Reims vs PSG Odds & Prediction – Messi Set to Debut in Ligue 1
- Reims host PSG on Sunday in Ligue 1 action
- Lionel Messi will make his much-anticipated debut for Paris
- Find the odds, analysis, and prediction below
PSG’s clinical attack will finally be on full display when they visit Reims on Sunday, with Lionel Messi making his debut with the Ligue 1 giants on Matchday 4. The kick-off is scheduled for 2:45 PM EST.
Neymar, who also hasn’t played yet, will return to the starting XI alongside his former Barca teammate and Kylian Mbappe. Reims is also coming off a respectable result in their previous fixture, playing to a 1-1 draw with Metz.
PSG has won the last three matches between the two sides, bagging a total of nine goals while conceding none.
Reims vs PSG Odds
| Matchup | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reims vs PSG | REI +2.5 (-170) | PAR -2.5 (+130) | REI +1300 | PAR -525 | DRAW +225 | Ov 2.5 (-255) | Un 2.5 (+200) |
All odds as of August 28th at DraftKings
Tall Task Ahead for Reims
The hosts finished in 14th spot last term but they’ve enjoyed a decent start to the campaign thus far. Although Reims hasn’t secured a victory quite yet, three straight draws are by no means a failure. Sunday’s meeting with Metz saw all the excitement happen within the first 15 minutes. Midfielder Marshall Munetzi put Reims ahead in the seventh minute but within the blink of an eye, Habib Maiga drew Metz level.
🇿🇼🇫🇷
Marshall Munetsi scored his first goal of the season for Stade Reims ,as they played out to a 1-1 draw against Metz.Another top class performance from @MarshallMunetsi #zimbabwe #Munetsi #ligue1 #zimfootball https://t.co/BV8eM7kjO5 pic.twitter.com/FQnONxdgQm
— Zimbabwe Football ⚽️ 🇿🇼 (@zim_football) August 22, 2021
Oscar Garcia’s side will be hungry for their first three points of the campaign, but the task at hand couldn’t be more daunting. The Red and Whites haven’t beat PSG since 2019 and failed to even score a goal in the last three clashes. It also doesn’t help that Reims are currently on one of their longest winless runs in the French top flight at 11 games. During that span, the club has drawn seven times and suffered four defeats.
Defensively, Reims will need to stay sharp. They’ve conceded just four goals in three matches thus far but will be put to the ultimate test with Messi on the pitch alongside the always dangerous Mbappe and Neymar.
Leo Messi set to make his PSG debut vs REIMS in less than 24 hours, after Pochettino confirms Messi being in the squad and all set to start his journey with the French club. #MessiAuPSG pic.twitter.com/SxrJ80o2ib
— ARG Soccer News ™ 🇦🇷⚽⭐️⭐️⭐️🏆 (@ARG_soccernews) August 28, 2021
From an attacking standpoint, Moreto Cassama will be looking to build off his impressive start, already netting twice after scoring a brace against Montpellier in a thrilling 3-3 draw on Matchday 2.
Will Messi Shine?
The moment that every football fan has been waiting for is finally here. Following his shocking move from Barcelona to the French capital, Messi has been given the green light by gaffer Mauricio Pochettino for Sunday’s encounter. It’s hard to know what to expect from the Argentine right off the bat, but he’s been training for the last couple of weeks with his PSG teammates and already has chemistry with Neymar. Certainly, Messi will be a key part of the attack.
Mauricio Pochettino confirms that Lionel Messi is in the squad vs Reims 👀 pic.twitter.com/vFEvYUz8DQ
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 28, 2021
Paris is off to a smashing start as they aim to snatch back the title from Lille, who just edged them out in 2020/21. Pochettino’s men have already scored 10 times, but their five goals conceded is slightly concerning. Mbappe, who has been linked to a big-money Real Madrid move before the transfer window closes, has been the leading catalyst in the final third, netting once and supplying two assists. Former Manchester United man Ander Herrera has also impressed, scoring twice.
Considering that both Neymar and Messi have yet to suit up, PSG has been showing lots of firepower up top. Given their recent track record against Reims, the Parisians will be aiming to continue their dominance from front to back.
Preparing for tomorrow's game 👊 pic.twitter.com/vfCsTBM7FJ
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 28, 2021
For this fixture, Sergio Ramos is unavailable due to injury and has yet to suit up for PSG in league action. His debut will now have to wait until after the international break. Mauro Icardi, Layvin Kurzawa, and Colin Dagba are all sidelined as well.
Reims vs PSG Key Stats
| 0-3-0 | Record | 3-0-0 |
| 4 | Goals Scored | 10 |
| 4 | Goals Conceded | 5 |
| 9.7 | Shots | 9.7 |
| 4.0 | Shots on Target | 5.3 |
Reims vs PSG Prediction
Considering the moneyline here, there’s little value for PSG as strictly winners at -550. However, they’ve run riot against Reims in recent memory and haven’t had any issues scoring their fair share of goals. With Messi and Neymar in the squad, they’re going to be even more dangerous. That being said, the spread is likely the best bet considering Paris has won two of the last three meetings with the hosts by at least three goals.
Pick: PSG -2.5 (+130)
Quinn Allen is a sports journalist, with a background and education in broadcast journalism (BCIT '17). He is a full-time associate editor at ClutchPoints by day, where he writes about soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and more. At night, Quinn is a frequent contributor at SBD.
