Introduction
An important clash for the title race awaits in Ligue 1. The 3rd placed team Olympique Lyonnais welcome the runners-up Paris Saint-Germain at the Groupama Stadium.
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Why Should You be Watching?
A big game that will most probably set the tone of the Ligue 1 title race. Paris Saint-Germain is currently tied on points with Olympique Lyonnais but is ahead of them on the goal difference. Both teams are currently sitting three points behind league leaders, Lille and a win of any team will send them three points ahead of the other one and the loser will be six points behind Lille if Lille wins their next game. This will really intensify more the title race and it will be really harmful to the loser, and a big satisfaction for the winner.
Build Up
Lyon
Unbeaten in five with three wins and two draws, Rudi Garcia’s men will be relying on the reasonably strong home form that has seen them beat the likes of Monaco this term.
Olympique Lyonnais Ligue 1 form: LWDWD
Olympique Lyonnais all competitions form: WDWWD
PSG
A 3-0 home win over Lille in the Coupe de France in midweek suggested that PSG could be about to knuckle down in their bid to overhaul Les Dogues in the title race and Lyon away will be crucial in that.
Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form: WLWWL
Paris Saint-Germain all competitions form: WWDLW
Head-to-Head
Since past years, PSG won most of their games and sometimes by crushing OL with a big score. In the last 5 meetngs PSG won four in a row. The last time the two sides met, Lyon won 1-0 in a too tight game. Last time PSG have beaten Lyon was back in the summer of 2020 in the final of the last edition of the French League Cup. However, coming in this big match Lyon look a bit more favourites with a better form. But PSG have some players back from injuries and forget their disastrous night against Nantes last weekend by a win in French Cup RO16 against Ligue 1 leaders Lille.
Team News and Lineups
Lyon
For Lyon, their main man in midfield Aouar is set to miss the game due to a muscle injury. Garcia primarily favors a fluid 4-3-3 formation with the front three of Kadewere Memphis Depay and Karl Toko Ekambi. Lyon does have options in the bank though, including Rayan Cherki and the experienced Islam Slimani. At midfield n absence of Aouar Caqueret should start along with Lucas Paqueta and Thiago Mendes. At the back Lyon will go for De Sciglio and Denayer, Marcelo, Dubois with Lopes In goal.
Predicted Lineup
Formation- 4-3-3
Gk- Lopes
Defense – De Sciglio, Denayer, Marcelo, Dubois
Midfield – Caqueret Mendes, Paqueta
Attack- Toko Ekambi, Depay, Kadewere
Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
One of Pochettino’s main problems at PSG has been injuries that keeps the likes of Juan Bernat, Thilo Kehrer, Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia on the sidelines heading into this fixture. To make matters worse, Colin Dagba has been ruled out due to suspension.
It leaves Alessandro Florenzi as pretty much a guaranteed starter at right-back while Layvin Kurzawa is likely to get the nod ahead of the young Mitchell Bakker on the opposite flank. The two should play an integral role in offering width out wide
In midfield, Idrissa Gueye should slot in effortlessly alongside Leandro Paredes, although Danilo Pereira is also another option. Marco Verratti should get the nod as the third midfielder ahead of Julian Draxler and Rafinha. Pochettino has confirmed that Neymar will be included in the squad for Sunday’s game, although his potential appearance remains a doubt. As such, the PSG frontline could continue to be spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe, with Moise Kean and Angel Di Maria offering additional support.
Predicted Lineup
Formation – 4-3-3
Gk- Navas
Defense – Kurzawa, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Alessandro Florenzi
Midfield – Veratti, Paredes, Gueye
Attack- Mbappe, Kean, Di Maria
Players to Watch Out For
Depay
Pay attention to him! He is one of the best strikers in the world right now, some big clubs want to sign him. Depay has scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in 35 games this season so far in all competitions (club and country). He is the 2nd top scorer of Ligue 1.
Paqueta
The Brazilian is playing well in his last few games, providing some goal contributions and important for the teamwork. He scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists this season and he made most of them in the last few matches. Lyon made the right choice of signing him in the summer from AC Milan, paying 23M Euros.
Mbappé
He is on good form, scoring and making assist in most of the games for PSG. He is important to them. The Frenchmen have scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 39 games this season in all competitions (club and country). Also, as well as Depay, a lot of big clubs want him. He is the top-scorer of Ligue 1.
Navas
He is just a wall. He is on fire! In the last games of PSG Navas made a lot of saves, clean sheets as well as he saved 2 penalties in 2 games in a row. He is independent for PSG, saving the team in a lot of games this season. Like carrying their defense.
Conclusion
This is by no means to be an easy task for Olympique Lyon if we take into account PSG’s recent triumph over FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League while the Ligue 1 giants also recently secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory over league leaders Lille in the Cup. Lyon, in contrast, has strayed from their paths in recent weeks, often struggling to maintain their consistency. This big fixture will be one of the most fascinating to watch during the weekend with the current standings of both teams spicing it up even more. So, stay tuned for this amazing match as expected whether it turns for Lyon side or Paris side.
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ESTEZ JOHN
It will be 100% a crazy game. I am really happy to have written my first article with ball that matters. Hoping PSG for winning. Prediction: 2-1 PSG