Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

PSGvs.Lens

sportsmole.co.uk, 31 October 2024, 07:20
Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain welcome Lens to the French capital on Saturday evening as they seek to maintain their three-point buffer at the summit.

Luis Enrique's side have taken advantage of Monaco's recent slip to move clear at the top and will now face the other side that saw their unbeaten start ended last weekend.

Match preview

Despite question marks still remaining about PSG's start in Europe, with just four points from their opening three games, they are showing all the signs of being the dominant force domestically again.

PSG are the only side still unbeaten after both Monaco and Lens lost last weekend, and Enrique oversaw a very impressive win over bitter rivals Marseille in Le Classique.

For the first time in the fixture's history, PSG led 3-0 at the break away to l'OM, as a first-half red card to Amine Harit allowed the Parisians to cruise to a commanding victory.

That means they are now unbeaten in 12 trips to the Velodrome in Ligue 1, and they have not conceded at that venue since a 5-1 win in 2017.

Sitting top, PSG now look unlikely to relinquish that position after a few early blips saw them drop four points at the start of the campaign.

With seven wins and two draws on the board though, remaining undefeated against Lens here will see them start unbeaten after 10 league games for the 8th time since the Qatari takeover in 2011 - for context, only two other clubs in Ligue 1 have managed to do it at least once in that timeframe, Nice and Monaco.

Form at the Parc des Princes has been imperious so far for PSG, despite looking unconvincing against Girona and PSV Eindhoven in Europe, they have netted 16 goals in their four home Ligue 1 games this season, even if they have only kept one clean sheet in 15 league games here.

Lens could not handle PSG last season, losing both encounters to the eventual champions, and they could suffer a fourth straight defeat against the club from the capital here for just the fourth time in their history.

The visitors won five games in succession against PSG heading into the 2007-08 season, but they are winless in the subsequent eight meetings, losing five.

Heading to the capital is already a daunting task, but Lens will now go there bruised following a cruel late defeat in the Derby du Nord against Lille last weekend.

The draw specialists looked set for a sixth in seven games, but a controversial penalty saw Jonathan David give LOSC the lead in the 98th minute, before a second was added just minutes later, with manager Will Still bemoaning the decision afterwards.

Pragmatism from the new Lens boss has paid off to an extent, as the Blood and Gold are in the European hunt, despite drawing the majority of their games so far, as they sit fifth just three points off the top four.

That is made even more remarkable when you consider that no club outside the relegation zone has a worse attacking record than them, with Still's men having netted only nine times in nine games so far.

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form:

W

D

W

D

W

W

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

D

W

Lens Ligue 1 form:

D

D

D

D

W

L

Team News

PSG will be without defender Lucas Beraldo due to suspension, as well as Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez and Goncalo Ramos, who are all recovering from long-term injuries.

Bradley Barcola has been the player of the season so far in Ligue 1, and his tally of eight is just one short of Lens' entire total so far this season.

With a clash against Atletico Madrid coming up in midweek though, Enrique may be tempted to rest Barcola, and some other key players ahead of that important encounter.

Like PSG, Lens will also be without a South American defender due to an accumulation of yellow cards, because Facundo Medina will sit this one out for the visitors.

Medina started as a wing-back last week, but Jhoanner Chaves is likely to come in, and there was believed to be no injury involved in Przemyslaw Frankowski's half-time sub against Lille.

Wesley Said, Jimmy Cabot, Martin Satriano and Ruben Aguilar are all set to remain on the sidelines for Lens though, as Still may name a similar side to the one that was edged out in the Derby du Nord.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Skriniar, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Mayulu, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha; Marco Asensio, Kolo Muani, D Doue

Lens possible starting lineup:

Samba; Gradit, Danso, Khusanov; Frankowski, Thomasson, Diouf, Chavez; Sotoca, Nzola, Zaroury

We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Lens

PSG's incapability of keeping a clean sheet at home will give Lens belief that they have a chance, but the scoring record of the league leaders speaks for itself so far, having netted three or more in all of their home games.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Antalyaspor vs. Alanyaspor (Friday, 1.00pm) This weekend's Turkish Super Lig action will get underway at Corendon Airlines Park, where Antalyaspor will be playing host to Alanyaspor on Friday afternoon. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lucas Vazquez's Real Madrid future is reportedly in 'serious doubt' due to Trent Alexander-Arnold's highly-anticipated arrival. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Cole Palmer is reportedly yet to take part in Chelsea training after he sustained an injury before the international break. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly held initial discussions over a potential move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides enduring rough patches resume Primeira Liga action this weekend as Casa Pia welcome Rio Ave to Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior for a round 27 encounter. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk League leaders Sporting Lisbon will look to pick up where they left off before the international break when they travel to Estrela Amadora this weekend for round 27 of the Primeira Liga. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich quest for the Bundesliga title continues on Saturday when they welcome St Pauli to Allianz Arena in their 27th league game of the season. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to carry their momentum from before the international break, Braga resume their Primeira Liga campaign this weekend as they welcome Arouca for a matchday 27 clash. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Blackburn Rovers will travel to the South Coast for Saturday's Championship encounter against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eintracht Frankfurt will hope they can cling onto their place in the Bundesliga's final Champions League qualification spot when they host Stuttgart at Deutsche Bank Park on Saturday. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has promised to retire from international football if Argentina win the 2026 World Cup. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In a crucial battle that will impact the race for European football in the Bundesliga, Borussia Monchengladbach will welcome RB Leipzig to Borussia Park on Saturday. 27 March 2025 talksport.com Ashley Cole was Cristiano Ronaldo's most difficult opponent - the pair treated fans to epic battles. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk With the battle for survival in the Bundesliga entering its final weeks, relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel will hope to collect three points against visitors Werder Bremen on Saturday at Holstein-Stadion. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford captain Christian Norgaard has reportedly agreed to sign a new contract with the Bees. 27 March 2025 talksport.com Gary Neville says there are two England players who will always play regardless of their form. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be aiming to make it six straight wins in all competitions when they host Girona on Sunday afternoon. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona moved three points clear at the top of the La Liga table courtesy of a 3-0 success over Osasuna on Thursday evening, with Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski on the scoresheet for the Catalan giants. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to tighten their grip on the third-tier title, Birmingham City will welcome League Two-bound Shrewsbury Town to St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Saturday afternoon in League One. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the Scottish Premiership table will clash on Saturday evening, as relegation-threatened Dundee host Rangers at the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park. 27 March 2025 talksport.com Real Madrid could be without FOUR key stars for their Champions League tie with Arsenal - including Kylian Mbappe. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fighting for a place in the top half before the Scottish Premiership splits, St Mirren will take on Kilmarnock at the Smisa Stadium on Saturday. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Championship leaders Leeds United will resume their promotion bid with a home game against Swansea City on Saturday. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Watford will resume their Championship playoff bid when they lock horns with Plymouth Argyle in Saturday's clash at Vicarage Road. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed his starting XI for Thursday's La Liga clash with Osasuna, with a decision on Robert Lewandowski's involvement being made. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic are set to welcome top-six contenders Hearts at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Middlesbrough will resume their Championship playoff bid when they welcome Oxford United to the Riverside Stadium for Saturday's contest. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk This weekend's Major League Soccer schedule kicks off with a clash of the Eastern Conference heavyweights at Chase Stadium, where Inter Miami will play host to Philadelphia Union. 27 March 2025 talksport.com Jamie Carragher's reaction to Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool exit didn't sit well with talkSPORT's Darren Bent. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will reportedly face competition from Liverpool to sign in-demand Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso during the summer transfer window.