Paris Saint-Germain are in a difficult situation at the moment as they not only have to beat group leaders Athletic Bilbao, but also need a favour from bottom-placed Slovan Bratislava.

Los Leones, on the other hand, have already ensured the first place in the group and Marcelo Bielsa is expected to field a severely weakened line-up.

The French giants may have spent more than €100 million on new players in the summer, but they are still struggling to fulfill their potential.

The Saints are doing well in Ligue 1, where they are tied on points with surprise leaders Montpellier, but they are now on the verge of European elimination.

PSG are now tied on points with second-placed Salzburg, but taking into account their inferior head to head record, the Saints will have to better the result of the Austrians in the final round.

Recording a win over second-string Athletic side shouldn’t be a problem, which is why I see odds of 1.67 (2/3) offered by Stan James on home win as a real gift, but, in order to go through, Paris Saint-Germain will also need Slovan to take at least one point from their game with Salzburg.

Coach Antoine Kombouare is expected to field a very strong side, although Guillaume Hoarau is doubtful and Blaise Matuidi and Clement Chantome are sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Sirigu – Ceara, Bisevac, Sakho, Jallet – Bodmer, Sissoko – Nene, Pastore, Menez – Gameiro.

After showing a lot of promise last season, Atheltic Bilbao have done well to justify their improved status in Spanish football, especially thanks to their solid showings in Europa League.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side taught PSG’s expensively assembled squad a real lesson in football at their San Mames, while they also did well against other rivals in the group, thus ensuring the first place in the group even before the final round.

Team’s domestic performances were also pretty good, but Athletic were often unable to turn their dominance into goals, and that could end up costing them dearly come end of the season.

After los Leones missed out on the win against Racing Santander by conceding the equalizer deep into injury time, coach Bielsa has decided to rest several starters for the first time this season, leaving Javi Martinez, Fernando Amorebieta, Oscar de Marcos and Ander Herrera in Spain.

Fernando Llorente, Carlos Gurpegui, Aitor Ocio, Igor Martinez and Xabi Castillo remain sidelined, meaning that several very talented youngsters will get their chance to shine.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Raul – Ramalho, Ekiza, San Jose, Koikili – David Lopez, Ruiz de Galarreta, Inigo Perez – Ibai Gomez, Toquero, Gabilondo.