Paris Saint-Germain vs Lille Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Paris Saint-Germain were treble winners last season but they have already fallen short of that this time around as they welcome Lille to the Parc des Princes on Friday night.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime PPV & Ligue 1+ / US – beIN Sports Connect
Paris Saint-Germain preview: Frustrated PSG
Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain come into this one on the back of a shock 1-0 loss at home to city rivals Paris FC at the Parc des Princes in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France, ending their hopes of back-to-back treble-winning seasons.
The Parisians returned from the mid-season winter break with a hard-fought 2-1 win in Ligue 1 over Paris before then edging past Olympique de Marseille on penalties in the Trophee des Champions in Kuwait a few days later.
Lille preview: Entertaining Lille
Coached by the entertaining Bruno Genesio, Lille begin the 18th match day of the Ligue 1 season sitting tucked inside the top four with their 17 matches so far this season having consisted of 55 goals, with only PSG and Marseille having scored more than them.
They did recently see their four-match winning streak in Ligue 1 ended by a 2-0 loss at home to Stade Rennais a fortnight ago, before then suffering another loss, that time against Olympique Lyonnais in the Coupe de France last weekend.
Paris Saint-Germain team news: AFCON absentees
PSG remain without key right-back Achraf Hakimi, as he is away with Morocco at AFCON, while youngster Ibrahim Mbaye is with Senegal, with both having made the final four.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Unavailable: Safonov (Injured), Hernandez (Suspended), Hakimi (International duty), Lee (Injured), Ndjantou (Injured), Mbaye (International duty)
Questionable:
Lille team news: Mandi should return
Algeria international defender Aissa Mandi should have returned from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations for this one but Hamza Igamane remains with Morocco at the tournament.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ozer; Meunier, Ngoy, Santos, Verdonk; Bouaddi, Bentaleb; Broholm, Haraldsson, Fernandez-Pardo; Giroud
Unavailable: Toure (Injured), Andre (Injured), Igamane (International duty)
Questionable: Mandi (International duty)
Paris Saint-Germain vs Lille prediction
Luis Enrique has had to adapt this season with so many injury issues and quite a small squad but the defending champions now have more or less a fully fit squad in the final third. PSG returned from last season’s winter break in excellent form but they have started slowly this time around. The same can be said for Lille but the visitors will still fancy their chances of creating at least a few chances in the capital city, albeit the hosts remain firm favourites.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Lille tip: Paris Saint-Germain to win & both teams to score
