PSG will be keen to strengthen their grip at the summit of Ligue 1 when they take on Lyon at the Parc des Princes on Sunday night.
Paris Saint-Germain host Lyon at Parc des Princes on Sunday night in a highly anticipated Ligue 1 clash. While PSG aim to maintain their unbeaten domestic record and consolidate their lead at the summit, Lyon arrive with momentum, boasting a nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Both sides are in strong form, with PSG dominating Ligue 1 but frustrated by recent draws, and Lyon thriving domestically and in Europe under Pierre Sage’s guidance. Luis Enrique’s side enjoyed a crucial 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in midweek Champions League action, with Goncalo Ramos, Nuno Mendes, and Desire Doue on the scoresheet.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Enrique criticised the team’s performance, reflecting the inconsistency PSG have shown on the continental stage. The Parisians sit one point outside the top 24 in the revamped Champions League league phase and face tough January clashes against Manchester City and VfB Stuttgart.
Domestically, however, PSG have been far more consistent. Unbeaten in their first 14 Ligue 1 matches, they sit five points clear of second-placed Marseille. Despite this, PSG’s recent league form has dipped slightly, with back-to-back draws against Nantes (1-1) and Auxerre (0-0) frustrating Enrique.
The team continues to adapt to life after Kylian Mbappe, with players like Bradley Barcola stepping up to lead the attack. Facing Lyon’s sturdy defence, PSG will need to rediscover their attacking edge to avoid another slip-up.
Lyon have quietly put together an impressive nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, including consecutive Ligue 1 thrashings of Nice (4-1) and Angers (3-0). Their midweek 3-2 Europa League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt showcased their attacking potential, with Rayan Cherki, Malick Fofana, and Ernest Nuamah all finding the net.
Domestically, Lyon have been just as effective on the road, with their last away defeat coming in August against Rennes. Their defensive solidity has been key, conceding just six goals in seven Ligue 1 outings this season. This will be crucial against a PSG side boasting the league’s most potent attack. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain will be boosted by the return of several key players as they prepare to host Lyon at the Parc des Princes. Presnel Kimpembe is back in first-team training after 18 months on the sidelines with a serious muscle injury, though he is unlikely to feature just yet. Meanwhile, Senny Mayulu remains unavailable due to a calf injury, which is expected to sideline him for most of December.
Ousmane Dembele, who served a one-match suspension in the Champions League earlier this week, will be eager to return to action and is expected to feature prominently in Ligue 1 this weekend.
Lucas Hernandez, who made his long-awaited return from injury with a seven-minute cameo against Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday, should also be involved, providing PSG with a significant boost in defence. Luis Enrique is likely to set up his team in a 4-3-3 formation, emphasising a high-pressing, possession-based approach with dynamic attacking transitions.
Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal, offering a commanding presence between the posts. In defence, Achraf Hakimi will occupy the right-back role, while Marquinhos and William Pacho form the central defensive pairing. Lucas Hernandez is expected to start at left-back, combining defensive stability with his ability to support attacks.
In midfield, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Ruben Neves will provide balance and creativity. Ruiz will likely take on a more advanced role, linking up with the attack, while Vitinha and Neves will focus on controlling the tempo and breaking up opposition play.
The front three will consist of Ousmane Dembele on the right wing, Bradley Barcola on the left, and Goncalo Ramos as the central striker. Dembele’s flair and creativity, coupled with Barcola’s pace and directness, will aim to stretch Lyon’s defence, while Ramos provides a clinical presence in front of the goal.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Hernandez; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Dembele, Ramos, Barcola
Olympique Lyonnais
Lyon head into their clash against PSG with no fresh injury concerns following their Europa League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday. Manager Pierre Sage is expected to stick with an unchanged starting XI, as his side aims to extend their unbeaten streak.
Despite Lyon’s attacking prowess at times this season, Said Benrahma and Georges Mikautadze are currently being used as impact substitutes, adding firepower from the bench. With a fully fit squad available, Sage has a wealth of options as Lyon prepare for this high-profile Ligue 1 fixture.
Pierre Sage is likely to field his team in a 4-3-3 formation, balancing defensive solidity with an attacking threat from wide areas and midfield creativity.
Remy Riou will start in goal, tasked with organizing Lyon’s defence. In the backline, Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set to occupy the right-back position, with Moussa Niakhate and Duje Caleta-Car forming a strong central defensive partnership. On the left, Nicolas Tagliafico will offer defensive stability and overlapping runs to support Lyon’s attack.
The midfield trio will feature Corentin Tolisso, Nemanja Matic, and Rayan Cherki. Tolisso and Matic will anchor the midfield, providing defensive cover and dictating play from deeper positions, while Cherki operates in a more advanced role, driving forward to create opportunities in the final third.
Up front, Malick Fofana is expected to start on the right wing, with Ernest Nuamah taking up the left-wing position. Through the middle, captain Alexandre Lacazette will lead the line, providing experience and a clinical edge in front of the goal.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Perri; Maitland-Niles, Niakhate, Caleta-Car, Tagliafico; Tolisso, Matic, Cherki; Fofana, Nuamah, Lacazette
Key Stats
- PSG have won their last two Ligue 1 matches against Lyon. They could match their longest winning streak against Lyon in the past 40 years, which stands at three games, achieved between December 2012 and December 2013, and again between November 2016 and September 2017.
- Since the start of the QSI era (summer 2011), only Rennes (7 wins in 26 games) have beaten PSG in Ligue 1 more times than Lyon, who have six wins in 26 meetings (D4 L16). Lyon are also the last team to beat PSG in Ligue 1 without conceding a goal, with a 1-0 victory on April 2, 2023.
- PSG have scored at least four goals in 10 different Ligue 1 matches against Lyon, a record only surpassed by their performances against Montpellier (11 games with 4+ goals). Lyon are also the second club against whom PSG have scored the most goals in Ligue 1 history (141, tied with Metz), behind only Saint-Etienne (146).
- Lyon are unbeaten in their last eight Ligue 1 matches played to close out a calendar year (W5 D3). This is the second-longest streak in Ligue 1, behind PSG’s 13-match streak before their upcoming fixture against Monaco on December 18.
- PSG are winless in their last two Ligue 1 matches (1-1 vs Toulouse, 0-0 vs Auxerre). If they fail to win against Lyon, it would mark the first time in the last three years that they go winless in three consecutive Ligue 1 games within a single season (previously done in February-March 2024).
Player to Watch
Rayan Cherki
Cherki continues to be one of the brightest young talents in French football and is a pivotal player for Lyon. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has developed into a creative fulcrum for Lyon, showcasing his exceptional vision, technical ability, and flair on the ball.
Cherki’s ability to operate in tight spaces and deliver precise passes makes him a constant threat in the final third. His quick feet and dribbling skills enable him to take on defenders, while his eye for a killer pass allows him to set up his teammates with goalscoring opportunities. In addition to his creative attributes, Cherki is not afraid to test the goalkeeper himself, making him a multi-dimensional attacking force.
Heading into this clash with PSG, Cherki’s confidence will be high after scoring and assisting in Lyon’s recent Europa League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Against a PSG side that has shown occasional defensive vulnerabilities, Cherki’s ability to exploit gaps and dictate play in attacking areas could be the key to Lyon’s chances of causing an upset. If Lyon are to extend their unbeaten streak and earn a result at Parc des Princes, expect Rayan Cherki to be at the heart of their best-attacking moves.
Prediction
PSG 1-1 Lyon
PSG’s star-studded attack, led by Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola, faces a stern test against Lyon’s compact and disciplined defence. Meanwhile, Lyon’s dynamic forwards like Rayan Cherki and Ernest Nuamah could exploit PSG’s recent defensive lapses, especially on the counterattack.
While the away side’s form and resilience make them a tricky opponent, the reigning champions’ firepower and home advantage should see them even this contest. Expect a competitive match with moments of brilliance from both sides.