A top-flight Ligue 1 clash against unexpected rivals pits the defending champions on New Year’s Day, as Lens welcome Paris Saint-Germain to the Stade Boulart-Delilys. Lens vs PSG French Ligue 1. Frank Hyes’ side were held to a goalless draw by Nice in their first game since the World Cup, while Les Parisiens held on late to beat Strasbourg 2-1.
There wasn’t a clinical touch for either side when Nice battled Lens on Thursday night, as both sides shared a share of the spoils after a 0-0 draw, with Hyes’ men failing to make their dominant period count.
Lens vs PSG French Ligue 1
Failure to find the back of the net against Les Aiglons ended Lens’ astonishing five-game winning run in Ligue 1, but Hayes and his brilliant crop continue to make waves at this level of football and remain PSG’s biggest title threat.
Les Sang et Or – who have endured life in Ligue 2 turmoil as recently as 2019-20 – are second with a total of 37 points from 16 games, seven adrift of the runaway champions and four clear of third-placed Marseille.
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While Lens have sometimes flattered the term to cheat on the road, their record at the Stade Boulart-Delais is the dictionary definition of perfection, as the hosts have won eight of their Ligue 1 home games so far this season – even PSG haven’t. The form boasts such a hot streak.
Hyes’s side have surprisingly been the top-performing side at home in Ligue 1 this term – already besting the likes of Rennes and Lyon – and conceding just one goal in their last five top-flight games at home will surely leave them in tatters. Apprehension from the visiting team.
Wasting no time getting back to base after suffering his first heartbreak at the World Cup, Kylian Mbappe proved he had not abandoned his penalty-spot skills in Qatar, as the Golden Boot winner held his nerve from 12 yards at the death. A narrow win against Strasbourg.
At a Glance
Coincidentally, the man who knocked Brazil out of the World Cup after missing a penalty was involved in both of the opening goals at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. When Adrien Thomason’s cross deflected off the centre-back before Marquinhos headed in Neymar’s free kick. Back of the net for Strasbourg’s equaliser. Lens vs PSG French Ligue 1.
Neymar would then go from hero to nil – receiving a second yellow card for diving – but Mbappe committed a foul in the penalty area in the sixth minute of second-half injury time and did what he does to seal it from the 12-yard mark. A last gasp victory.
A sixth straight win in Ligue 1 ensured PSG would maintain their healthy seven-point lead at the top of the rankings going into 2023. And for all Lens’ sensational performances on home soil this term, Christophe Gaultier’s men dropped just two points. All season road.
As well as two points away from home, PSG have scored just two goals in their eight Ligue 1 games on the rival’s turf this season. But the 2021-22 campaign has been held to a pair of draws by the perpetual surprise package lens and nothing to take for granted against Hyes and his overachieving charges. will not accept
Possible Lineups
Lens possible starting lineup:
Samba; Medina, Danso, Gradit; Frankowski, Abdul Samed, Fofana, Onana, Machado; Sotoca, Openda
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Ramos, Mukiele; Vitinha, Verratti, Ruiz; Soler; Mbappe, Sarabia
Prediction Lens vs PSG French Ligue 1
We say: Lens 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar? No messi? No fun for PSG. While Mbappe is always capable of conjuring some game-changing moments for the champions. His ability is somewhat limited even when the famous trifecta is broken.
Lens have brushed aside every foe that has visited their fortress this term. And while victory against defensively-sound Parisiens may still be a step away. We trust Hyes’ side to hold the champions to a low-scoring draw.
