Seattle Sounders will aim to finish their rather tough group stage round with at least a point, with PSG angling for a passage to the knockout phase.
Seattle Sounders are on the brink of elimination from this edition of the Club World Cup at the group stages, and they would need a miraculous set of results to stand of chance of progressing while beating PSG on Monday. Having lost their opening two games against Botafogo and Atletico Madrid, any chance of going through for the MLS side will depend on some wild outcomes elsewhere.
For starters, Seattle Sounders need to stun PSG in their final group game while hoping that Botafogo can win their game against Atletico Madrid by a big goal margin. Hence, it is safe to assume the MLS side are all but ousted from the tournament, although it might be a tough end to this particular group to see which two sides progress into the next round.
Meanwhile, PSG are in a territory where Luis Enrique must ensure a win as a possible result to guarantee a place in the next round. That might come at the expense of Atletico Madrid following the Parisians’ victory over the Spanish giants in the opening group game.
However, they lost to Botafogo in the second clash after an Igor Jesus shot deflected off Willian Pacho which proved to be the eventual winner. All PSG need to do is get a win over Seattle Sounders and better Atletico’s result against Botafogo. While they have a good chance to book their place in the knockout phase, the Parisians and European Champions will not top the group in any way.
Team News & Tactics
Seattle Sounders
Brian Schmetzer is expected to ring in the changes to his side when Seattle Sounders take on PSG with a slim hope of miraculously making it through to the next round.
One of the first alterations will come in the right-back slot as Kalani Kossa-Rienzi was withdrawn with a knock against Atletico Madrid, and he might be unavailable. Alex Roldan is the likeliest candidate to replace him, while the manager could make further changes at the back.
Jon Bell will retain his place but might move to the right side of the central defence to accommodate Kim Kee-hee in the setup. Nouhou Tolo could come in at left-back at the expense of Reed Baker-Whiting.
Obed Vargas and Cristian Roldan will keep their places in central midfield as well as Pedro de la Vega and last game’s goalscorer Albert Rusnak. However, Schmetzer could change personnel in the attacking third, as Ryan Kent could replace Paul Rothrock on the left, while Jesus Ferreira might come in place of Danny Musovski.
Probable Lineup – (4-2-3-1): Frei; Alex Roldan, Bell, Kim, Nouhou; Vargas, Cristian Roldan; De la Vega, Rusnak, Kent; Ferreira
PSG
Luis Enrique might have to contend without his superstar forward Ousmane Dembele, who continues to struggle with a thigh issue. So, PSG will hope he is fit for the latter stages of the competition if they go through on Monday.
With a win needed to progress either way, the PSG boss could recall some of his key regulars to the lineup and put forward his strongest possible lineup to face the MLS side.
As a result, the likes of Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz are all primed to start this game. Warren Zaire-Emery could go back on the substitutes’ bench, while Senny Mayulu could do the same to accommodate Neves and Ruiz, respectively.
Similarly in the final third, Goncalo Ramos might be benched as Enrique could change the dynamics of his attack. So, Lee Kang-in and Bradley Barcola could return in place of the Portuguese forward and the ineffective Desire Doue.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Lee, Barcola, Kvaratshkelia
Key Stats
Seattle Sounders are yet to register a win in this edition of the CWC.
Seattle Sounders have lost four of their last six games across all competitions.
PSG’s loss to Botafogo ended their five-game winning run across all competitions.
PSG need a point to finish in the top two of their group.
Player to Watch
Bradley Barcola
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The competition for places at PSG is much higher than one can imagine, and Luis Enrique is not afraid to chop and change his setup irrespective of how an individual performs. For starters, the idea of dropping Doue, a player who has been immense to their season would be a simple task for the manager, as he is expected to do that to bring in Barcola in the mix.
Barcola needs a big performance to spark into life, and that might come in the form of this game against the Seattle Sounders. The French wide man might play centrally against the MLS side, which could allow him to stake a claim heading into the knockout phase to be a top selection for Enrique. Hence, he needs to drop a solid enough performance coupled with goals or assists.
Prediction
Seattle Sounders 0-4 PSG
Seattle Sounders may still have a mathematical chance of qualifying, but it is more of a dream that depends on improbable factors heading into the final group game. While they have not registered a single win so far, they are tasked with beating European champions PSG, which might feel like a steep challenge.
PSG will be reeling from their surprise loss to Botafogo, and Luis Enrique will make the changes to make his team stronger. There might be a repeat of their performance against Atletico Madrid, as the Parisians are expected to score plenty of goals, even four or more against Seattle Sounders to emphatically seal their progression into the next round of the Club World Cup.