Lensvs.PSG

The Blood and Gold halted a three-game drought across all competitions with a hard-fought 2-1 league victory against relegation-threatened Le Havre last weekend.

Match preview

Andre Ayew's eighth-minute opener in Sunday's clash threatened to extend Lens' struggles, but they responded swiftly as Goduine Koyalipou levelled the scoring 20 minutes later before Deiver Machado secured the much-needed win in the 77th minute.

Will Still's side now sit seventh in the league standings with 27 points from seven wins, six draws and four losses, trailing sixth-placed Lyon by just one point in the race for a European spot.

During their winless run, Lens suffered a heartbreaking shootout loss to PSG in the French Cup after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

They now face the same opponent this weekend in Ligue 1, and while penalties will not be a factor this time, they will be aiming to become the first team to hand the visitors their first defeat of the top-flight campaign.

However, history suggests it will be a tough task, as Lens have beaten PSG only twice in their last 22 meetings across all competitions - both victories coming in the league at Bollaert-Delelis, with a 1-0 win in September 2020 and a 3-1 triumph in January 2023.

PSG did not have the smoothest of rides in their most recent outing, edging past fifth-tier Espaly 4-2 in the French Cup after facing an early scare.

The lower-division side took a surprise third-minute lead through Kevis Gjeci before Warren Zaire-Emery equalised in the 37th minute.

Desire Doue then put the Parisians ahead in the 67th minute, but Maxence Fournel restored parity four minutes later, before late goals from Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos finally secured PSG's passage into the next round of the competition.

With that win, Luis Enrique's men have now triumphed in six of their last seven matches in regulation time, including three in the league.

Their most recent top-flight outing saw them claim a 2-1 victory against Saint-Etienne, extending their tally to 43 points from 13 wins and four draws, sitting seven points clear at the summit.

Having completed the first half of the Ligue 1 season unbeaten for just the fourth time, PSG will look to continue their streak with another win this weekend.

The Parisians boast the second-best away record in the division this season, winning five of their eight trips, and with Lens losing two of their last home games in the league, the visitors will be confident of maintaining their dominance in this fixture.

Lens Ligue 1 form:

L

W

W

D

L

W

Lens form (all competitions):

W

W

D

L

L

W

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form:

W

D

D

W

W

W

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

W

Team News

The hosts will be without Jhoanner Chavez (ankle), Neil El Aynaoui (thigh), Wesley Said (thigh) and Ruben Aguilar (shoulder), though all four are expected to return later this month.

Remy Labeau Lascary remains sidelined for Saturday having been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, while Kevin Danso misses out due to accumulated yellow cards.

For the visitors, Ibrahim Mbaye is unavailable with a sprained ankle, while captain Marquinhos is set for a few weeks on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Lucas Beraldo, who started in the last league outing, could be handed a second consecutive start in defence this Saturday.

Ousmane Dembele, PSG's joint-top scorer in the league with 10 goals, is expected to return to the starting XI this weekend, having sat out the last outing, while Barcola, who is also on 10 goals, could keep his place in attack after impressing against Espaly.

Lens possible starting lineup:

Koffi; Frankowski, Medina, Gradit, Machado; Thomasson, Diouf; Sotoca, Fulgini, Zaroury; Koyalipou

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Beraldo, Hakimi, Hernandez, Mendes; Ruiz, Mayulu, Lee; Dembele, Ramos; Barcola

We say: Lens 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain

PSG's unbeaten league run and strong away form make them favourites against the hosts, who have struggled in this fixture.

Written by

Adeyeye Oluwapelumi

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