PSG vs Urawa Reds

Saitama Stadium plays host to the first-ever encounter between Paris Saint-Germain and Urawa Reds.

Led by highly-rated manager Christophe Galtier, defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have picked up where they left off last season, winning both pre-season friendlies by an aggregate score of 4-1. After easing past lower-league opposition Quevilly Rouen 2-0 on Galtier’s touchline debut, Paris pulled off a tight 2-1 win over Kawasaki Frontale upon touching down in Japan. It means ‘Les Parisiens’ head into proceedings unbeaten in 11 matches (W8, D3), including four victories in a row in the build-up to this fixture. Kawasaki’s second-half strike last time out was the first goal the French heavyweights conceded in four outings, underlining their tremendous defensive strength. Equally impressive on the other end of the pitch, they’ve netted 2+ goals in their last six games.

On the other hand, Urawa Reds have hit the ground running since a 1-0 Emperor’s Cup heartbreak to lower-league side Kusatsu in late June, going unbeaten in five consecutive matches (W3, D2). Moreover, following a brace of scoring draws in early July, the ‘Red Devils’ have won back-to-back games by an aggregate score of 5-1, scoring on either side of halftime in both triumphs. Urawa’s last three outings have featured 3+ overall goals, highlighting the potential for a ‘goal-friendly’ showdown in Saitama. But the hosts’ indifferent three-game form at the Saitama Stadium (W1, D1, L1) cannot give supporters reasonable cause to believe in an upset.