PSG vs Kawasaki Frontale Match Analysis and Prediction

Paris Saint-Germain kick off their pre-season tour of Japan with a showdown against reigning J1 League champions Kawasaki Frontale at the Japan National Stadium on Wednesday evening with kickoff at 1:30 pm.

It is not enough for Paris Saint-Germain to win the Ligue 1 title anymore, and their trigger-happy board made that clear when they relieved Mauricio Pochettino of his duties after just 18 months in charge.

Pochettino helped PSG return to the top of French football, but his side did not go all the way in the Coupe de France or progress past Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Christophe Galtier has arrived at Parc des Princes with Lille after leading Les Dogues to a historic league title last season – their first since 2007 – although they had to settle for fifth place overall despite a solid campaign.

Meanwhile, Kawasaki Frontale were the dominant force in Japan’s top division last season and will relish the opportunity to test their mettle against a fellow national champion.

The Blue-black ended the 2021 season with a whopping 92 points to win their second consecutive J1 League title and fourth since 2017 — finishing 13 points clear of second-placed Yokohama F. Marinos — but they are already playing catch-up this term.

PSG vs Kawasaki Head to Head

Both sides are yet to face against each other and this marks their first encounter. Here is a look at their previous encounters:

Home

• PSG 2-0 Metropole
• PSG 5-0 Metz
• Montpellier 0-4 PSG
• PSG 2-2 Troyes

Away

• Kawasaki 4-0 Gamba Osaka
• Cerezo Osaka 2-1 Kawasaki
• Kawasaki 1-1 Jubilo Iwata
• Kawasaki 0-1 Tokyo Verdy

PSG Team News

Presnel Kimpembe, Idrissa Gueye and Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe are all on the plane to Russia. Mauro Icardi and Sergio Rico have also made the journey despite speculation surrounding a possible move. Ander Herrera, Julian Draxler and Layvin Kurzawa have been left at home.

Kawasaki Team News

As for Kawasaki Frontale, playmaker Yasuto Wakizaka – who leads the team in assists this season with five – could miss Wednesday’s game after coming off against Gamba Osaka with an unspecified injury.

Prediction and Odds

Oniki, playing in front of a home crowd, struck first to put the visitors ahead before PSG, who are still getting used to Galtier’s methods, netted two late goals in their opening match in Japan.

• PSG Win
• Goals Over 2.5
• Half Time: 2-0