LOSC Lille will harbour their hopes on their stellar home form in 2023 when they host leaders PSG at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday.
Paulo Fonseca has a big game ahead with a mammoth clash with league leaders Paris Saint-Germain. LOSC Lille are in a precarious position in Ligue 1 after failing to beat a seventh team this season that are below them in the standings, and another bad result against PSG could see them out of the running for the title.
A goalless draw against Clermont Foot saw the gap with PSG increase to nine points, and another set of dropped points would make life harder for Fonseca and his charges. However, the manager will rely on their stellar home form in 2023, where they have managed 43 points, more than any other teams in the division.
Moreover, Lille are on a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions, something Fonseca will hope to continue. However, their recent results against PSG have been far from certain, and they certainly face a big task to keep themselves relevant in the Ligue 1 title race ahead of Sunday night.
Luis Enrique, on the other hand, will have plans to increase their lead or at least retain the four-point advantage at the summit, considering their game against Lille is the last one of this matchday. The Parisians will travel in a positive mood after making it through to the Champions League knockout rounds, albeit barely so.
PSG earned a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund earlier this week. But their slightly superior head-to-head record against AC Milan in their group ensured they finished in second, above their Italian counterparts. Now, Enrique will switch his attention to matters in the league, where they are unbeaten in their last ten contests, including eight consecutive victories.
Moreover, PSG are the division’s best away team in 2023, raking in 39 points in the calendar year. Enrique will want his side to continue their dominant form against their opponents of late, where the Parisians have won their last four and scored 18 goals in the process.
Team News & Tactics
LOSC Lille
Lille are without Tiago Djalo at least until the start of the year as he recovers from his ACL injury. The exact timeline goes for Ivan Cavaleiro, who is sidelined with a thigh problem. Beyond that, there are doubts over Jonathan David, who will likely go through an assessment before Paulo Fonseca decides on his inclusion.
If David does not start, then Yusuf Yazici will lead the line for Lille. With a stellar defensive record this season, keeper of nine clean sheets, Lucas Chevalier will keep his place between the posts. At the same time, Lille’s formidable backline will consist of youngster the in-demand Leny Yoro and Alexsandro Ribeiro in central defence.
Bafode Diakite and Ismaily will take their full-back positions, aiming to continue their good track record at the back. Fonseca will want more from his full-backs in an attacking sense, but the PSG forwards could ensure they stay pinned back.
Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre will stay put in the central midfield roles, while Angel Gomes will feature in the No.10 role for the home side. With Yazici likely to lead the line, he will have the support of Edon Zhegrova and Remy Cabella from the wide areas.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Diakite, Yoro, Alexsandro, Ismaily; Bentaleb, Andre; Zhegrova, Gomes, Cabella; Yazici
Paris Saint-Germain
Luis Enrique still has a goalkeeper problem, as Gianluigi Donnarumma will continue to serve his suspension. With Sergio Rico and Keylor Navas still out of the equation, Arnau Tenas will continue to feature between the sticks for the time being.
Furthermore, Nuno Mendes, Presnel Kimpembe and Fabian Ruiz are all out of contention for the weekend’s action. With the winter break approaching, Enrique will hope to have an entire squad after it, as there are more significant challenges, particularly in the Champions League.
Enrique might keep making changes to his setup and revert to an attacking 4-3-3, as opposed to a more pragmatic approach in midweek. Vitinha, who has been superb since returning to the side, will play in midfield alongside Manuel Ugarte and midweek goalscorer Warren Zaire-Emery.
Up front, Kylian Mbappe will continue in his central role as opposed to playing down the left. Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola will provide support from the wide attacking areas, as Enrique will have some good options in Lee Kang-in and Randal Kolo Muani on the bench if needed.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Tenas; Hakimi, Pereira, Skriniar, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Ugarte, Vitinha; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola
Key Stats
- Lille have the best home record, with 43 points in Ligue 1 during 2023.
- Lille have kept five clean sheets in all competitions in their last 5 games.
- Paris Saint-Germain have won their last eight matches in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain have won each of their last four games against Lille in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain have scored 18 goals in their last four games against Lille in Ligue 1.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappé vs Dortmund:
• 90’ Minutes played
• 4 Chances created
• 7 Passes into final third
• 6 Successful dribbles
• 25/32 Accurate passesThe greatest playmaker in the world was on full display in Germany 🪄 pic.twitter.com/c1SNUrFv6G
— 𝐌𝐂. (@MbappeCentral) December 16, 2023
The French striker has had a stunning start to the season, with 18 goals already under his belt. The recent concerns have grown out of the fact that Mbappe has not scored in his last two games in all competitions. But that will not worry Luis Enrique.
Mbappe also continues to adapt to a new role spearheading the attack, something he is still getting grips with. Hence, it might take some time before the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner starts hitting a rich vein of goalscoring form. But the manager will hope it starts against Lille on Sunday night.
Prediction
LOSC Lille 1-2 PSG
The hosts have a formidable defensive record as well as a strong team on home soil. They are about to meet Ligue 1’s most prolific side and the best away team in the division. Hence, this clash promises fireworks and the possibility of the result going in any direction.
Yet, one has to predict based on form, as Luis Enrique will target Mauricio Pochettino’s run of ten consecutive victories in Ligue 1 and look to improve it. Lille might see their fate sealed in this contest, with Kylian Mbappe leading the line, as the hosts are behind in terms of quality. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for PSG over Lille.
