Lorient will be keen to get out of the relegation zone when they face PSG, who could be crowned champions if results elsewhere go their way.
Lorient are about to take on PSG in a fixture that was supposed to have been played on Matchday 29. But now, they are about to take on one another in this rescheduled game. The hosts are languishing in the 19th spot and in desperate need to find inspiration from somewhere to help aid their survival cause.
Things do look bleak for the home side as Lorient have lost each of their last three games without scoring, and that does not look good ahead of their clash with PSG. A win would boost their hopes of survival, and they could potentially get out of the relegation zone and go level on points with Metz. But there is barely any chance of toppling the league leaders and champions-elect.
PSG are coming at the back of a tremendous week for the club, after reaching the Champions League semi-finals, beating Barcelona in the process. Luis Enrique will demand absolute focus between now and the end of the campaign, and first, he will want the league wrapped up as soon as possible.
In many seasons, PSG have adopted the policy of closing the league campaign sooner and then focusing their efforts on the Champions League. In such a scenario, they have often let it loose domestically in the past. But this time around, Enrique has a tight grip on their form, and that showed in their clash with Lyon last weekend.
PSG soundly beat their Ligue 1 rivals with a 4-1 scoreline courtesy of a brace from Goncalo Ramos and one from Lucas Beraldo. The victory showed that the Parisians have kept focus, and now, they could potentially be crowned champions if results elsewhere go their way.
Team News & Tactics
Lorient
Lorient are not in the best of shape ahead of this crucial game against PSG, with the hosts facing multiple injury issues; Quentin Boisgard is out for the season with a foot injury and is joined by Laurent Abergel and Bamba Dieng on the sidelines. The duo has calf issues to contend with and will miss the PSG encounter.
Formose Mendy will start in the back three alongside Isaak Toure and Nathaniel Adjei in the back three. Panos Katseris and Theo Le Bris are primed for the wing-back roles, with midfield pair Tiemoue Bakayoko and Imran Souza sandwiched between the wide men.
The front line will have Mohamed Bamba leading the line, with the support of Julien Ponceau and Ayman Kari behind the main striker.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Mendy, Adjei, Toure; Katseris, Bakayoko, Louza, Le Bris; Ponceau, Kari; Bamba
PSG
Luis Enrique will have the luxury of calling some of his most lethal players back into the setup after resting Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele for the Lyon clash. PSG are only without Presnel Kimbempe and Sergio Rico ahead of this clash away to Lorient.
Hence, the manager has the luxury of naming a strong side, and he will do so to keep some of his top players sharp and eager to go. Enrique might use this game as a platform for Milan Skriniar to get back into match sharpness as he will partner Marquinhos in the heart of the defence.
While the Lucas Beraldo experiment at full-back worked against Lyon, Enrique might reinstate Lucas Hernandez in that position. Achraf Hakimi will retain his place at right-back. The manager might bring Manuel Ugarte back into the mix at the base of midfield, and he will have Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha on either side as Enrique changes his system a little.
Goncalo Ramos, after his brace, might keep his spot in the central striking role as Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele provide support of the flanks for this game against Lorient.
Probable lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernandez; Vitinha, Ugarte, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe
Key Stats
- PSG have not lost in Ligue 1 since mid-September.
- PSG have kept four clean sheets in their last six away games in Ligue 1.
- PSG have won their last two games with a 4-1 scoreline in all competitions.
- Lorient are 19th on the table and have not won in Ligue 1 since March 3.
- Lorient have failed to score in their last three games in Ligue 1.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe is not in his best form, but he got a brace against Barcelona, his last competitive game in this period. It showed that no matter how down a top player like him is, he can still make a difference in a moment, and in this case, the Frenchman was effective twice.
Now, Luis Enrique will want the French forward to come into full force ahead of this crucial part of the season, as some goals against Lorient will do his confidence a world of good. Hence, all eyes will be on Mbappe ahead of this trip to Lorient as he looks to get back on the scoresheet and perhaps looks forward to winning multiple honours with his club for the last time.
Prediction
Lorient 0-4 PSG
Lorient are not in the best of form of late and have not won a Ligue 1 game since the beginning of March. Hence, there is plenty of doubt whether they have what it takes to overcome Luis Enrique’s men at home on Wednesday.
PSG are beginning to get into a rampant vein of form as their two wins over Barcelona and Lyon showed. They secured last weekend’s victory without Ousmane Dembele or Kylian Mbappe. So, with the duo likely to return, PSG are set for another goal galore and beat Lorient with ease.
