The mood in the Bordeaux camp will be much better thanks to their 4-0 win at Caen on Tuesday night. After that clinical performance the next step for the hosts is to try to make amends for their disappointing display against Rennes (1-1) in their last home fixture last weekend. Against high-quality opposition here Bordeaux would see a draw as a reasonable result. But they may believe they have a better-than-usual chance of picking up all 3pts because PSG may be distracted by their Champions League last 16 fixture at Barcelona next Tuesday night. Bordeaux have very good team news. Centre-back Lewczuk is the only automatic starter missing. January signing Jovanovic deputised well in the 4-0 win at Caen and should keep his place. In all other positions Bordeaux are at full strength. There is good competition for places in attack.
The big question about PSG here is how focused they’ll be on the game. They travel to Spain to take on Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 first leg next Tuesday. The players’ thoughts may well have already turned to that massive fixture. In recent seasons PSG have occasionally let their focus and performance level drop in Ligue 1 immediately before a Champions League fixture. So the same thing happening here is a genuine concern, even though PSG need to play to win because the top of the Ligue 1 table is so tight (they’re in 2nd place, 3pts behind leaders Monaco). The visitors’ team news is excellent. Goalkeeper Trapp and midfielder Verratti return, meaning manager Unai Emery has a full squad to pick from. But rotation is quite possible because Emery may seek to save some of his more important players for that trip to Barcelona. For that reason, team news shortly before kick-off will be important.
Verdict & Prediction
Bordeaux will be fired-up for this game. The visit of the Ligue 1 champions will be a massive occasion. They will also want to put things right in front of their home fans. They produced one of their most disappointing performances in weeks in their last home outing, against Rennes (1-1). The mood and confidence of the players will be a lot better after their 4-0 win at Caen on Tuesday night. That was a much stronger and more clinical performance. Bordeaux will also be conscious that PSG will have one eye on their Champions League last 16 first leg against Barcelona next Tuesday. That should encourage them to believe they have a better chance of picking up a good result than they normally would.
Prediction: Bordeaux +1.00 Asian Handicap
Odds: 1.78 Pinnacle, SBOBET
