Clermont vs Paris SG prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-08-05 19:00.
After finishing 17th in their very first Ligue 1 season, Clermont are largely expected to struggle again this time around, especially as four teams will be directly relegated to Ligue 2 next June. Coach Pascal Gastien’s side will also have to cope with the huge loss of forward Mohamed Bayo who joined Lille this summer, a player that was involved in 50% of Clermont’s league goals last season!
There isn’t much comfort to be had at home either, as the hosts have won just one of their previous eight Ligue 1 outings at Gabriel Montpied Stadium (D2, L5), a run that included a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of none other than Paris Saint-Germain! Despite the signings of experienced players like Maxime Gonalons and Mehdi Zeffane, many expect Clermont to crumble again against the title holders here.
Visitors PSG are expected to celebrate their 50th season in Ligue 1 with an 11th title, which would make them the most successful team in French top-flight history. By replacing coach Mauricio Pochettino with Christophe Galtier this summer, the team from the French capital are attempting to create a new identity, with PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi stating that “it's the end of the glitter”.
The former Nice coach perfectly launched his stay in Paris by winning the club’s 11th Trophée des Champions last weekend via a 4-0 victory against Nantes. The omens look good for the visitors to win here too, as coach Galtier has never lost his first game in charge of a Ligue 1 club (W1, D2), and you have to go back to 2005 to find the last time a coach lost their first league game in the PSG dugout.
Players to watch: Clermont could rely on Elbasan Rashani for a good start as he’s been his team’s first scorer in his last five goalscoring Ligue 1 matches. If Kylian Mbappé scores first it could be a great sign for PSG as they won all eight league games in which he opened the scoring last season.
Hot streak: The last three times PSG played Ligue 1 matchday one on the road they won by a one-goal margin.