PSG vs Lens Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is PSG vs Lens on and what time does it start? PSG vs Lens will take place on Saturday 24th August, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for PSG vs Lens? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is PSG vs Lens on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for PSG vs Lens
Where can I stream PSG vs Lens in the UK? If PSG vs Lens is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
PSG
It has been another turbulent and fairly embarrassing, ridiculous summer for the French champions and it would be justice for their disorganisation if someone put up a serious challenge this season. Despite that, with Neymar and Lionel Messi leaving, Kylian Mbappe returning, Luis Enrique being appointed and some of the business they have done, and intend to reportedly do, they look as strong as ever, albeit not quite yet on the pitch.
In the opening game of the season at home to Lorient, they completed over a thousand passes and broke the record for Ligue 1 for most completed passes – but didn’t score and were held to a goalless draw; which is very ‘Luis Enrique’s Spain at the 2022 FIFA World Cup post-opening game’. They followed that up with a 1-1 draw in Toulouse with the two goals being scored from the penalty spot.
LENS
Lens gained promotion back to France’s top-flight in 2020 and have been one of the smartest and progressive clubs in Ligue 1 in that time. They had threatened the European spots in their first couple of seasons back up before mounting a serious and sustained title challenge last season, finishing second and earning automatic qualification to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Over the summer, though, they have lost captain Seko Fofana to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, as well as star striker Lois Openda to RB Leipzig of the Bundesliga. Lens have remained ambitious themselves, though, recently bringing in Elye Wahi from Montpellier for a club record fee. They have collected just one point from their opening two matches, though, after losing to Brest on the opening day, despite being 2-0 up in that match, and then sharing a 1-1 draw with a similarly upwardly mobile Rennes side last weekend.
THE TEAM NEWS
PSG
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele started for PSG last weekend and they will be expected to do so again. There are plenty of injuries for Luis Enrique to deal with but his side remains a strong one.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Ugarte, Ruiz; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe
UNAVAILABLE: Bernat (Injured), Letellier (Injured), Rico (Injured), Mendes (Injured), Mukiele (Injured), Kimpembe (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LENS
Lens will play a 3-4-2-1 system and they do have some players available to them to potentially change their fortunes, such as new record signing Elye Wahi, but it remains a difficult task to get back on last season’s track.
PREDICTED XI (X-X-X-X): Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Samed, Diouf, Machado; Thomasson, Fulgini; Sotoca
UNAVAILABLE: El Aynaoui (Suspended), Poreba (Injured), Said (Injured), Cabot (Injured), Farinez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Paris Saint-Germain are learning and adapting to the complex and aggressive style of football that Luis Enrique wants to play at Parc des Princes. The reigning champions are yet to score from open play this season and the floodgates opening remains an unlikely scenario against a stubborn, albeit faltering and transitioning Lens side. Whilst Lens may worse off than last year, they will still be difficult to beat for PSG. Last season’s top two are yet to win this season and, regardless of if PSG do come out on top like they are expected to, it is also expected to be a lower scoring match.
TIP: UNDER 3.5 GOALS
