PSG vs Nice: Ligue 1 Preview

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PSG’s bid for an invincible domestic season continued with a 1-1 midweek draw against Nantes, a result that extended their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 this season to 30 matches. It also marked the end of their 10-game winning streak in the league, but the point added to their remarkable 39-game unbeaten away run – the longest such streak in Europe’s top five leagues.

That midweek draw came on the back of a rotated lineup, with Enrique mindful of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal on the horizon and the Coupe de France final looming as well. Despite the heavy schedule, PSG have continued to deliver domestically, netting at least twice in eight of their last 11 Ligue 1 outings and maintaining top scoring status in the division.

For Nice, a recent 2-1 win over Angers offered much-needed relief after a five-game winless spell (D2, L3) had threatened to derail their Champions League qualification push. Franck Haise’s men start the round in fifth, just two points shy of the top four, and will see this fixture as a crucial opportunity to keep pace in a fiercely competitive race for European places.

Head-to-Head

• PSG are unbeaten in their last three Ligue 1 meetings with Nice but were held to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
• Nice have actually enjoyed more success at the Parc des Princes than most sides, winning four of their last nine visits in all competitions.
• Their most recent league trip to Paris ended in a 3-2 victory in September 2023 – their only win in the last 13 top-flight away H2Hs (D4, L8).
• Only PSG (35) have scored more first-half goals than Nice (33) in Ligue 1 this season – both sides tend to start fast, hinting at an open first half at the Parc des Princes.

What’s at Stake

For PSG, the objective is clear: become the first team in French top-flight history to go an entire season unbeaten. They could also equal the record for most wins in a 34-game Ligue 1 season (25) with victory here. However, they wills till likely prioritise the Champions League and rest players here.

Nice, meanwhile, are trying to cling to Champions League qualification hopes. A positive result against the champions would be a statement and could prove pivotal with three games left – all against sides with little to play for.

Team News

Paris Saint-Germain:

• With rotation expected ahead of the Champions League, Enrique could rest key figures such as Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Nuno Mendes.
• Midfielders Lucas Beraldo, Lee Kang-in, and Warren Zaïre-Emery may retain their places after featuring midweek.
• Youngsters Ibrahim Mbaye and Senny Mayulu could also be handed further minutes.
  
   

Nice:

• Moise Bombito misses out due to a wrist injury, having scored an own goal in the reverse fixture.
• Tanguy Ndombele remains sidelined with a groin issue.
• Terem Moffi and Morgan Sanson have recently returned from injury and are expected to feature.
• In-form Ali Abdi, who has scored in back-to-back starts, may continue at left wing-back, forcing Melvin Bard into a central role.