Preview: Lyon vs. Paris Saint-Germain - prediction, team news, lineups

Les Gones went down 2-1 to Monaco last weekend, while the French champions survived a scare to beat Maccabi Haifa 3-1 in the Champions League.

Match preview

Defending set-pieces was clearly not on the agenda for Peter Bosz's Lyon side at the Stade Louis II, as Caio Henrique's corner met the head of Benoit Badiashile to give Monaco the lead before Guillermo Maripan connected with a free kick from the left-back not long after.

Lyon did respond in the dying embers through Karl Toko Ekambi's smartly-taken volley, but it was too little too late for Les Gones, who have now suffered two consecutive defeats in Ligue 1 following a midweek loss to Lorient on September 7.

A strong start to the season for Lyon has paled into insignificance somewhat following their back-to-back losses, and Les Gones now find themselves fifth in the standings - six points behind upcoming opponents PSG and four adrift of Lens in third.

Toko Ekambi's consolation in the defeat to Monaco does at least mean that Lyon have now scored in 16 straight Ligue 1 games - highlighting the area where their problems certainly do not lie - but it is just one clean sheet in their last 10 domestic encounters for Bosz's side.

It has been over four-and-a-half years since Lyon last suffered three straight losses in Ligue 1, but PSG are fully intent on inflicting more misery upon their fellow powerhouses, even if they will have to break the hosts' eight-game domestic winning run on home turf to do so.

Another day, another record broken for Lionel Messi. The 35-year-old has been lauded for his vision and assists so far this term, but goalscoring feats were on the midweek menu as PSG came from behind to beat Maccabi Haifa in Champions League Group H.

After Tjaronn Chery had stuck out a foot to give the Israeli champions a 1-0 lead, Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe responded for Les Parisiens, as the former scored in the Champions League against a record 39th opponent - surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo's 38 - for a record 18th season running.

Christophe Galtier's side were indebted to their famed attacking triumvirate for getting them over the line in Israel and also scored just the one goal in a 1-0 success over Brest last weekend, which ensured they would remain clear of second-placed Marseille on goal difference at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Victory over Maccabi Haifa marked a fifth win on the bounce for the capital outfit in all competitions, as well as representing a sixth-straight triumph away from home in all competitions. Not only that, but PSG have remarkably scored at least three goals in each of their last nine games on the road.

Galtier would also have been pleased to see his side record three successive clean sheets in Ligue 1 last weekend, and PSG have lost just one of their last eight meetings with Lyon in all tournaments, with last season's clash at the Groupama Stadium ending 1-1.

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form:

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

Team News

Lyon centre-back Jerome Boateng was thought to have had a strong chance of returning from a muscle injury in time for the trip to Monaco, but the German did not make the cut and has since suffered a setback in his recovery.

Boateng will not be present on Sunday, and neither will goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck (knee), but Bosz is otherwise well-stocked for the contest with the champions and will no doubt ponder alterations following last weekend's loss.

Thiago Mendes's spot alongside Castello Lukeba in defence is seemingly safe for now while Boateng recovers, while 19-year-old Rayan Cherki is pushing for his first start of the season after coming up with his third assist in six matches for Toko Ekambi's goal at Monaco.

Meanwhile, PSG lost centre-back Presnel Kimpembe to a hamstring injury against Brest, and the France international is expected to spend the next six weeks on the sidelines - Danilo Pereira is currently deputising in the back three.

Keylor Navas missed the trip to Maccabi Haifa with back problems but is now firmly number two behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Renato Sanches's injury woes are just not letting up as he remains sidelined with an adductor problem.

Despite the presence of Carlos Soler and Fabian Ruiz, Galtier has been loath to break up the midfield partnership of Marco Verratti and Vitinha, both of whom should start on Sunday.

The only changes for PSG could come in the full-back areas, as the well-rested Achraf Hakimi and Juan Bernat seek to displace Nordi Mukiele and Nuno Mendes. Off the field, the reigning champions will be without their away supporters, who have been banned from making the journey due to the use of pyrotechnics in their win at Nantes on September 3.

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Lopes; Gusto, Mendes, Lukeba, Tagliafico; Caqueret, Lepenant, Tolisso; Tete, Lacazette, Toko Ekambi

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Pereira, Marquinhos, Ramos; Hakimi, Verratti, Vitinha, Bernat; Messi; Mbappe, Neymar

We say: Lyon 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain

No matter how suspect Lyon are on the defensive front, Bosz's side always carry a threat going forwards, and another slow start for PSG could see them pay the price as it did against Maccabi Haifa.

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