Paris Saint-Germain play host to Bordeaux on Saturday afternoon on the back of suffering their first Ligue 1 defeat of the season last weekend.
Bordeaux make the trip to Parc des Princes sitting in 12th position in the league standings and 10 points above the relegation zone.
Paris Saint-Germain
© ReutersThe general consensus is that PSG have already got one hand on the Ligue 1 trophy, and it is difficult to disagree with that belief with Thomas Tuchel's side holding a 10-point lead with two games in hand.
However, last weekend's defeat to Lyon would have really frustrated Tuchel as the French giants lost their unbeaten record in the league in their 21st game.
The opportunity had been there to go undefeated through the entire campaign and a win over arguably their biggest rivals would have provided the team with strong momentum heading into the Champions League clash with Manchester United.
PSG did manage to overcome Villefranche in the Coupe de France in midweek, but they required three goals in extra time in order to overcome the minnows and it would not have left Tuchel feeling satisfied ahead of the club's upcoming games.
The injury to Neymar has naturally left PSG relying on contributions from other sources, although there is still plenty of quality in the squad to ensure that a treble remains a realistic possibility.
Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani have 34 goals and 10 assists between them in Ligue 1, and Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler have also put together a respectable return in the final third.
The pair combined to score PSG's goal against Lyon, but they will be required to contribute on a regular basis until Neymar is back for the closing weeks of the season.
The Brazilian will want to see PSG still in all three competitions, and three points over Bordeaux this weekend will get the team back on the right track ahead of the trip to England.
Recent form: DWWWWL
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWLW
Bordeaux
© ReutersBordeaux will be disappointed with how this season has panned out after their strong end to the previous campaign, but Eric Bedouet's side still have plenty to play for during the closing months of the season.
Les Girondins are nothing more than outsiders to earn a place in the next version of the Europa League, but there are just seven points separating the club and sixth-placed Strasbourg.
That is despite losing their last two league games by a 1-0 scoreline to Strasbourg and Marseille who sit in seventh, but Bedouet will not necessarily be disheartened ahead of the trip to Paris.
Bordeaux have conceded just five goals in their last six away matches in the league, and an improvement in the final third will surely lead to the club breaking back into the top half of the table.
Just 23 goals have been scored in Ligue 1 this season, and Francois Kamano is under pressure to end his break his duck during 2019 having scored eight times during the first half of the campaign.
Yann Karamoh has been suspended for disciplinary reasons, and his absence this weekend may potentially lead to Bedouet placing faith in Josh Maja for the first time since his January arrival from Sunderland.
The 20-year-old is regarded as one for the future by Bordeaux, but being handed a four-and-a-half-year contract suggests that Bedouet will have no fear in handing Maja his first outing at Parc des Princes.
Recent form: DLWWLL
Recent form (all competitions): LWWLLL
Team News
© ReutersMarco Verratti is nearing a return to action for PSG, but the midfielder may not be risked ahead of the visit to Old Trafford.
January arrival Leandro Paredes could drop down to the bench for this weekend's fixture, with Dani Alves being used in the centre of the pitch.
Tuchel will recall the players who either missed or began the encounter with Villefranche among the replacements.
Bordeaux will be without Samuel Kalu after his red card in midweek, and Karamoh will also miss out after being suspended by the club.
Jimmy Briand is expected to lead the line, with Maja perhaps having to make do with a spot on the bench if named in the squad.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Buffon; Meunier, Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat; Alves, Marquinhos, Draxler; Mbappe, Cavani, Di Maria
Bordeaux possible starting lineup:
Costil; Palencia, Kounde, Pablo, Sabaly; Tchouameni, Otavio, Sankhare; Preville, Briand, Kamano
Head To Head
PSG have put together an eight-match unbeaten streak against Bordeaux, with five wins and three draws being recorded since September 2015.
Bordeaux have not tasted success at Parc des Princes since 2010 when a last-gasp Michael Ciani goal earned the visitors a 2-1 triumph.
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 Bordeaux
PSG would have felt deflated having lost their unbeaten league record last weekend, but we expect a positive response with Tuchel demanding an improved showing ahead of the Champions League meeting with Manchester United.
