French Cup - Match Prediction: PSG VS Lille

Match Time：3/18/2021 00:45 Thursday  (GMT+8)

French Cup --  Paris Saint Germain (PSG)   VS   Lille

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Paris Saint-Germain and Lille temporarily switch their focus away from the Ligue 1 title race as they prepare for battle in the last-16 of the Coupe de France on Wednesday. Both sides are aiming to return to winning ways in this midweek bout, as PSG lost at home to Nantes while Les Dogues played out a goalless stalemate with Monaco at the weekend.

 

Match preview

Kylian Mbappe often makes the difference in matches with his prowess at the correct end of the pitch, but the Liverpool and Real Madrid-linked frontman was at fault in his own half on Sunday night as Nantes claimed a historic 2-1 win on the Parisiens' turf in the top flight. Julian Draxler ensured that PSG would take a 1-0 lead into the break, but Mbappe soon played the ball straight to Nantes' Randal Kolo Muani - who made no mistake on the hour mark - and Moses Simon fired in the winner in the 71st minute, with an acrobatic celebration to boot.

 

The result of the game was largely overshadowed by reports of burglaries at the homes of Angel Di Maria and Marquinhos - with the former being hauled off during the game as PSG staff became aware of the break-in - and Mauricio Pochettino's men have now gone three home games without a win following a draw with Barcelona and defeat against Monaco in recent weeks.

 

However, PSG's perennial dominance in the Coupe de France should serve them well this week, as they have won five out of the last six editions and have not failed to progress past the last-16 stage since the 2013-14 campaign, when Montpellier sent them packing in the second round.

 

The 13-time winners are not exactly the force that they were at this stage last season, although Pochettino will not want to pass up another opportunity for a piece of silverware - especially in a competition that Les Parisiens are normally expected to win before a ball is kicked - but Lille will believe that they are in with a realistic shot at the trophy amid a memorable campaign. The league leaders had to combat the unfamiliar sight of Christophe Galtier absent from the touchline due to suspension against Monaco, and while there were chances at both ends, the two title rivals walked away with a share of the spoils as Lille's defensive resolve came to the fore once again.

 

However, with PSG and Lyon also failing to win at the weekend, Les Dogues still boast a three-point advantage atop the rankings in a truly enthralling Ligue 1 title race, and the prospect of only a third-ever league and cup double is certainly not unrealistic by any stretch of the imagination. Galtier's side scraped past Dijon 1-0 before overcoming Gazelec Ajaccio 3-1 to set up a tie with PSG, and Lille travel to the Parc des Princes having kept six clean sheets in their last eight domestic away matches - shipping a mere two goals in that run - and they have not lost in the league or cup on rival territory since November 18.

 

A disheartening Europa League exit at the hands of Ajax has been the only blot on Galtier's notebook since the turn of the year, as Lille and their remarkable away form bid to stretch their unbeaten run across all competitions to five matches on their way to a seventh Coupe de France crown, although Les Dogues have been knocked out at this stage of the tournament in the past two seasons.

 

Lille's most recent triumph in France's premier cup competition came in the 2010-11 season - when they beat PSG 1-0 in the final - and they held the champions to a 0-0 draw back in December, but Les Parisiens have lost just one of their last 20 matches against their last-16 opponents in all competitions.

 

Paris Saint-Germain Coupe de France form: WW

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions): LWWWDL

 

Lille Coupe de France form: WW

Lille form (all competitions): WLDWWD

 

Team News

Thankfully, no-one is believed to have been hurt during the burglaries of Di Maria and Marquinhos's homes, but the two players may be granted the night off here in any case.

 

Moise Kean and Ander Herrera are expected to return to training in the coming days after overcoming coronavirus and a hamstring injury respectively, but this game may come too soon for both players, while Neymar is still being restricted to individual work and will not be ready either.

 

Alessandro Florenzi remains a doubt after missing out against Nantes, while Layvin Kurzawa, Mauro Icardi and Leandro Paredes are all in line for recalls to the first XI for this crunch clash, but Pablo Sarabia has been ruled out due to hip trouble.

 

Veteran Lille forward Burak Yilmaz made his long-awaited return to action off the bench against Monaco and could be trusted to lead the line from the first whistle this week.

 

The 35-year-old's compatriot Yusuf Yazici also appeared as a substitute and will be eyeing a return for the cup, with Galtier's only injury concern being Isaac Lihadji, who was never expected to start anyway.

 

Boubakary Soumare and Domagoj Bradaric could also provide fresh legs in midfield and defence as Galtier looks to put out a team capable of dumping the 13-time champions out of the tournament.

 

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Navas; Kehrer, Kimpembe, Diallo, Kurzawa; Gueye, Paredes; Draxler, Rafinha, Mbappe; Icardi

 

Lille possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Celik, Fonte, Botman, Bradaric; Araujo, Andre, Soumare, Bamba; Yazici, Yilmaz

 

PSG vs Lille

PSG 1-1 Lille (PSG to win on penalties)