PSG will aim to keep their healthy lead at the top intact as they take on an RC Lens side eager to avoid consecutive defeats.
Franck Haise will want the RC Lens players to keep sight of their season’s objectives and put out a show that raises the confidence levels against PSG. The hosts will face the Ligue 1 champions to kick-start the calendar year for the second time in a row, as their manager will hope for a similar 3-1 result last time out.
RC Lens may have come extremely close to winning the league last season. But this time out, they are too far away from challenging for the big prize. Haise will want their focus reshifted towards achieving Champions League football, as they are still five points behind fourth-placed Brest.
While Haise will want to avoid consecutive Ligue 1 defeats and a third in all competitions, RC Lens have a good run going home, winning their last four league games. They did suffer a defeat against AS Monaco on penalties in their most recent game here in the Coupe De France; four players fluffed their lines from 12 yards out in a game where Lens had to crawl their way up from two goals down.
The next opponents for RC Lens, Paris Saint-Germain, have different objectives coming into this clash, as Luis Enrique would want to maintain their healthy five-point advantage at the top. That would be PSG’s bare minimum requirement. But they know the difficulties of coming to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Enrique has his players exactly where he wants in terms of form, which showed in their 9-0 demolition of sixth-tier US Revel during the Coupe de France third-round clash. That clash marked their 10th consecutive win in all competitions, and on the road, they are unbeaten in 15 Ligue 1 games.
As things stand, the Ligue 1 title seems like another obligatory prize for PSG, and Enrique will want to focus all his efforts on the Champions League later. Hence, the next few games will lead to their clash with Real Sociedad in mid-February, meaning the PSG boss will want a near-perfect performance against a tricky opponent like RC Lens.
Team News & Tactics
RC Lens
RC Lens have been hit hard by the AFCON, as three players, Salis Abdul Samed, Morgan Guilavogui and Nampalys Mendy, have left for the continental tournament ahead of the game against PSG. Franck Haise will also be without teenage defender Abdukodir Khusanov, who will compete with Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian Cup.
Haise is already without long-term absentees Jimmy Cabot and Wuilker Farinez, who are recovering from their ACL injuries. RC Lens are also without key full-backs Massadio Haidara and Deiver Machado for this clash, meaning the home side has a weak defensive setup going against one of the most potent attacks in Europe.
Meanwhile, some players have other problems. Przemyslaw Frankowski is reportedly sick but is expected to make the cut. On the other hand, Ruben Aguilar has a minor thigh problem, and Jonathan Gradit has a calf issue. But both players could make the team, although the medical staff will keep close tabs on their injuries.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Samba; Medina, Danso, Gradit; Frankowski, Diouf, Fulgini, Maouassa; Sotoca, Thomasson; Wahi
Paris Saint-Germain
Much like most teams on the continent, PSG are also missing personnel due to the ongoing AFCON and Asian Cup. Achraf Hakimi has joined his Morocco teammates, while Lee Kang-in is part of the South Korean delegation.
The 9-0 win over US Revel did come at a high cost, as key defender Milan Skriniar suffered a potentially season-ending ankle injury. Luis Enrique will hope to see the centre-back in action again in this campaign, but the reports do not look favourable.
Many first-team stars are still on the sidelines, as Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz, Arnau Tenas, and Sergio Rico, will all miss this clash with RC Lens. Reports state that Nordi Mukiele has agreed to move to Bayern Munich, so he may remain absent from the matchday squad.
Enrique might retain a different shape adopted recently, where Randal Kolo Muani and Warren Zaire-Emery might take the wing-back role. The new system focused on having more attacking players on the pitch, and the PSG manager will hope it proves successful against RC Lens.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Donnarumma; Marquinhos, Pereira, Beraldo; Zaire-Emery, Ugarte, Vitinha, Kolo Muani; Dembele, Mbappe, Asensio
Key Stats
- RC Lens have won their last four games at home in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain have won nine of their last ten matches in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain have scored at least two goals in nine of their last ten matches in Ligue 1.
- PSG are undefeated in 17 of their last 19 matches against Lens in all competitions.
- Paris Saint-Germain are undefeated in their last 15 away Ligue 1 games.
Player To Watch
Marco Asensio
Asensio started the season strongly before being forced into an injury-led absence. He has since returned strongly but has not scored in the league. The Spaniard did so against sixth-tier side US Revel, with a goal and two assists, and Luis Enrique will want his compatriot firing on all cylinders.
Enrique must have his attacking setup fit and firing ahead of a crucial period in PSG’s season, particularly with their upcoming Champions League clash with Real Sociedad. In his system, Asensio provides a different option he would want to see him develop further.
Prediction
RC Lens 2-3 PSG
Recently, RC Lens have proved a tough competitor for PSG, and Franck Haise will hope that remains the case. Despite missing a host of players, particularly from the defensive side, the home side still has the personnel to hurt or halt the Parisians.
PSG are in a rich vein of form domestically, and Enrique will look to further capitalise on it with the expectation of another starring performance. There is the odd chance of dropping points at this venue and had RC Lens had all their players fit, they might have even edged PSG. But now, Luis Enrique’s men might nick the three points narrowly.