Lyon vs PSG: Preview and Prediction
After an undefeated start to the season, Paris Saint-Germain will look to further cement their grip at the top of the Ligue 1 standings by fending off their rivals Olympique Lyon at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday night.
While the hosts come into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Monaco, PSG recently overcame Maccabi Haifa 3-1 midweek in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League season.
After a good start to their league campaign, Peter Bosz’s side has endured back-to-back losses which seems to have derailed their chase. They sit six points behind upcoming opponents PSG and four adrift of third-placed Lens.
In their most recent outing, Les Gones went down to Monaco courtesy of Benoit Badiashile’s goal, and their weakness from set-pieces was exploited again as Guillermo Maripan further compounded their miseries.
Lyon did find a consolation goal from Karl Toko Ekambi’s volley but it proved to be too little too late. They have scored in 16 consecutive games in Ligue 1, but having kept just a solitary clean sheet in their previous 10 league matches highlights the area of concern for Bosz.
The last time Lyon lost three games back-to-back in Ligue 1 was more than four and a half years ago, but PSG will be keen to do just that when they travel to town on Sunday. Christophe Galtier’s men went down 0-1 against their UCL opponents in midweek but the trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe came to their rescue.
Cracks are finally starting to appear in the Parisians’ title defence as they put in an underwhelming show against Brest last week but the fact that they have scored at least three goals in all of their previous nine matches on the road would give them confidence.
Current Form
Lyon began their league campaign in style winning four of their first five matches, dropping points in a 1-1 draw against Reims but a 1-3 defeat against Lorient followed by their second consecutive defeat against Monaco has seen Bosz’s side drop down to fifth place in the league standings.
They have picked up 13 points from seven matches and face another stern test in PSG up next.
Galtier’s reign in the French capital has been smooth sailing so far, given they have only failed to win just one game in all of the competitive fixtures so far since the new coach arrived.
After winning their first three matches in Ligue 1, the club from Parc des Princes shared the spoils with Monaco in a 1-1 draw, and since then they’ve embarked upon a five-match winning streak, including a 2-1 win over Serie-A heavyweights Juventus in the Champions League.
Team News
Lyon has won their last 8 home games in Ligue 1
The hosts were hopeful to have Jerome Boateng back in their defensive line for the trip to Monaco but he didn’t feature last week and won’t be available for their upcoming clash either.
Goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck has also been ruled out of the clash on Sunday through a knee injury but apart from these two players Bosz has a full roster to choose from and he might have to ponder some alterations after two consecutive losses.
The midfield trio of Maxence Caqueret, Johann Lepenant and Corentin Tolisso could keep their places although 19-year-old Rayan Cherki is making a case for himself having provided his third assist in six matches last week.
As far as PSG are concerned, coach Galtier has a selection dilemma in his defensive line with Presnel Kimpembe out with a hamstring injury. Danilo Pereira is likely to start there, alongside Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos.
Gianluigi Donnarumma will keep his place in the goal, while wing-backs Nuno Mendes and Nordi Mukiele could be replaced by Juan Bernat and Achraf Hakimi. Vitinha and Marco Verratti are likely to keep their places in the engine room with the front three of Neymar, Messi and Mbappe undisputed starters.
Head to Head Record
The last time PSG and Lyon came face to face, both sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in January 2022. They have met each other 57 times across all competitions, with Les Gones having prevailed on 17 occasions, while the Parc des Princes’ outfit has emerged victorious 25 times, with the remaining 15 contests ending as draws.
Predicted Starting XIs
Lyon (4-3-3): Anthony Lopes, Malo Gusto, Thiago Mendes, Castello Lukeba, Nicolas Tagliafico, Maxence Caqueret, Johann Lepenant, Corentin Tolisso, Tete, Alexandre Lacazette, Toko Ekambi.
PSG (3-4-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Danilo Pereira, Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, Marco Verratti, Vitinha, Juan Bernat, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar.
Prediction
Given the recent form of both these sides, PSG will start as favourites and the front three of Neymar, Messi and Mbappe could end up hurting the ailing defence line of Lyon. That being said, the hosts will be cheered on by a packed Groupama Stadium and they’re likely to have moments of their own, but expect the Parisians to have an upper hand.