The Trophee des Champions (French Super Cup) heads to Austria this year with Paris Saint-Germain looking to claim a fourth straight title. The capital outfit have won the last three editions (held in Gabon, China and Canada respectively), scoring two goals on every occasion. 2016 will also be the first time the Super Cup will be held in a European country other France.
PSG won the 2015/16 Ligue 1 title by a resounding 31 points, leading the way almost from the off, eventually totalling 96 points from a possible 114. They also smashed through the 100 goals barrier at a canter, with the unstoppable Zlatan Ibrahimovic contributing 50 in all competitions.
Troyes 0-9 PSG (Zlatan scores four- courtesy Vid.me)
Ibrahimovic has opted to cross the Channel and move to the Premier League by joining Jose Mourinho and Manchester United and PSG have a new manager next season in Unai Emery, but few will bet against the Parisians retaining their league crown. In fact, they’re being quoted as low as 1.08 to defend their title- incredible odds given that the season is yet to start.
Despite the departures of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Laurent Blanc, PSG still remain favourites to win Ligue 1
As far as the punters are concerned, PSG are already champions. A look at Matchbook and other bookmakers reveals that the likes of Monaco, Lyon and Marseille are not really expected to stop the Parisian juggernaut, with Unai Emery’s side expected to steamroll everyone in their way for the fourth straight year.
The Super Cup fixture against Olympique Lyonnais on August 6 is a chance for Emery to lay down a marker before the champions make the long trip from Paris to Corsica to begin their title defence (against Bastia)
Will it be four Super Cups in a row for PSG?
Over 4.5 Goals Scored (@ 6.22)
Though PSG will not have the luxury of “Ibra” decimating opposition defences, the champions still boast unrivalled depth and a three-time Europa League winner in Unai Emery at the helm.
The brand of football Emery employed at Sevilla, if transferred to the French scene, will enable PSG to continue attacking in their typically uncompromising manner, while also leaving room for adaption and evolution. With nothing truly meaningful riding on the result, a more open game is expected, providing justification for the bolder gambler to back a high-scoring match.
Even with league points or cup progress at stake, goals have been plentiful in this fixture, with cautious moves a rarity from either side. No matter how desperately Lyon may try to contain PSG, the champions always find a way through.
PSG Win + European Handicap of –2 (@ 5.01)
What is Emery’s loss is a gambler’s gain, since Ibrahimovic’s departure also lengthens the odds of a handicapped victory for PSG. Undeniably though, the current squad still boasts more than enough talent to score a multitude of goals against domestic opposition.
Furthermore, Lyon have conceded a total of thirteen goals in the five most recent matches against PSG, establishing the reigning champions as the truly dominant force in the rivalry.
Correct Scoreline (2-1 PSG @ 7.73)
For all PSG’s dominance, it is worth noting that Lyon have a small psychological advantage ahead of the Super Cup match. Lyon won the last encounter 2-1 at Stade des Lumieres in February, ending PSG’s unbeaten run of eight games against them.
Although this was a famous victory for Lyon, gamblers will do well to remember that PSG had practically secured the Ligue 1 title by this point. Naturally, this caused Laurent Blanc’s charges to shift much of the focus to what was ultimately an unsuccessful Champions League knockout campaign.
In the past three seasons, 2-1 has also been the most common winning scoreline for the French champions when victorious over Lyon.