It’s been goals galore for PSG who mauled Nantes 4-0 to claim the Trophée des Champions, before going one better by beating Clermont 5-0 to record their biggest-ever victory in a Ligue 1 opener! In fact, with 34 goals in matchday one – the most prolific Ligue 1 opening matchday since 1977 – fans of the French top-flight will hope they are in for another blockbuster here.
Perhaps PSG are benefitting from consistency after the same starting XI was put out by manager Christophe Galtier for two consecutive competitive games, something that didn’t happen once during Mauricio Pochettino’s reign! It is likely that they line up the same again, in search of extending their ten-match unbeaten Ligue 1 run, in which they have netted a whopping 36 goals!
There is also a party atmosphere over on the Mediterranean coast, as Montpellier won their Ligue 1 opener for the first time in five years with a heart-stopping 3-2 victory over Troyes. That ended a run of nine Ligue 1 games without victory (D2, L7) and was the first game they had managed to score three in since January – a run of 17 games in all competitions!
However, Montpellier have kept just one clean sheet in ten Ligue 1 encounters and were unable to keep a shutout in any of their pre-season friendlies, which could signify a repeat of the defensive form that saw them finish in the bottom six for league goals conceded last season. Any nerves in La Paillade backline is sure to be pounced upon by PSG’s galaticos too, as they have won the last five league H2Hs by an aggregate of 18-1!
Players to watch: After a brace against Clermont last weekend, PSG’s Lionel Messi now has 1000 direct goal involvements at club level, and also scored twice in the previous H2H. Montpellier’s Téji Savanier also grabbed a brace last weekend but has no goal involvements from his last seven appearances against the Parisians.
Hot streak: PSG are currently 22 home league games without defeat, keeping ten clean sheets in the process.
Is Lionel Messi playing for PSG against Montpellier tonight?
Lionel Messi is expected to start when Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) take on Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Saturday (August 13). The Parisian giants will want to continue their winning start to the season in their first home game of the campaign.
Christophe Galtier’s side secured a convincing 5-0 away win against Clermont Foot in their season opener last weekend. Lionel Messi scored a brace, including a sumptuous overhead kick. Neymar, Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi were the other goalscorers on the night.
After a scintillating start to his new league campaign, Messi is expected to start against Montpellier and continue his sparkling form. PSG will also see the return of Kylian Mbappe after the Frenchman missed the first game due to an adductor injury.
Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are expected to start together for the first time this season. The Argentine forward could play in the number 10 role behind Neymar and Mbappe.
PSG manager Christophe Galtier is excited by the prospect of seeing Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe play together once again. Speaking ahead of the Montpellier game, Galtier said (via the club’s official website):
“I’ve worked a lot on combinations this week. I’ve also looked at what they did last season in various set-ups. Mbappe, Neymar and Messi are used to playing with each other.”
He added:
“Ney and Leo, who have had a full pre-season and played both competitive games, are a bit more in the groove, but I think Kylian will soon be too. I’m not worried at all about their understanding on the pitch. They know each other well, and it’s a good thing to be able to see them together.”
Montpellier are coming off a 3-2 win over Troyes. Teji Tedy Savanier netted an 81st-minute winner to secure all three points for the 2012 Ligue 1 winners.
TV / LIVE STREAMING
TV CHANNEL
Arena Sport (Cro), Arena Sport (Ser), Arena Sport (Svn), beIN Sports 4 (Tur), beIN Sports Connect, BT Sport, Canal+ Décalé (Fra), CANAL+ Sport 2 (Pol), DAZN Deutsch, Diema Sport 3, Digi Sport 3 (Rom), Eleven Sports 2 (Pol), Eleven Sports (Por), Match 4 (Hun), Nova Sport 2 (Cze), Nova Sports (Cyp), Nova Sports (Hel), Prima Sport, Setanta Sports Eurasia, Veikkaus TV, Voyo, Ziggo Sport Docu
MATCH INFORMATION
REFEREE:Delajod W. (Fra)
VENUE:Parc des Princes (Paris)