Paris Saint-Germain vs Toulouse: 2024 League 1 Preview
Paris Saint-Germain looks forward to hosting Toulouse as the club football kicks off once again after a week’s international break. Where the Parisians have been enjoying their recent streak of winning games, Toulouse has also been impressive with their form winning the last three games. The stage is set at the Parc des Princes where these elites will battle it out.
Match Details
Match: Paris Saint-Germain vs Toulouse
Stadium: Parc des Princes (Paris Saint-Germain’s home)
Date & Time: Nov 22, 2024 at 8 pm UK
Paris Saint-Germain vs Toulouse: Preview
Since Qatar’s takeover of PSG, one goal has always taken precedence: success on the European stage. Yet under current manager Luis Enrique, that ambition is under serious threat. PSG finds itself on the verge of missing out on the Champions League knockout rounds, sitting 25th at the group stage’s halfway point—just outside the top 24 spots needed to advance—after a late 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on matchday four.
With a pivotal midweek clash against Bayern Munich on the horizon, this weekend’s Ligue 1 match against Toulouse might understandably be seen as less of a priority. Domestically, PSG enjoys a six-point lead over second-placed Monaco, a position of relative comfort.
That lead was preserved before the international break, thanks to a 4-2 win over Angers and a narrow 1-0 victory against Lens—a match where Paris Saint-Germain managed a rare home clean sheet. Now, the Parisians have the opportunity to keep consecutive clean sheets at home for the first time in over a year.
However, improving defensively has been a tough task to perform for Toulouse; under the guidance of Carles Martinez, Toulouse became the only team to beat PSG in Ligue 1 across 40 matches last season, securing a memorable victory in May.
The Violets collected four points from the reigning champions in the 2023-24 campaign and now have a chance to go unbeaten against Paris Saint-Germain in three straight matches—a feat they haven’t achieved in over 15 years. Given Toulouse’s strong recent form in Ligue 1, another upset is far from impossible.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Toulouse: Team News
PSG will likely rotate their squad significantly ahead of their high-stakes Champions League clash with Bayern Munich midweek. Marquinhos, serving a one-match suspension, will miss this game, allowing him to rest for the Bayern fixture. He will be joined on the sidelines by injured players Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernández, and Gonçalo Ramos.
Willian Pacho, absent in the win over Angers, is another doubt. Although he featured for Ecuador during the international break, his late return from South America raises questions about his availability.
Ousmane Dembélé is expected to play, despite not being called up for France’s recent matches. However, Randal Kolo Muani, who joined the national team but has struggled for form, may start on the bench again. Luis Enrique’s preference for a false nine formation could continue here.
Toulouse, on the other hand, might stick with the same lineup that secured an impressive 2-0 win at Rennes in their last match. Danish defender Rasmus Nicolaisen remains the only significant injury concern, though late returns from international duty for Mark McKenzie (USA) and Gabriel Suazo (Chile) could force adjustments.
Predicted Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain: Safonov; Hakimi, Lucas Beraldo, Škriniar, Zague; João Neves, Mayulu, Fabián Ruiz; Doué, Asensio, Barcola
Toulouse: Restes; Kamanzi, Sidibé, Cresswell, Akdağ, Donnum; Cáseres, Sierro; Aboukhlal, King, Gboho
Conclusion
The match is not considered important for both teams as they want to seek a good spot in the domestic league race. While Parisians think of remaining in the first spot, Toulouse will look forward to improving their place in the league standings. Some players, such as Barcola, Dembele, and many more elites, can prove themselves as decisive athletes if they win the match and bag those three points comfortably.
