Soccer France Ligue 1 Prediction

Auxerre vs Paris SG - Match Preview

⚽ 21 May 2023 - 18:45 GMT +0

Following a streak of three consecutive victories in April, which in turn propelled them to 14th place in Ligue 1 standing, Auxerre then experienced a four-match winless run (D2, L2) that narrowed their lead ahead of the relegation zone to a mere one point before this weekend's matches. AJA suffered a 1-0 defeat at Brest last weekend, in what was their least challenging remaining game in terms of their opponent’s table position, and they now face their toughest test on paper against league-leaders PSG.

Given Auxerre’s significant ten-goal deficit in goal difference to 17th-placed Nantes, which is partly attributable to a 5-0 defeat in the reverse H2H, coach Christophe Pelissier may consider adopting an ultra-defensive strategy for this match. Despite being considered clear underdogs here, the hosts' remarkable unbeaten run of seven home games in Ligue 1 (W3, D4) indicates that they should not be underestimated.

With a six-point lead at the top of the table and a superior goal difference of 17 over second-placed Lens, visiting PSG could clinch a record 11th French title two rounds early by emerging victorious in this match. While it appears increasingly unlikely that Christophe Galtier will be in charge of PSG next season, it is worth noting that he could be the first coach to guide a Ligue 1 team to maintain the top position from the first matchday of the season until the last!

PSG's resounding 5-0 triumph over Ajaccio at the Parc des Princes last weekend solidified their commanding superiority over lower-ranked teams, extending their flawless record to nine wins in nine matches against current bottom-five teams. However, Galtier will have to do without his two full-backs Nuno Mendes (injured) and Achraf Hakimi (suspended), who between them contributed to three of PSG's five goals in the reverse H2H (G1, A2).

📋 Players to watch: Auxerre’s M'Baye Niang has been his team’s first scorer in his six goalscoring competitive matches this term. However, PSG's Hugo Ekitike might steal the spotlight, as he scored and assisted in the same Ligue 1 game for the first and only time in his career in the reverse H2H.

⚡ Hot stat: Thirteen of PSG’s away Ligue 1 games this season have seen one side ahead by half-time and on each occasion, the half-time leader has gone on to win (PSG: W11, L2).