Toulouse vs PSG predictions for Saturday’s Ligue 1 affair at Stadium Municipal. Can PSG bounce back and secure the first win of the season after last weekend’s setback? Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.
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Match Live Saturday, 19th August at 8:00 pm In:
Toulouse vs PSG Predictions
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Occitania Showdown: A Tale of Two Teams at Crossroads
Key Stats
– Despite commanding 78% ball possession, PSG failed to score against Lorient.
– Thijs Dallinga, Toulouse’s striking ace, netted 18 times across all competitions last season.
The landscape of French football has shifted recently. Paris Saint-Germain are adapting to life post-Neymar, while Toulouse have embarked on a fresh chapter under Carles Martinez Novell. This coming weekend, PSG journey to Occitania to lock horns with Toulouse for their next Ligue 1 challenge.
Last weekend, the hosts showcased their resilience with a 2-1 comeback victory against Nantes, a familiar foe they had trounced 5-1 in the Coupe de France final. Despite such a remarkable cup victory, Toulouse’s middling league performance saw Philippe Montanier relieved of his managerial duties. This paved the way for Martinez Novell’s elevation from assistant to the top role, quite an impressive feat given his previous highest post was as the head coach of Kuwait’s Under-20s.
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While Toulouse’s historical performance at the Stadium de Toulouse has been a mix of hits and misses, Martinez Novell aims for steadiness. And with key players such as Rasmus Nicolaisen and Zakaria Aboukhlal in excellent form, he has the tools to do so.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Rocky Start
In stark contrast, PSG’s off-field theatrics have somewhat overshadowed their on-pitch performance. Despite a domineering possession stat of 78% and 20 shots on goal in their recent encounter against Lorient, PSG couldn’t find the back of the net. A disturbing fact for a team of their calibre, especially with the talent pool they boast.
Luis Enrique, succeeding Christophe Galtier, now holds the PSG reins. While Enrique’s managerial pedigree is undeniable, he faces the unenviable task of ensuring harmony in a dressing room reeling from high-profile exits and star-player controversies.
The Match Ahead
Both teams are battling injury concerns. Toulouse will be missing several players, but the combination of Zakaria Aboukhlal, Gabriel Suazo, and the prolific Thijs Dallinga in their attack gives them hope. PSG, despite their injury list, have a potential boost with Kylian Mbappe’s return to training. It’s a tantalising prospect for fans and a terrifying one for opponents.
It’s worth noting that the recent form of both teams reveals interesting patterns. Toulouse have displayed admirable tenacity, remaining unbeaten in their last six Ligue 1 outings. PSG, on the other hand, seem to have hit a minor slump, with no wins in their last three league games.
Predictions
1. Both Teams to Score When you begin to peel back the layers of recent performances and understand the intricacies of both team’s style of play, it’s easy to see why many believe both teams will find the back of the net in this upcoming fixture.
Why Toulouse could score: Toulouse’s recent show of character, pulling a comeback win against Nantes, speaks volumes about their resilience. Notably, in the dying embers of that game, centre-back Rasmus Nicolaisen delivered the winning goal. Considering Nicolaisen’s early presence on the scoreboard, and the attacking flair of players like Zakaria Aboukhlal, the home side has multiple avenues of threats. This diversified attacking presence gives Toulouse a heightened chance of piercing PSG’s defence.
Why PSG could score: On the other hand, while PSG was held to a goalless draw against Lorient, it wasn’t for lack of trying. Dominating 78% of the possession and tallying up 20 shots indicates their attacking intentions. With Kylian Mbappe potentially returning to the fold, one can only expect PSG’s frontline to be more lethal. Given Toulouse’s defensive lapses in their recent game, evidenced by the conceded penalty, PSG’s potent attack may very well find a way through.
2. Correct Score: 1-1 Given the evidence at hand, a 1-1 draw seems a plausible result. PSG’s attacking prowess is undeniable, and even without Neymar, the likes of Mbappe and new signings ensure they are always a goal threat. Yet, the transition and off-field dramas might still be affecting their chemistry, leading to potential inefficiencies in their finishing.
Toulouse, fresh from a win and carrying momentum, will be buoyed playing at home. The spirit shown in their recent matches coupled with PSG’s potential vulnerabilities makes it likely they could snatch a goal. However, PSG’s quality might be enough to hold them to just the one, leading to a share of the spoils.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Kylian Mbappe One of the modern game’s most prolific goal-scorers, Kylian Mbappe, stands out as the player most likely to score in this contest. Despite his absence from PSG’s recent draw, his return to training and potential inclusion in the starting XI presents a significant threat to Toulouse’s defence.
Mbappe’s exceptional speed, ball control, and proven track record in front of goal make him a menace for any defence. Given that Toulouse conceded against Nantes, their backline isn’t impervious. Should Mbappe be given even a sliver of space or an inch-perfect pass, it’s easy to envision him leaving his mark on the scoresheet. Even amidst transfer speculations and potential distractions, Mbappe’s raw talent and instinct in front of goal remain undiminished, making him the standout candidate to score in this encounter.
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