Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain have the chance to exact revenge on basement boys Guingamp this weekend when the sides face off at the Parc des Princes.
The league clash comes just 10 days on from the visitors pulling off a shock victory at this ground to knock PSG out of the Coupe de la Ligue, ending their opponents' hopes of landing another domestic treble.
Paris Saint-Germain
© Reuters
That quarter-final loss to Guingamp at the Parc des Prince on January 9 was a tough one to take for PSG, who tasted defeat in French football for the first time since May 2018.
Thomas Tuchel's men were expected to cruise into the final four and indeed go on to win the competition for a sixth year in a row to prolong their stronghold of every major honour available to them domestically.
Instead, the best PSG can hope for is a Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double, with Strasbourg providing the round-of-32 competition in the cup next week, although they are still in with a shout of ending their long wait for Champions League success.
In the league, meanwhile, the title race - if there ever was one - is all but over as the Parisians are 13 points better off than Lille and 14 points in front of St Etienne, both of whom they have two games in hand on.
PSG's return of 50 points after 18 Ligue 1 games is the best ever for a team at this stage in the competition's history, in fact, with Strasbourg and Bordeaux the only sides to stop them from winning so far.
At home, it is just three defeats in their last 116 league matches - against Rennes in May 2014 and May 2018, and against Monaco in March 2016 - though Guingamp have also shown that they have the ability to return from the capital with victory.
Finding a way through this weekend will be incredibly difficult for the visitors, however, as the champions have shipped just 10 goals all season, keeping a clean sheet in four of their last five Ligue 1 games.
However, exactly half of those goals conceded have come from set-piece situations, perhaps offering Guingamp a little hope of pulling off another smash and grab.
Recent form in Ligue 1: WWDDWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWLW
Guingamp
© Reuters
With the gap at the summit only widening, the remaining four months of the Ligue 1 season will likely be a procession for PSG, with Tuchel's side ticking off each game as it comes between now and the end of May.
This weekend's match does have some added spice to it, though, thanks to Guingamp's triumph here earlier this month, which leaves them on course for a third major honour in a decade.
Guingamp, winners of the Coupe de France in 2009 and 2014, must ensure that their focus remains on league matters between now and their semi-final clash with Monaco.
In that regard, things are looking particularly bleak for Jocelyn Gourvennec's side as they find themselves rooted to the foot of the division, four points adrift of 17th-placed Amiens.
That does not quite tell the whole story, though, as they have won two of their last three matches - including an away win at fellow strugglers Monaco - to revive their campaign.
Two wins from their last three Ligue 1 matches equals their tally from the previous 23 games, and they are now going in search of consecutive away wins for the first time since April 2016.
In all competitions, meanwhile, five wins from six has given Guingamp real hope that they can have a more enjoyable first half to 2019, with a cup run and survival the only aims.
Recent form in Ligue 1: DLLWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWLW
Team News
© Reuters
Neymar was not included in PSG's squad for the win over Amiens last weekend, but he has been integrated back into full training this week and should be handed a start here.
An injury picked up by Gianluigi Buffon has seen the veteran Italian goalkeeper miss out on selection since PSG's campaign resumed two weeks ago, so Alphonse Areola will retain his place between the sticks.
There is a chance that Layvin Kurzawa could be recalled to the starting lineup after coming off the bench last weekend, meanwhile, with Tuchel also having to prepare for the midweek cup tie against Strasbourg.
In terms of the visitors, Gourvennec must choose between Marc-Aurele Caillard and Karl-Johan Johnsson in goal, with the former being preferred of late.
Etienne Didot was not used in the win over rivals Rennes in midweek, but he should be welcomed back here, possibly at the expense of Lebogang Phiri.
Three of Guingamp's last four goals in Ligue 1 have been assisted by Ludovic Blas, and the manager will likely stick with a winning formula from last time out.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Areola; Meunier, Marquinhos, Silva, Kurzawa; Di Maria, Verratti, Draxler; Mbappe, Cavani, Neymar
Guingamp possible starting lineup:
Caillard; Ikoko, Kerbrat, Eboa, Rebocho; Deaux, Didot; Coco, Rodelin, Thuram; Roux
Head To Head
Following their recent 2-1 win at the Parc des Princes, earned through late goals from Yeni Ngbakoto and Marcus Thuram, Guingamp can become the first French team to beat PSG more than once in all competitions in a single season since Nancy in 2011-12.
The hosts have won six of their last eight Ligue 1 games against Guingamp, though, scoring three goals per game on average.
Only taking matches at the Parc des Princes into consideration, PSG have lost just one of their last 12 against this weekend's opponents and are unbeaten in their last eight.
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Guingamp
Guingamp may make the trip to Paris sitting rock bottom of the division, but they are in good form and have already shown that they have what it takes to win at the home of the champions. PSG will be at their strongest this weekend, though, knowing that three more points will take them another step closer to a sixth title in seven seasons, which should see them get the job done with minimal fuss.
