepower to pass any challenge. Angers will be wary of the fact that the league leaders have players like Kylian Mbappe who can change the game in the blink of an eye.
PSG did the double over Angers last campaign, scoring seven goals across their previous two encounters, which included a 6-1 drubbing in Paris. Barring an upset, they are expected to collect three points this time as well, and extend their lead at the top.
