Ligue 1 | Gameweek 15

Dec 15, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Parc des Princes

PSGvs.Lyon

Match preview

Having won just one of their first five games in the new Champions League format, Paris Saint-Germain were in desperate need of maximum points when they travelled to Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday night.

Despite head coach Luis Enrique claiming that his side's performance was worse than the one that led to their defeat at Atletico Madrid in November, Les Parisiens eventually ran out comfortable winners, with goals from Goncalo Ramos, Nuno Mendes and Desire Doue sealing a 3-0 triumph.

PSG remain one point off a top-24 finish in the Champions League ahead of January's clashes with Manchester City and Stuttgart, but their form in France contrasts sharply with their domestic form, where Les Parisiens are on a 14-match unbeaten run at the start of the Ligue 1 campaign.

However, Enrique will be frustrated by his side's inability to take maximum points from their last two top-flight games, with the French champions holding Nantes to a 1-1 draw at home on 30 November before playing out a goalless draw at Auxerre last Friday night.

Five points clear of second-placed Marseille at the top of Ligue 1, PSG are on course to retain their French crown despite the summer departure of club legend Kylian Mbappe, with the likes of Bradley Barcola stepping up in attack.

Since a narrow one-goal defeat to Turkish giants Besiktas in the Europa League at the end of October, Lyon have enjoyed an impressive nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions and will be confident of causing an upset at the Parc des Princes this weekend.

Les Gones are closing in on a place in the last 16 of the Europa League after a successful night at the Groupama on Thursday, when goals from Premier League duo Rayan Cherki, Malick Fofana and Ernest Nuamah sealed a 3-2 win over Bundesliga challengers Eintracht Frankfurt.

Domestically, Lyon arrive in the French capital this weekend on the back of back-to-back Ligue 1 victories, having thrashed European chasers Nice 4-1 at the Groupama on December 1 and relegation-threatened Angers 3-0 on December 7.

Pierre Sage's men, who will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to double figures on Sunday, can extend their unbeaten run on the road to a sensational nine games, with the last defeat coming away to mid-table Rennes in late August.

In the face of the league's most potent attack, Lyon will be hoping to continue their defensive prowess this weekend, with Sunday's visitors having conceded just six goals in seven Ligue 1 outings so far in 2024-25.

Recent Performance

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form:WWWWDD

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):WWLDDW

Lyon Ligue 1 form:DDWDWW

Lyon form (all competitions):WDWWWW

Team News

After 18 months on the sidelines with a serious muscle injury, PSG centre-back Presnel Kimpembe is back in first-team training and edging closer to a return to competitive action.

Les Parisiens will also be without Senny Mayulu, who is expected to miss most of December with a calf problem.

Having served a one-match ban in the Champions League earlier this week, Ousmane Dembele will be eager to return to action for the hosts in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Lucas Hernandez, who featured for seven minutes in Austria on Tuesday, made his long-awaited return from injury and should play a part for PSG this weekend.

Lyon have no fresh injury concerns after Thursday night's win over Eintracht Frankfurt, meaning Sage could stick with an unchanged XI.

Said Benrahma and Georges Mikautadze have both shown flashes of attacking prowess this season, but they will have to settle for a place on the bench.

Possible starting lineup

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Hernandez; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Dembele, Barcola, Ramos

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Perri; Maitland-Niles, Niakhate, Caleta-Car, Tagliafico; Tolisso, Matic, Cherki; Fofana, Nuamah, Lacazette