Paris Saint-Germain will look to maintain their historic unbeaten campaign in Ligue 1 when they travel to the Stade de la Beaujoire to face a struggling FC Nantes side on Tuesday evening. While the Parisians have already wrapped up the title, the drive for invincibility and a potential domestic and European treble ensures that Luis Enrique’s men remain fully focused.
PSG’s narrow 2-1 victory over Le Havre at the weekend might not have been the most convincing performance, but it was enough to extend their winning streak to 10 league games and keep their dream of a perfect season alive. With five matches remaining, the Parisians now eye another record—surpassing Nantes’ own 32-game unbeaten start to a Ligue 1 season.
Though PSG have dominated Nantes in recent years—winning 22 of the past 26 encounters—the reverse fixture this season was one of the rare blemishes in an otherwise stellar campaign. Despite recording an incredible 84% possession and completing over 1,000 passes, PSG were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Antoine Kombouaré’s disciplined Canaries.
For Nantes, the objective is far more straightforward: survival. Sitting just three points above the relegation zone, their recent form has been far from reassuring, with six losses in their last nine league matches. A red card to Marcus Coco and a late goal condemned them to a painful defeat against Rennes last time out, increasing the urgency ahead of their final run-in.
Although this rescheduled clash is seen as a free hit for Nantes, they’ll know the points could be crucial. The good news? Their remaining fixtures are far more favourable, with all four of their final opponents currently in the bottom half of the table. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Antoine Kombouaré will be without several key players ahead of Tuesday night’s clash with PSG. Right-back Marcus Coco is suspended after picking up a red card against Rennes, while fellow defender Fabien Centonze remains sidelined due to long-term injury concerns. Goalkeeper Alban Lafont is still not being considered for selection for undisclosed reasons, meaning Nantes must again look further down the pecking order between the posts.
There is further concern in goal with the second-choice Anthony Lopes and winger Sorba Thomas both suffering injuries during the weekend fixture. As a result, third-choice Patrick Carlgren is expected to start between the sticks, making just his sixth appearance for the club. The injury list also includes midfielder Francis Coquelin (hamstring), attacker Adel Mahamoud (knee), and defender Sekou Doucoure (shoulder), all of whom are unavailable for selection.
In terms of tactical setup, Nantes are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Patrick Carlgren will start in goal behind a back four of Nicolas Cozza at left-back, Jean-Charles Castelletto and Nicolas Pallois as the central defenders, and Kelvin Amian at right-back. The midfield trio could feature Johann Lepenant at the base, flanked by Douglas Augusto and the young Louis Leroux for energy and balance. In the forward line, Mostafa Mohamed is expected to lead the line, with Matthis Abline operating from the right and Moses Simon providing width and pace on the left.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Carlgren; Amian, Castelletto, Pallois, Cozza; Lepenant, Augusto, Leroux; Abline, Mohamed, Simon
Luis Enrique rotated his squad significantly in the narrow 2-1 win over Le Havre at the weekend, resting several first-team regulars to preserve energy ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Aston Villa. Ousmane Dembélé was left out of the squad entirely, while midfielders Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, and João Neves all started on the bench. Additionally, first-choice left-back Nuno Mendes was rested, allowing 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye to make a rare first-team appearance.
No fresh injury concerns have been reported following the weekend match. However, long-term absentees Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles tendon rupture) and Milan Škriniar (ankle) remain sidelined and are not expected to feature. With no suspensions to contend with, Enrique is likely to name a stronger XI on Tuesday to ensure his key players maintain match sharpness before rotating again during the weekend fixture against OGC Nice.
For this rearranged Ligue 1 fixture, PSG are expected to return to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation. Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Warren Zaïre-Emery at right-back, captain Marquinhos and Lucas Beraldo at centre-back, and Theo Hernandez at left-back.
In midfield, Senny Mayulu may retain his spot alongside João Neves and Lee Kang-in to offer creativity and tempo. In attack, Ousmane Dembélé should return on the right wing, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the left and Gonçalo Ramos operating as the central striker.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Hernandez; Mayulu, Neves, Lee; Dembele, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia
Nantes have only won 3 of their last 30 Ligue 1 matches against Paris Saint-Germain (D3, L24). However, they could remain unbeaten against PSG in a single Ligue 1 season for the first time since 2002-03, having drawn 1-1 in the reverse fixture.
PSG have defeated Nantes 27 times in Ligue 1 in the 21st century (D5, L6), which is the second-most wins by a club against a single opponent in that span—only behind their 28 victories over Marseille.
Nantes have conceded 49 goals this Ligue 1 season—second-most after 29 games in club history. Only 33% of those goals (16) have come at home, the second-lowest home concession rate in the league behind Auxerre.
PSG have scored 3+ goals in each of their last 3 away Ligue 1 matches (13 goals total) and could extend that to four consecutive away games for the first time since 2022.
The Canaries have won 2 of their last 3 home Ligue 1 matches, but those are as many wins as in their previous 19 home games (D4, L13). Their 31 home goals (16 scored, 15 conceded) is the lowest goal tally at home in the division.
While Paris Saint-Germain continue their pursuit of an unbeaten Ligue 1 campaign, all eyes will be on Ousmane Dembélé, whose explosive pace and dribbling could once again prove decisive. The Frenchman has flourished under Luis Enrique this season, showcasing not just his flair on the wing, but a growing maturity in decision-making and final-third execution.
Dembélé has already contributed over 40 goal involvements in all competitions this term, and although he was rested at the weekend, he is expected to return to the starting XI against Nantes. His direct style of play could be a nightmare for a struggling Nantes defence that has already conceded 49 goals this season—16 of them at home.
If PSG are to continue their red-hot scoring form away from home, Dembélé is likely to be at the heart of it, terrorising full-backs and linking up with the likes of Kylian Mbappé or Gonçalo Ramos in attack. Given his recent form, Nantes will need to be at their absolute best to keep him quiet.
Given the gulf in form, quality, and squad depth, it’s hard to see anything other than a comfortable PSG win here. Luis Enrique will want to wrap this game up early and rest key players ahead of the second leg against Aston Villa in the Champions League. Nantes may put up a fight early, but the league leaders should eventually pull away with ease.
