Ligue 1 2022-23: PSG vs Lens: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The top two sides face off in the capital for a titanic tussle.

The champions host the contenders in Saturday evening's top-of-the-table Ligue 1 showdown, as PSG vs Lens takes place in the Parc des Princes. Goals from Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos on either side of the half-time whistle secured PSG a 2-0 triumph over Nice last Saturday, allowing them to maintain their unassailable six-point advantage over Lens with just eight games left to go, but Marseille and Monaco are mathematically not out of the title picture just yet.

Furthermore, the Parc des Princes atmosphere no longer strikes fear into the hearts of PSG's adversaries, with Galtier's side losing their last two at home to Lyon and Rennes without scoring a goal - the first time since the 2009-10 campaign that they have suffered back-to-back home defeats while failing to find the back of the net.

Success over Strasbourg marked Les Sang et Or's fourth win on the bounce following previous victories over Clermont, Angers, and Rennes - having previously only won one in seven during an underwhelming February period - thus keeping them two points clear of Marseille in the runners-up spot.

Lens spoiled PSG's New Year celebrations with a 3-1 triumph at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis earlier this season, and the reigning champions only have one win to their name from five contests with Les Sang et Or - failing to keep a single clean sheet in that time.

Kick-Off:

Sunday, 16-04-2023, 12:30 AM(IST)

Saturday, 15-04-2023, 7:00 PM(GMT)

Paris Saint-Germain Form (All Competitions): W-L-W-L-L-W

Lens Form (All Competitions): L-D-W-W-W-W

Players to Watch Out

PSG: Lionel Messi

There are plenty of threats to look out for in the Paris Saint-Germain squad. One of the players that can hurt Lens is Lionel Messi. Messi breaks lines from just about any position to create for his teammates, and will often look for players ahead of him who are moving to receive in behind.

He can slip through balls in behind the opposition for a striker running across the defence, can play an overlapping full-back in, or spot the late run of a central midfielder bursting through the middle of the pitch. He combines power and precision and can finish effectively while dribbling at speed, He scores all kinds of goals, so goalkeepers are unable to pre-empt where he will finish, though he will usually try and work the chance to shoot with his left foot.

Lens: Luis Openda

PSG has all the striking power in the world, it seems, but what could define this match can be seen in the status of Lois Openda. The young Belgian forward has been dominating the scoring charts for Lens and with 15 goals to his credit, he will look to add something special against the best team in Ligue 1.

Match Facts

PSG in actual season average scored 2.50 goals per match. In 17 matches played at home, total goals (team and opponent) were Over 1.5 goals. In 12 matches in season 2023 played at home total goals (team and opponent) were Over 2.5 goals.

Lens average scored 1.64 goals per match in season 2023. In 15 matches played away were total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 9 matches played away, the team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.

Injury and team news for PSG vs Lens

Already working without Neymar (ankle) and Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles) for the remainder of the season, PSG announced earlier this week that defender Nordi Mukiele would not play again this season, having been forced to go down the surgical route to correct a hamstring problem.

The perennially-injured Renato Sanches has also been ruled out for three to four weeks with an adductor issue sustained in the win over Nice - coming off after just 10 minutes - but the possible return of Marco Verratti from a muscular issue would soften the blow.

As for Lens, long-term knee victims Jimmy Cabot and Wuilker Farinez continue on the long road back to recovery, while Julien Le Cardinal (knee), Steven Fortes (knee), and Adam Buksa (ankle) are also out of the fixture

Head-to-Head Stats for PSG vs Lens

Matches: 12

PSG: 5

Lens: 2

Draws: 5

Predicted Lineups for PSG vs Lens

PSG Predicted Lineup(3-5-2):

Donnarumma; Pereira, Marquinhos, Ramos; Hakimi, Verratti, Soler, Vitinha, Mendes; Messi, Mbappe

Lens Predicted Lineup(4-2-3-1):

Samba; Medina, Danso, Gradit; Sotoca, Abdul Samed, Fofana, Frankowski; Thomasson, Fulgini; Openda

Match Prediction

A goal-happy Lens side travel to the capital knowing that the pressure lies firmly on PSG's shoulders, and as they have done all season, Les Sang et Or should play without a shred of trepidation, especially with the hosts losing their golden touch at home.

PSG seldom draw in the top flight, but while their ravaged squad will no doubt come under siege on Saturday night, Galtier's charges can strike back in an entertaining stalemate to maintain their healthy lead at the summit.

Prediction: PSG 2-2 Lens

Telecast

India: Voot, Viacom 18 network

UK: BT Sport

USA: beIN Sport

Nigeria: SuperSport