Paris Saint-Germain return to Ligue 1 action for the first time in close to a month when they travel to last season’s runners-up RC Lens.
Luis Enrique’s side have tasted Trophee des Champions success over Toulouse in 2024, while they comfortably disposed of sixth-tier Revel in last weekend’s Coupe de France clash, but it’s a pretty straightforward month for Kylian Mbappe and friends so far.
Lens finished second in Ligue 1 last season following a tremendous run under Franck Haise, and they’ve recovered from a poor start juggling Champions League football this time around to climb into the top seven.
PSG are five points clear of defensive stooges OGC Nice, and will fancy their chances of picking up more valuable points on the road.
Here’s 90min’s preview of the game.
Lens vs PSG H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
discovery+ App, discovery+, TNT Sports 4 |
|
United States |
Fanatiz USA, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, beIN SPORTS en Español |
|
Canada |
beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN Sports Canada, Fanatiz Canada, fuboTV Canada, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada |
Lens have been affected by the swathe of France-based players heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations, with Salis Abdul Samed, Morgan Guilavogui and Nampalys Mendy all absent for PSG’s visit. Abdukodir Khusanov is missing too – he’s on Asian Cup duty with Uzbekistan.
Jimmy Cabot and Wuilker Farinez aren’t yet ready to return from ACL injuries, and Franck Haise’s selection headache continues with Massimo Haidara and Deiver Machado also out.
Lens predicted lineup vs PSG (3-4-2-1): Samba; Medina, Danso, Gradit; Frankowski, Diouf, Fulgini, Maouassa; Sotoca, Thomasson; Wahi.
New signing Lucas Beraldo could slot straight into PSG’s backline thanks to the ankle injury suffered by Milan Skriniar against Toulouse. Achraf Hakimi is at AFCON, representing Morocco, and Lee Kang-in is playing for South Korea at the Asian Cup.
Nordi Mukiele may play at right-back, despite bringing on the brink of joining Bayern Munich, but Presnel Kimpembe, Fabian Ruiz and Nuno Mendes will miss the game.
PSG predicted lineup vs Lens (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Mukiele, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Ugarte, Vitinha; Barcola, Kolo Muani, Mbappe.
PSG are the overwhelming favourites to win when you consider the players that Lens are missing, so anything other than a win for Enrique’s side would be a major surprise.
Not having Hakimi does impact the way that PSG will attack, but it’s hard to overlook an attacking trident of Kylian Mbappe, Randal Kolo Muani and Bradley Barcola when determining whether or not PSG have the keys to unlock Lens’ weakened door.
Prediction: Lens 0-3 PSG
READ THE LATEST LIGUE 1 NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
90Mins
