PSG will welcome arch-rivals Lille to the Parc des Princes on Saturday night in Ligue 1.
Defending champions PSG will welcome arch-rivals LOSC Lille to the Parc des Princes in what should be a high-voltage Ligue 1 clash late on Saturday night.
Luis Enrique and Co have a healthy eight [point gap at the top of the top-flight standings ahead of second-placed Stade Rennais. Lille are currently in the fourth spot, 12 points off top spot but have of late proven to be dogged challengers.
Les Dogues have lost just twice in their last 22 games and even held Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture. They have also gotten the better of the champions in recent years, even being the last side not named PSG to secure the French title.
Lille have not conceded a goal in their last three Ligue 1 games, adding spice to a tie that usually sees both sides find the back of the net. Paulo Fonseca’s side might not have big names such as PSG but have the setup and the ability as a unit to cause significant damage on their day.
It promises to be an intriguing contest between two strong teams who are very familiar with each other. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
The defending champions will be without several senior stars like Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes, Layvin Kurzawa, Milan Skriniar and Sergio Rico, all of whom are out injured. Alexandre Letellier is also a doubt for the game after catching a viral infection.
Lee Kang-in is on his way back but is unlikely to feature in this game. Enrique should retain his 4-3-3 formation with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
The Italian should start behind the back four of Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Danilo Pereira and Lucas Hernandez. Despite the several absentees in the defensive roster, PSG have enough strength in depth to adapt to the situation.
The trio of Warren Zaïre-Emery, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha will form the backbone in the middle of the park, freeing up Ousmane Dembele, Randal KJolo Muani and Kylian Mbappe upfront. The latter two should switch positions where possible, adding dynamism to the PSG frotline.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pereira, Hernandez; Ruiz, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe
LOSC Lille
Paulo Fonseca’s side is not challenging for the title this year but remains one of Ligue 1’s most formidable teams. Les Dogues are expected to retain their 4-2-3-1 formation, giving them the numbers needed to seize control of the midfield.
France U-21 international Lucas Chevalier has thrived in between the goalposts this season and should continue as the last line of defence for the visitors. Youth sensation Leny Yoro should partner Alexsandro at the heart of the defence.
The duo will aim to free up Tiago Santos and Ismaily the freedom to push forward from the wing-back spots and stretch the PSG rearguard. Benjamin André should partner veteran Nabil Bentaleb in the midfield double pivot, aiming to give the trio of Edon Zhegrova, Yusuf Yazici and Rémy Cabella freedom to push forward.
Jonathan David is an automatic choice upfront and should lead the line for the visitors. Fonseca has the likes of Tiago Morais, Adam Ounas, and Gabriel Gudmundsson among others to call from the bench.
Those absent include Bafode Diakate, Samuel Umtiti, and Ivan Cavaleiro while Andrej Ilic is a doubt for the game. Ayyouab Bouaddi is back available after having served his suspension.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Santos, Yoro, Alexsandro, Ismaily; Bentaleb, Andre; Zhegrova, Yazici, Cabella; David
Key Stats
- No other fixture has produced more goals in Ligue 1 than PSG vs Lille over the last three seasons.
- Both teams have scored in each of their last five games against each other. This is the longest such run (6) between the duo since 1978-1981.
- PSG have kept eight clean sheets in their 20 Ligue 1 games this season, more than at this stage in any other season under QSI.
- A clean sheet on the night will see Lille keep four clean sheets in a row in Ligue 1 for the first time since 2022.
- PSG are unbeaten in their last seven Ligue 1 home games at the Parc des Princes.
- PSG currently boast the longest unbeaten run in Ligue 1 with 15 consecutive matches without defeat (12 wins, 3 draws).
Player to Watch
Jonathan David
The Canadian striker could be on the move in the summer and a starring performance against PSG will do wonders for his stock. David has found the net against PSG in his last two matches against them and will be aiming to make it three in a row on Saturday night.
David scored twice last weekend and is in solid form going into the game. Given PSG’s absentees in defence, David could very well prove to be a thorn in the defending champions’ side on the night.
Prediction
PSG 2-2 LOSC Lille
Both teams never fail to set up competitive games and this Saturday will be no different. There should be plenty of goals on offer and it should not surprise anyone if both teams settle for a share of the spoils.
