Ligue 1 | Gameweek 10

Nov 2, 2024 at 4pm UK

Parc des Princes

PSG vs Lens

Match preview

Although there are still question marks over PSG's start in Europe, with just four points from their opening three games, they are showing every sign of becoming a dominant force once again in domestic competition.

PSG are the only side still unbeaten after both Monaco and Lens lost last weekend, and Enrique oversaw an impressive win over bitter rivals Marseille in Le Classique.

For the first time in the competition's history, PSG were 3-0 up at the break at L'OM, as a first-half red card for Amine Harit allowed the Parisians to run out comfortable winners.

It means they are now unbeaten in 12 trips to the Velodrome in Ligue 1, and they haven't conceded at the venue since a 5-1 win in 2017.

At the top of the table, PSG look unlikely to relinquish that position after a few early slip-ups saw them drop four points at the start of the campaign.

However, with seven wins and two draws to their name, a win over Lens here would see them start the league campaign unbeaten after 10 games for the eighth time since the Qatari takeover in 2011 - for comparison, only two other Ligue 1 clubs have done it at least once in that period, Nice and Monaco.

PSG's form at the Parc des Princes has been impeccable so far, and although they have looked unconvincing in Europe against Girona and PSV Eindhoven, they have scored 16 goals in their four Ligue 1 home games this season, although they have only kept one clean sheet in 15 league games here.

Lens were unable to cope with PSG last season, losing both meetings with the eventual champions, and they could be looking at a fourth successive defeat at the hands of the capital club.

The visitors won five straight games against PSG in the 2007-08 season, but have gone winless in the eight meetings since, losing five of them.

The trip to the capital is a daunting task in itself, but Lens will arrive bruised and battered after their late defeat to Lille in the Derby du Nord last weekend.

The draw specialists looked set for a sixth defeat in seven games, but a controversial penalty from Jonathan David gave LOSC the lead in the 98th minute, before a second was added minutes later, with coach Will Still lamenting the decision.

The new Lens coach's pragmatism has paid off to some extent as the Blood and Gold, despite drawing the majority of their games so far, are still in the hunt for European football as they sit in fifth place, just three points off the top four.

This is all the more remarkable given that no club outside the relegation zone has a worse attacking record than them, with Still's men having found the net just nine times in nine games so far.

Recent Performance

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form:WDWDWW

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):WLDWDW

Lens Ligue 1 form:DDDDWL

Injuries and suspensions

PSG

3 Presnel Kimpembe

21 Lucas Hernández

9 Gonçalo Ramos

35 Lucas Beraldo(Doubt)

Lens

14 Facundo Medina

16 Hervé Koffi

2 Ruben Aguilar

19 Jimmy Cabot

9 Martín Satriano

22 Wesley Saïd

Team News

PSG will be without defender Lucas Beraldo through suspension, while Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez and Goncalo Ramos are all recovering from long-term injuries.

Bradley Barcola has been Ligue 1's Player of the Season so far, and his tally of eight is just one short of Lens' total for the season.

However, with a midweek clash against Atletico Madrid looming, Enrique may be tempted to rest Barcola and a number of other key players ahead of the big game.

Like PSG, Lens will be without a South American defender due to a yellow card accumulation, with Facundo Medina sitting out the match for the visitors.

Medina started at full-back last week, but Jhoanner Chaves is likely to come in and Przemyslaw Frankowski, who was substituted at half-time against Lille, is thought to be uninjured.

Wesley Said, Jimmy Cabot, Martin Satriano and Ruben Aguilar all remain on the sidelines for Lens, however, as Still could name a similar side to the one that lost the Derby du Nord.

Possible starting lineups

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Skriniar, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Mayulu, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha; Marco Asensio, Kolo Muani, D Doue

Lens possible starting lineup:

Samba; Gradit, Danso, Khusanov; Frankowski, Thomasson, Diouf, Chavez; Sotoca, Nzola, Zaroury