Paris Saint-Germain travel to Lyon for their Ligue 1 game this Sunday, looking to extend their fine run of form with a win away from home.
The visitors come into this game on the back of five consecutive victories across all competitions and they will be full of confidence and momentum heading into this contest. Paris Saint-Germain are currently at the top of the Ligue 1 table with six wins and a draw from their seven outings so far, and they will be the favourites against Lyon.
The home side, on the other hand, are fifth in the league table and come into this contest on the back of two back-to-back defeats in their last two outings across all competitions. Lyon will be desperate to bounce back strongly and grind out a morale-boosting result against PSG. A win here would lift the spirits around the club and help them get their season back on track.
With the kind of form PSG are in right now, Lyon will have to improve significantly in order to grind out a positive result. The likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are in red hot form, and they will be looking to get on the scoresheet against an inconsistent Lyon side.
Lyon made an impressive start to their league campaign, winning four and drawing one of their first five league matches. However, they have underperformed in their last two outings, and it remains to be seen whether the players can step up and deliver a positive performance against the defending champions now.
Lyon were beaten by AS Monaco and Lorient in their last two outings, and PSG are a substantially better opposition. Furthermore, they conceded five goals in those two outings and will be up against one of the most formidable attacking units in European football this weekend.
Preparing for Saturday's match ✨#OLPSG pic.twitter.com/wdfJldlOs0
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 16, 2022
Team News & Tactics
Lyon
The home side will be without the services of Julian Pollersbeck this weekend due to an injury. Jerome Boateng is on his way back to full fitness and could feature here. Lyon will need his experience and quality against PSG.
Lyon are expected to set up in their usual 4-3-3 system with Anthony Lopes in goal. The likes of Malo Gusto, Thiago Mendes, Castello Lukeba and Nicolas Tagliafico should start in a back four. It will be interesting to see if Boateng is given a start ahead of Mendes, who has struggled recently.
Meanwhile, Maxence Caqueret, Johann Lepenant and Corentin Tolisso are expected to start in a midfield three. Technically-gifted midfielder Houssem Aouar has been a squad player for Lyon this season and is likely to start on the bench. That said, the home side could use his flair and technical ability against a dominant midfield like PSG’s.
Alexandre Lacazette is set to lead the attack for Lyon against PSG, with Tete and Karl Toko-Ekambi lining up on the flanks. Youngster Rayan Cherki has impressed in his recent cameos, and it remains to be seen whether he is given a start here.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Lopes; Gusto, Mendes, Lukeba, Tagliafico; Caqueret, Lepenant, Tolisso; Tete, Lacazette, Toko-Ekambi
Paris Saint-Germain
Christophe Galtier has three injury issues to deal with this weekend. PSG will be without the services of Keylor Navas, Presnel Kimpembe and Renato Sanches due to injuries against Lyon. Other than that, the visitors should be able to field a full-strength starting lineup on Sunday.
? | Christophe Galtier's press conference coming up ahead of #OLPSGhttps://t.co/SIwrU1BgwR
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 17, 2022
PSG are likely to start in a highly-attacking 4-3-3 formation, with Gianluigi Donnarumma starting in between the sticks. Achraf Hakimi, Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes will likely form the back four for the away side.
In the midfield, Fabian Ruiz, Carlos Soler and Marco Verratti are likely to start. The front three pretty much picks itself, with Kylian Mbappe leading the line for PSG against Lyon and Lionel Messi and Neymar operating as the wide forwards.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Ramos, Marquinhos, Mendes; Ruiz, Soler, Verratti; Messi, Mbappe, Neymar
Key Stats
- PSG have scored at least three goals in their last eight away matches (Ligue 1).
- PSG have been winning at both half time and full time in eight of their last nine matches (Ligue 1).
- Lyon have scored at least two goals in their last nine home matches (Ligue 1).
- PSG have won eight of their last nine matches (Ligue 1).
- PSG have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven away matches (Ligue 1).
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is undoubtedly our player to watch this weekend. The Argentine has been in irrepressible form in recent weeks and he has picked up four goals and eight assists across his last nine appearances.
Lyon have conceded five goals in their last two league outings, and Messi has the quality to tear them apart with his creativity and quality in the final third. It will be interesting to see if he continues his brilliant run of form against Lyon.
Prediction
Lyon 1-2 PSG
Despite the fact that the home side are coming into this game on the back of two successive defeats, PSG cannot afford to underestimate them. Lyon have an excellent record at home in recent months, and they had picked up eight straight victories in Ligue 1 in their own backyard.
The hosts will be desperate for a big performance here, and this is a golden opportunity for them to bounce back in front of their own fans. However, PSG are in excellent form right now and are the better team on paper. The away side are likely to edge a closely-contested affair here.