Paris Saint-Germain vs. Strasbourg 8/14/21 Ligue 1 Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

PSG is welcoming Strasbourg to Parc des Princes in round 2 of the French Ligue 1. There has been a lot of noise around PSG of the last few days, and understandably so because they signed Messi. As the last season ended for Strasbourg, this season has started, sloppy. Strasbourg is on a 2-game losing streak.

PSG has signed a bunch of fantastic players, and with them on the roster, PSG is the biggest candidate to win the Champions League this season. As far as their season opener goes, PSG was playing against Troyes on the road, and they have had 57% of ball possession, 3 shots on goal, 1 corner kick, 2 big chances created, and a high 93% of the correct passes. PSG has conceded a goal early, in the 9^th minute, but in the 19^th and the 21^st minute, PSG has scored 2 goals, and they have won this match 1-2. Icardi and Hakimi have each scored 1 goal for PSG in that game. Messi is not injured, but he is still not game-ready and will sit this one out. Bernat, Ramos, Gueye, Dagba, and Letellier are all injured for PSG. Once all of their players are ready and healthy, PSG will be hard to stop, in Ligue 1 and in the Champions League, if Pochettino can control all that ego in the locker room, and that will be hard.

Strasbourg was one of the teams that were close to relegation last season, but they managed to pull through. Strasbourg has ended in 15^th place with 42 points, 49 scored goals, and 58 conceded goals. Strasbourg is now on a 2-game losing streak, but they have had some good moments in their preseason. In their game against Angers last week, Strasbourg has had 57% of ball possession, 1 shot on goal, 5 corner kicks, and 81% of the correct passes. Overall, this was a solid game for Strasbourg, at least in the first half, but they have conceded 2 goals in the second half, and they ended up losing this match 0-2. There are no injuries or suspensions in Strasbourg at this time. Strasbourg is not a particularly good team, on either end, and I’m not sure if they will be lucky enough this season to avoid the relegation unless they improve their defense. I see Strasbourg in the bottom half of the table this season once again, the only question is if that will be above or in the relegation zone.

PSG has been dominant in this matchup, but Strasbourg hasn’t lost any of their last 6 away games. PSG hasn’t lost any of their last 6 home games. PSG is the better team here, and it’s not even a question. There is only 1 way to go here, and that is to take PSG to win, and I will take it.