Current Form and Recent Performances
AJ Auxerre is currently experiencing a challenging phase in Ligue 1, sitting in 11th place and enduring an eight-game winless streak across all competitions. Their recent 1-1 draw against AS Saint-Etienne highlighted their struggles to secure victories, despite Hamed Traor's efforts in scoring. Auxerre's inconsistency is evident in their statistical breakdown, with 30 goals scored and 28 conceded over 23 matches. Their defensive vulnerabilities are a significant concern, having kept only six clean sheets this season. Injuries further complicate their situation, with key players like Nathan Buayi-Kiala and Lasso Coulibaly confirmed absentees, and Hamed Traor facing a late fitness test.
Paris Saint-Germain, on the other hand, is navigating a mixed bag of performances. Despite their domestic dominance, they have shown inconsistency, with recent wins against Saint-Etienne and Lyon, but also a disappointing loss to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League. PSG's resilience was evident in their comeback from a 2-0 deficit in a Champions League match, showcasing the potential of their younger players. However, their inability to consistently perform at the highest level in the Champions League remains a challenge.
Head-to-Head Analysis
Historically, PSG has had the upper hand against AJ Auxerre. In their last 49 meetings, PSG has won 23 times compared to Auxerre's 12 victories. The goal difference is significantly in PSG's favor, with 67 goals scored against Auxerre's 44. Notably, PSG has not lost any of their last five games against Auxerre in all competitions, winning four and drawing one. Auxerre's last home win against PSG was in 2011, indicating a long-standing struggle against the Parisian giants.
Statistical Insights and Predictions
Auxerre's home form has been poor, with three consecutive losses and a failure to score in two of those matches. In contrast, PSG's away performance is strong, averaging 2.65 goals per game. Both teams have shown a tendency to score between the 31st and 45th minutes, with Auxerre scoring 29% of their goals and PSG 22% during this period. Given these trends and PSG's superior form, the prediction leans towards an away victory for PSG. However, considering Auxerre's ability to score, albeit inconsistently, there is a reasonable expectation that both teams will score in this encounter.