Paris Saint-Germain vs Auxerre - Ligue 1: Team news, lineups & prediction
Paris Saint-Germain host promoted Auxerre for their final Ligue 1 match before Christmas on Sunday lunchtime.
Les Parisiens are yet to lose a game under the stewardship of Christophe Galtier, Mauricio Pochettino's replacement this summer.
Auxerre's dugout has seen less success and more turnover this term. Jean-Marc Furlan led the Burgandy outfit out of the second tier but departed after ten games. His assistant Michel Padovani warmed the hot seat under Christophe Pelissier took the reigns last month.
Here's everything you need to know about the meeting between Ligue 1's leaders and one of the division's strugglers.
Where are PSG vs Auxerre playing?
- Location: Paris, France
- Stadium: Parc des Princes
- Date: Sunday 13 November
- Kick-off Time: 12:00 GMT / 08:00 EST / 05:00 PST
- VAR: Johan Hamel
- Referee: Thomas Leonard
PSG vs Auxerre H2H Results (Last Five Games)
PSG: 2 Wins
Auxerre: 2 Wins
Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
PSG: WWWWW
Auxerre: LDLWD
PSG team news
Lionel Messi missed PSG's 2-1 win over Lorient last weekend with an Achilles tendon complaint. However, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has since returned to training.
Presnel Kimpembe is also on the road to recovery from an Achilles issue. But second-choice goalkeeper Keylor Navas has been absent with a back problem this month and Fabian Ruiz is struggling with a muscular injury.
PSG predicted lineup vs Auxerre
PSG Starting 11 (3-4-1-2): Donnarumma; Ramos, Marquinhos, Danilo; Hakimi, Vitinha, Verratti, Mendes; Neymar; Messi, Mbappe.
Bench: Rico, Bernat, Sanches, Sarabia, Mukiele, Soler, Bitshiabu, Zaire-Emery, Ekitike.
Auxerre team news
While Theo Pellenard continues his rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament injury, Pelissier may still be without Youssouf M'Changama, who has been sidelined with a calf problem since October.
Kays Ruiz-Atil and Brayann Pereira have made three league starts between them this season, a meagre tally which isn't set to be bolstered in the near future as both continue to nurse niggling fitness concerns.
Auxerre predicted lineup vs PSG
Auxerre Starting 11 (4-4-2): Costil; Raveloson, Jubal, Jeanvier, Mensah; Sinayoko, Toure, Sakhi, Hein; Charbonnier, Da Costa.
Bench: Leon, Bernard, Camara, Perrin, Coeff, Dugimont, Joly, Autret, Bain.
PSG vs Auxerre score prediction
The QSI-owned PSG have three of the stars heading to Qatar next week in their frontline. Both the players and hierarchy will desperately want to avoid any tournament-jeopardising injuries this weekend.
Galtier noted last Sunday that he "saw a bit of restraint, a bit of fear in challenges" from his players - Neymar aside interestingly. However, even playing within themselves, PSG should be able to hold off the efforts of a side with one point from their last five away games.
Prediction: PSG 2-1 Auxerre