Mauricio Pochetinno kickstarts his new era in charge of PSG this week in Ligue 1 as the side travels to St. Etienne. The match schedules for Wednesday at Stade Geoffroy Guichard with kickoff at 11 pm.
It is a different case for the hosts, currently on a six unbeaten streak in Ligue 1 but remains six points from the relegation zone. PSG is coming on the back end of a 4-0 win against Strasbourg.
Claude Puel’s side elicits fans’ different reactions, with other content while others riled up with their winning record this season. A 2-2 draw to Monaco ended their 2020 year while stretching the Les Vert’s unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to six matches. However, five of these games have ended in sharing spoils, including a 0-0 draw and 2-2 one to basement sides Dijon and Nimes, respectively.
Even given their 2-1 win over Bordeaux, their position on the table remains volatile, especially heading into the season’s midway point. A win this Wednesday will not raise the club higher the table, but a defeat will open doors for Reims and Nantes to edge closer.
A 4-0 thrashing of Strasbourg was not enough to save Thomas Tuchel’s job. Pochettino had been out of management since his sacking in November 2019. The Argentine with 95 appearances for PSG remains with a mammoth task ahead of him.
St. Etienne vs. PSG Head to Head
Both sides have 34 games against each other, with St. Etienne taking home four wins while PSG with 23 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
AS Monaco 2-2 St. Etienne
Etienne 2-2 Nimes
Bordeaux 1-2 Etienne
Etienne 0-0 Angers
Dijon 0-0 Etienne
Away
PSG 4-0 Strasbourg
Lille 0-0 PSG
PSG 2-0 Lorient
PSG 0-1 Lyon
Montpellier 1-3 PSG
St. Etienne Team News
There would be a reshuffle in the midfield as Mahdi Camara and Yvan Neyou remain suspended after picking up five yellow cards. Zaydou Youssouf will be handed a role in the engine room alongside Lucas Gourna-Douath.
PSG Team News
Pochetinno could be without ten players on his first match in charge, with Neymar not expected to come back from his ankle injury yet. Layvin Kurzawa, Presnel Kimpembe, and Alessandro Florenzi out at the treatment table. Rafinha recently tested positive for coronavirus and remains in self-isolation.
Prediction and Odds
St. Etienne is not to be taken lightly even after winning only four games this term, but PSG has a point to prove.
PSG Win
Goals Over 2.5
Both Teams to Score