PSG, fresh from taking a big step in Europe, are ready to rekindle their quest to win the Ligue 1 title swiftly as they take on Lyon.
PSG will enter the weekend’s clash with Lyon with fresh enthusiasm following their stellar victory away in Barcelona. Luis Enrique’s men put the 10-man Blaugrana to the sword, with Ronaldo Araujo’s red card helping the Parisians turn the tie in their favour.
Heading to Catalonia with a one-goal deficit, PSG found themselves further behind following Raphinha’s strike in the first half. However, Araujo’s dismissal sparked a revival of powers for PSG, who, through Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha and a Kylian Mbappe brace, took their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Enrique will not focus on matters in Ligue 1, as he would want the title wrapped up sooner rather than later. PSG faltered against basement club Clermont Foot in their last league game, needing a late Goncalo Ramos equaliser to salvage a point. However, with Brest losing elsewhere, the Parisians still extended their lead to ten points at the top and have a game in hand over the former on the table.
Their opponents, Lyon, are coming into this clash with the league leaders at the back of a stellar victory over second-placed Brest. Pierre Sage had to dig deep in the contest, having found themselves 3-1 down heading into the final 20 minutes.
Goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Tagliafico and Ainsley Maitland-Niles turned the clash around in Lyon’s favour. Sage’s side not only kept their European dreams alive, but they also extended their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to five points.
Lyon’s primary target before the season ends would be to catch up on fifth-placed OGC Nice, meaning they have to get a significant result against PSG. Should they lose, they might have to bid goodbye to a Europa League dream, while they are still in, with a substantial chance of qualifying for the Conference League next season.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
Presnel Kimpembe remains an absentee for PSG, with the defender set to miss more time, at least until the end of the month, with an Achilles injury. The Parisians also continue to miss left-back Layvin Kurzawa, who has played only once in Ligue 1 this season with a back issue.
Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte remains suspended for this encounter. Enrique will likely make some tweaks to the team that took on Barcelona, and the first change could be in the central defensive unit. Danilo Pereira could come in for Marquinhos, while Lucas Beraldo might join him after missing the last two domestic games with a suspension.
Fabian Ruiz might continue in the midfield alongside Vitinha, while Warren Zaire-Emery might come in on the right side. Bradley Barcola could make way for Goncalo Ramos’s inclusion in the starting eleven, which could see Mbappe take his usual place on the left-hand. The top performer in the two legs against Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele, will continue to play on the right side of the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Navas; Mukiele, Pereira, Beraldo, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe
Lyon
Nicolas Tagliafico’s late red card against Brest is not good news for Lyon, as they will have to replace the left-back for the PSG clash. There are also doubts about Alexandre Lacazette’s participation following a concussion last week. Should he pass the required tests, the former Arsenal man might begin the game for Les Gones.
Meanwhile, there are a few changes expected to the starting eleven following their victory over Brest. Rayan Cherki, who came off the bench to provide an assist, certainly will want a promotion back to the leading group. But Pierre Sage might resist the temptation as of now.
At the back, Duje Calete-Car is available again for visitors after serving a suspension. In midfield, Orel Mangala is an option. Still, Sage might prefer the trio of Nemanja Matic in the centre with Corentin Tolisso and Maxence Caqueret on either side of the Serb.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Lopes; Maitland-Niles, O’Brien, Caleta-Car, Henrique; Caqueret, Matic, Toliss; Nuamah, Lacazette, Benrahma
Key Stats
- Paris Saint-Germain are undefeated in their last 23 matches in Ligue 1.
- PSG have dropped points in six of their 14 league games at home this season.
- PSG are ten points ahead of second-placed Brest, with a game in hand.
- Lyon have won 8 of their last ten Ligue 1 games.
- Lyon are unbeaten in their last five Ligue games.
Player to Watch
Ousmane Dembele
After a difficult start to the season following his high-profile move from Barcelona, Dembele seems to have come good for PSG in recent times. After placing his foot on the ground in Ligue 1, the winger made a significant mark on the two legs against former club, Barcelona.
His goal in midweek kick-started a revival of sorts for Les Parisiens, who eventually trumped over Barcelona. Dembele has been sensational in those games, and Luis Enrique will hope for more before the campaign ends, as he wants the winger to help put Lyon to the sword and take a great step towards the domestic title.
Prediction
PSG 1-1 Lyon
The Parisians will be buzzing with confidence following their victory over Barcelona. But that should not deter them away from the task at hand in Ligue 1. At this stage, PSG could have been at its best fluid, as their result against Clermont Foot gave plenty of evidence that they could have a slump.
Lyon, coming at the back of a five-game unbeaten run, will look to exploit their chances in Paris, with the club eager to make their quest for Europe successful. Hence, they will put up a fight in Paris and earn a point for their hard work.