Paris Saint Germain will be up against Lens in the Ligue 1 encounter at the Parc des Princes on the 23rd of April. PSG are just one point away from claiming the Ligue 1 title and will be hoping to get the job done against Lens in front of their own fans at the Parc des Princes. Lens, on the other hand, are seventh in the table and are three points away from the European spots for next season.
PSG suffered heartbreak in Europe against Real Madrid in the Round of 16 stages of the Champions League and they were forced to watch their European competitors battle for places in the final four last week. Crashing out of Europe’s premier competition in an unbelievable manner is rather becoming a sour theme for the Parisian club and despite the additions of superstars like Messi, Ramos, Hakimi, and Donnarumma, they were unable to avoid the same fate.
However, they are the runaway league leaders in France and another title is just a matter of time for the Parisian club. The domestic push has gathered tremendous pace once again and Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been in ruthless form since the return from the international break. PSG put five goals past Lorient earlier this month and they then went one better and topped themselves by smashing six goals against Clermont away from home. They then grabbed a massive 2-1 victory against Marseille in the Le Classique derby which was followed by a straightforward 3-0 victory away from home against Angers midweek.
PSG also had the chance to wrap up the Ligue 1 title against Angers in the midweek round of fixtures by simply bettering second-placed Marseille’s result in the same round. Mauricio Pochettino’s side did their bit as Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Ramos, and Marquinhos got on the scoresheet against a lackluster Angers side.
For quite a while, it seemed that PSG would be crowned champions on the night as Marseille were trailing in their own match. However, they came from behind to eventually secure a 3-2 win against Nantes, which extended PSG’s wait for the title a little longer.
The Parisian outfit’s fate is now in their own hands. With just five matches left in the current season, PSG have a 15-point lead at the top of the table and even a draw against Lens will see them secure the domestic league title for the 10th time in their history.
Although it is arriving towards the late stages of the season, PSG’s famed attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi are finally starting to click. In the match against Clermont, both Mbappe and Neymar netted hattricks while the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner set up three goals for his teammates in the match.
While Messi, who missed the midweek trip to Angers due to illness, has attracted criticism for his lack of goals in his maiden Ligue 1 season, he has made up for it by racking up plenty of assists. He registered three assists in a match for the second time this season and is only behind his Parisian teammate Mbappe at the top of the assist charts in Ligue 1.
Even if PSG stumble and fail to grab the all-important point that they need to secure their 10th league title, they will be presented with enough opportunities to do exactly that with fixtures against Strasbourg, Metz, Troyes, and Montpellier in the remaining games. However, there’s no doubt that Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to wrap up domestic success as soon as possible as an uncertain summer beckons for him and several players.
With their victory against Angers in the midweek fixture, PSG have won their last four Ligue 1 matches on the trot. They’ve also won their last eight league games at the Parc des Princes. Lens will have to punch considerably above their weight in order to pick up a positive result from this clash.
Lens have also been in imperious home in the domestic league over the last few matches. They have won their last 3 games on the trot and will be gunning to achieve their end-of-season goals. They are currently seventh in the table, but a top-five spot is merely three points away and, certainly not all the question.
Lens were up against Montpellier in the midweek round of fixtures. David Costa and Ignatius Ganago scored on either side of the half-time break to pick up all three points from that match. Lens had previously defeated Lille and Nice in Ligue 1 in a strong run of results.
They are still outside the Champions League, Europa League as well as the Europa Conference League spots. However, only three points separate them from Monaco, Strasbourg, and Rennes. Lens will also have to face Monaco on the final day of the season as they continue with their bid for European football.
While an interesting battle is expected to ensue for the third spot in the table, Lens have been pretty inconsistent on the road this season. They’ve picked up only 21 points from a possible 48 on offer and have won just three Ligue 1 matches away from home since October last year.
With that being said, Lens have already halted PSG’s momentum this season. The previous meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 stalemate. However, the Parisians have not lost to Lens at home since 2006 and their home supporters will definitely be expecting a title party at the full-time whistle.
PSG vs LEN, Ligue 1 2021/22
Date: 23rd April, 2022
Time: 12:30 AM IST
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
FORM GUIDE:
Paris Saint Germain Ligue 1 form:
- W-L-W-W-W-W
Paris Saint Germain form (all competitions):
- W-L-W-W-W-W
Lens Ligue 1 form:
- D-W-L-W-W-W
Lens form (all competitions):
- D-W-L-W-W-W
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Paris Saint Germain wins: 19
Draws: 10
Lens wins: 13
TEAM NEWS:
Paris Saint Germain Team News: PSG suddenly find themselves without the services of a whole host of players and the treatment room appears to be in full capacity once again. Midfielders Leandro Paredes and Julian Draxler are set to miss the remainder of the season after getting operated on. They will also be kept company in the medical room by Ander Herrera, Ismael Gharbi, Layvin Kurzawa, and Abdou Diallo.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, Marco Verratti and Presnel Kimpembe are all facing a race against time to return to the squad for a possible title coronation this weekend. Neymar is also expected to be back into the starting XI after serving a domestic ban in the previous game. Mauro Icardi, meanwhile, has been ruled out for the next two weeks with a thigh injury.
19-year-old midfielder Edouard Michut is also suspended for this clash after seeing his marching orders late against Angers. Pochettino could revert back to a 4-3-3 formation after experimenting with a back threat the Stade Raymond Kopa a few days ago. As such, Thilo Kehrer is expected to make way with Sergio Ramos and Marquinhos starting in central defence.
Lens Team News: On the other hand, Lens will be boosted by the return of left-back Massadio Haidara who has returned after serving a two-game suspension. He will be expected to displace Deiver Machado from the starting XI. Christopher Wooh might also have to deputise in the back three in place of Facundo Medina who is out injured.
Gael Kakuta continues to struggle with his knee injury and Patrick Berg is also doubtful after playing through pain in the midweek fixture against Montpellier.
Paris Saint Germain possible starting lineup:
Navas; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Ramos, Mendes; Pereira, Gueye, Wijnaldum; Di Maria, Mbappe, Neymar
Lens possible starting lineup:
Farinez; Wooh, Danso, Gradit; Clauss, Fofana, Doucoure, Haidara; Costa; Sotoca, Ganago
Predictions:
PSG’s title victory is only a matter of time but Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be desperate to celebrate it at home this weekend. They have all the necessary tools at their disposal to carve through the Lens midfield and defence and they will only be strengthened by the possible returns of Marco Verratti and Lionel Messi.
While PSG’s list of injuries, as well as Lens’ recent form, makes it a more balanced scenario, PSG have been almost flawless in Ligue 1 since the return from the international break. They will be expected to secure the victory here, and with it, the all-important domestic crown.
PSG vs LEN Fantasy XI No. 1
PSG vs LEN Fantasy XI No. 2
