PSG have just smashed the world transfer record to sign Neymar for £200 million and the Brazilian superstar is set to make his debut against Guingamp this weekend. Neymar will link up with his new teammates for the visit to Brittany and is expected to start as Ligue 1 anticipates that his paperwork will be complete in time for the 8pm kick-off. It should provide PSG with a welcome shot in the arm as they bid to wrestle the Ligue 1 title back from Monaco and they should dispatch Guingamp comfortably.
Antoine Kombouare’s team are no mugs and started the season with a 3-1 win courtesy of a penalty from captain Jimmy Briand, a side-footed strike from Abdoul Camara and a late strike from Moustapha Diallo. Guingamp finished mid-table last season and the highlight was a 2-1 win over PSG at the Stade de Roudourou. It was a disaster for Unai Emery, but PSG gained revenge by beating Guingamp 4-0 at the Parc des Princes in April. Edinson Cavani scored twice and further goals from Angel Di Maria and Blaise Matuidi sealed the rout. PSG have won four of their last five games against Guingamp and there have been some pretty heavy scorelines, including a 6-0 in 2014-15 and a 3-0 in 2015-16.
Beating PSG here last season could give Guingamp a psychological boost, but that is nothing compared to the heightened confidence PSG players will get by seeing Neymar in the dressing room. His arrival should give everyone a lift and inspire them to take back their crown from Monaco. They are now as low as 1/9 with some bookmakers to win the title this season, although green listed bookmakers is offering 1/6 and that looks like money in the bank as the vultures continue to rip apart Monaco’s title-winning side. PSG can make a real statement by swatting aside Guingamp here.
They barely broke a sweat in the first game of the season as they beat Amiens 2-0 courtesy of goals from Cavani and Javier Pastore. PSG have a strong attacking triumvirate in Cavani, Di Maria and Pastore and it will be interesting to see who makes way for Neymar. Pastore has already given the Brazilian his number 10 shirt to make him feel at home, and he could well be the man to give up his place in the starting 11 as Cavani scored 39 goals last season and Di Maria is one of the world’s greatest creative forces.
A front three of Neymar, Cavani and Di Maria is extremely fearsome. It may not quite match the panache of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who reigned supreme at Barcelona in recent years, and that is perhaps why PSG are being linked with Kylian Mbappe and Alexis Sanchez. But Neymar, Cavani and Di Maria should certainly be enough to see off Guingamp.
As such PSG are just 3/10 to win it with Stan James, so if you want value you will have to go for a handicap. There is always a chance that a plucky underdog like Guingamp could spoil the party, but it is highly unlikely. PSG -1.5 is 4/5 with 888Bet and that looks a very interesting option. Paddy Power is also offering 10/11 on Neymar scoring at any time and that has to be taken really. He is a man for the big occasions, as he repeatedly showed with goals for Barca in the Champions League and Copa Del Rey finals, and if he plays he should score. Ligue 1 is a step down in class from La Liga and someone of Neymar’s calibre should clear up in a similar fashion to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The 2/1 on offer at Bet Stars on Neymar to finish the season as top scorer also looks interesting. Cavani is understandably the favourite on the back of his goal scoring exploits last season, and he could feature as the focal point of the attack, but Neymar is improving all the time and should be able to put Ligue 1 teams to the sword week in, week out as he seeks that elusive Balon d’Or.
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