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NederlandFresh from a resounding 4-0 triumph against Ligue 1's whipping boys Dijon, Paris Saint-Germain will aim to continue their title charge against an out-of-sorts Bordeaux on Wednesday evening.
Jean-Louis Gasset's hosts are enduring a woeful run of form at present and lost their sixth game in seven against Metz at the weekend.
Match preview
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In a week where Bordeaux captain Laurent Koscielny called out his own teammates and Les Girondins' winless run across all competitions stretched to seven matches, things could hardly be going worse for Jean-Louis Gasset.
The hosts initially looked capable of pulling themselves out of their rut against Metz when Samuel Kalu opened the scoring, but the European-chasing Grenats equalised through Thomas Delaine before substitute Vagner popped up with the winner in the dying embers at the Matmut Atlantique.
Gasset lamented his side's "cruel" defeat after the match, but even though his team once again travelled home with nothing to show for their efforts, it was at least an improved showing after their recent 2-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Nimes.
However, an improved showing does not change the fact that Bordeaux have now lost five of their last six in Ligue 1 to slump to 11th in the table - eight points adrift of the top five and eight clear of the relegation zone - and any late charge for a European berth is seemingly dead in the water now.
Nevertheless, Gasset will be thankful that the two sides above them in Rennes and Angers are also enduring barren winless runs, although Les Girondins have only found the back of the net once in their last four home matches - not what the doctor ordered before PSG pay a visit.
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A horror show against Monaco had fans and journalists alike once again questioning PSG's title credentials, but Mauricio Pochettino's side responded in perfect fashion by sweeping aside the league's basement team Dijon 4-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Kylian Mbappe took his tally to 18 for the league season with a brace on the day, while the ever-improving Moise Kean and Danilo Pereira were also on target at the Stade Gaston-Gerard as PSG capitalised on their title rivals' slip-ups in gameweek 26.
Indeed, Lille and Lyon were held to 1-1 draws by Strasbourg and Marseille respectively, with reigning champions PSG leapfrogging Les Gones into second place and narrowing the gap to leaders Lille to just one point - clearly the capital outfit are not prepared to relinquish their stronghold on the French football scene just yet.
One of the most open title races in Ligue 1 history continues to throw up an abundance of twists and turns in every gameweek, although PSG cannot afford to let a hint of complacency creep in - especially with a seemingly unstoppable Monaco also hot on their trail - but they will be sitting pretty at the top of the pile if they beat Bordeaux and Lille fail to get the better of Marseille in midweek.
Pochettino's side would extend their winning away run across all competitions to five matches should they prevail at the Matmut Atlantique, although Bordeaux held them to a 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes back in November, but PSG have won three of the last four on the Girondins' turf.
Bordeaux Ligue 1 form: LLLDLL
Bordeaux form (all competitions): LLLDLL
Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form: LWWWLW
Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions): WWWWLW
Team News
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Bordeaux will welcome two players back from suspension in Yacine Adli and Loris Benito, and both men are set for immediate recalls to the first XI, but Otavio and Toma Basic are still injured.
Gasset opted for an unconventional three-at-the-back system against Metz, which very nearly paid dividends, and the hosting manager may be tempted to stick with that here against a rampant PSG attack.
Hatem Ben Arfa was dropped from the first XI at the weekend but will hope to force his way back in for Wednesday's meeting against his former club.
Pochettino has confirmed that Neymar is making good progress in his recovery from a groin problem but will not be ready this weekend, while Mbappe will also sit this one out due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Leandro Paredes returns from a ban of his own, but PSG also lost Marco Verratti, Mauro Icardi and Alessandro Florenzi to injury and illness before the win at Dijon, and it would be a surprise to see any member of the trio turn out on Wednesday before the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona on March 10, although Icardi has been cleared to play.
Pablo Sarabia should deputise for the suspended Mbappe with Angel Di Maria also in the infirmary, while Idrissa Gueye and Layvin Kurzawa are expected to return to the first XI as well.
If Icardi is deemed fit enough to start the match, he will be replacing Moise Kean, as PSG announced on Wednesday that the forward had tested positive for coronavirus.
Bordeaux possible starting lineup:
Costil; Baysse, Koscielny, Mexer; Kwateng, Ben Arfa, Adli, Seri, Benito; Hwang, Kalu
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Navas; Dagba, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Paredes, Gueye; Draxler, Rafinha, Sarabia; Icardi
We say: Bordeaux 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Bordeaux may fancy their chances after looking at PSG's teamsheet without Mbappe, Neymar and Di Maria, but the visitors still possess the quality to get the job done with minimal trouble this week. Gasset's fortunes keep going from bad to worse at Bordeaux, and top spot could be there for the taking for PSG on Wednesday depending on how Lille perform, so a straightforward win for the champions is the only outcome that we can see.
