On Sunday evening, the footballing spotlight will turn to the small industrial city of Lens in northern France, as the local team RC Lens hosts the star-studded Paris Saint-Germain squad. This highly anticipated match pits last season’s Ligue 1 runner-up against the current league leaders.
Lens Eyes Momentum Shift
After finishing just a single point behind PSG last season, Lens has struggled to find that championship form again. The team now sits in 7th place, a full 14 points behind PSG. But a win on their home turf could give Lens the momentum shift they need to start climbing the table once more.
Manager Franck Haise will have to get creative with his starting XI, as injuries have plagued the squad. Fullbacks Massadio Haidara, Deiver Machado, Przemyslaw Frankowski and Ruben Aguilar are all doubtful. Haise’s likely lineup includes Samba in goal, a back line of Medina, Danso and Gradit, Frankowski on the wing, and a forward pairing of Sotoca and Wahi.
PSG Seeks to Keep Top Spot
PSG, on the other hand, has been firing on all cylinders lately. Winners of 9 of their last 10 league matches, PSG sits comfortably on top of Ligue 1 with a 5-point lead. Superstar Kylian Mbappe has been spearheading a ruthless attack, while new midfielder Carlos Ugarte has added steel to the midfield.
Manager Christophe Galtier has a few absences of his own to deal with. Fullbacks Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes are both injured, while center back Milan Skriniar could miss the rest of the season after ankle surgery. Galtier’s lineup will likely feature Donnarumma in goal, Marquinhos and Pereira in central defense, Vitinha controlling the midfield and Mbappe leading the forward line.
PSG Won Last Two Meetings
In the last two meetings between these sides, PSG emerged victorious by a score of 3-1. But Lens has proven a tough out on their home pitch, grinding out a 1-1 draw last season. The rowdy crowd at Stade Bollaert-Delelis will be hungry to see their hometown underdogs take down the Qatari-backed club.
A victory for Lens would be a massive boost to their European qualification hopes, while PSG needs the points to stave off rising challengers Nice and Marseille. Expect end-to-end action and an electric atmosphere in northern France as these Ligue 1 title contenders square off.