Troyes Vs Paris Saint-Germain
Troyes Vs Paris Saint-Germain Saturday 7 August, 2021 – 20:00 (BST)
French Ligue 1
Pick: PSG Win & Both To Score
Odds: 19/10
Bookmaker: WilliamHill
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 4 July 2021)
Preview: A formidable opening assignment for newly promoted Troyes sees Laurent Batlles’ men taking on Mauricio Pochettino and his expensively-assembled cast of Parisiens stars, with PSG kicking off their 2021-22 Ligue 1 season in north east France at Stade de l’Abube.
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Table of Contents
Troyes – Results at home critical to Ligue 1 survival?
In 2015-16, Troyes infamously lost 9-0 to Paris Saint-Germain on their way to demotion back to Ligue 2. The club has since bounced between the country’s top tiers, culminating in their second promotion to France’s top division in five seasons after finishing five points in the clear atop Ligue 2 in 2020-21. Unsurprisingly therefore, their goal for the season ahead is all about consolidation.
ESTAC didn’t excel at either end of the pitch during last season’s promotion run, finishing as the fourth highest scorers with a modest average of 1.58 goals per game and with the third strongest defence (36 allowed in 38 matches). Scoring might well prove the biggest hurdle to retaining their top-flight status, having been heavily reliant on 34-year-old Tunisian, Yoann Touzghar, for goals last time around.
One area they can expect to maximise their output is at home. Last season, Troyes were comfortably the most consistent host in Ligue 2, recording 15 of 23 wins and losing only once in nineteen outings (W15 D3 L1) at Stade de l’Abube. And if they could somehow start 2021-22 as they finished 2020-21, which was winning five of six and scoring two or more in all the last five, that would set them up nicely.
Paris Saint-Germain – New additions can revive domestic dominance?
Mauricio Pochettino has been incredibly proactive in the summer window in an effort to transform the fortunes of a team which had become complacent last time around. As while they did add a record 14th Coupe de France at the end of 2020/21, PSG were forced to settle for second in the league as their stranglehold over Ligue 1 was severed by a spirited Lille side who clinched the title on the final day.
One point was the difference in the end. A slender margin that Pochettino will be bullish he can overturn, and then some, in the forthcoming season. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, recently voted best player at Euro 2020, along with Sergio Ramos and Achraf Hakimi bolster what was already the second strongest backline in France. While Georginio Wijnaldum brings some badly need dynamism to midfield.
Last week’s 1-0 loss to Lille in the Trophee des Champions was far from ideal, with that another to add to their growing collection against their main rivals. PSG lost a combined five times to Lille, Lyon, Marseille and Monaco last season, ultimately costing them their Ligue 1 crown. So while it is these contests which are set to define whether this term can be a success or not, their margin for error elsewhere is razor thin.
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Troyes Vs PSG Betting Advice
Talk about a baptism of fire for newly promoted Troyes. They take on PSG, the favourites to reclaim the Ligue 1 title, first time out in the knowledge they last registered a league win over Les Parisiens two decades ago in 2001. Since then it has been utter dominance from Paris Saint-Germain, winning the past seven meetings in a row and by an aggregate of 24-2, with the last three all being without conceding.
Troyes Vs PSG– Key Facts:
- Paris Saint-Germain are aiming to record their eighth consecutive Ligue 1 victory against Troyes, who only mustered two goals across these games to the 24 of PSG.
- Troyes‘ successful promotion campaign in 2021-22, topping Ligue 1, was built on a strong record at home that seen them win 15 and lose only one of 19 said fixtures.
- PSG retain no preference for where they played last season (13 wins at home, 13 wins away) but did end it by conceding in four of their final five away encounters.
Last season in Ligue 2, Troyes were immense on their own patch. Laurent Batlles’ men were only beaten the once having netted in all 19 Stade de l’Abube encounters. This is clearly a significant step up. However, PSG were hardly watertight at the back on their travels last time, conceding in nine of 19 away fixtures. They’re also in the process of re-jigging their defence. I ultimately expect the visitors to emerge triumphant, though.
Best Betting Odds – Troyes Vs Paris Saint-Germain
Troyes – 11/1 (WilliamHill)
Draw – 5/1 (BetVictor)
Paris Saint-Germain – 1/4 (PaddyPower)
