A new-look PSG side with a new direction takes on J-League side Cerezo Osaka in their club's summer tour of Japan on Friday.
The French giants are without Lionel Messi, who departed for Inter Miami, and Kylian Mbappe, who is currently embattled in a transfer standoff with the club and did not make the trip. That leaves just Brazilian star Neymar from PSG's once-fearsome attacking trio.
Friday's game against Cerezo Osaka is the second of four games for PSG in east Asia, following Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Al Nassr plus matches against Inter Milan (in Tokyo) and Jeonbuk Motors (in Busan, South Korea) still to come. It is the second straight summer that PSG are touring Japan, after taking on Kawasaki Frontale, Urawa Reds, and Gamba Osaka through July of last year.
Cerezo Osaka sit fifth in the J-League table through 21 matches, nine points back of leaders Vissel Kobe and just four behind third-place Nagoya for the final AFC Champions League spot.
PSG vs Cerezo Osaka match facts
- Date: Friday, July 28
- Kickoff Time: 7:20 p.m. JST / 6:20 a.m. ET / 11:20 a.m. BST / 8:20 p.m. AEST
- Location: Yanmar Stadium Nagai (Osaka, Japan)
- Last meeting: None (First meeting)
PSG vs Cerezo Osaka prediction
- Moneyline lean: Draw
- Score prediction: Cerezo Osaka 1-1 PSG
PSG have suffered significant turnover at the club this summer, both tangibly within the squad and also from a philosophy standpoint. The club ownership seems to have swung wildly from a superstar-centric mentality to a more long-term approach towards building a squad.
Thus, Lionel Messi departed and Kylian Mbappe's future is in serious doubt, while they brought in the likes of Manuel Ugarte, Lucas Hernandez, and Kang-in Lee, and more additions appear likely, especially in attack. With all that turnover, there are sure to be some early blips, especially as new head coach Luis Enrique — oh yea, they have a new coach too, for the third straight preseason — looks to sort out his patchwork squad.
PSG vs Cerezo Osaka best bet
- Pick: Under 3.5 total goals
We saw what Japanese sides can do to European clubs early in their preseason, as Celtic fumbled their match against Yokohama F Marinos and won a tight one against Gamba Osaka. Teams traveling across the globe for preseason games against clubs in mid-season form will always struggle to perform.
Cerezo Osaka is a quality team that can defend well, conceding just 23 goals in 21 league matches this season, and PSG's depleted attack will find it tough to pile up goals.
PSG fans will need to refocus and take a long-term approach to this season, as there could be some significant blips, and they could begin as early as this preseason friendly.
PSG vs Cerezo Osaka live stream, TV channel
Preseason games are not always available for broadcast or streaming with PSG providing an in-house option for supporters.
PSG TV will stream the game for fans across the world as part of their wider coverage of the Japan tour.
There are additional options available in Australia, via Paramount+.
