PSG vs Lens: Potential tricky test ahead for hosts on April 15th?

April 14, 2023 By Michelle Bonsu

Topics: TV Listings, TV Schedules, PSG, Lens, Ligue 1

Les Parisiens will hope to keep the chasing pack at bay when they welcome a high flying Lens on Saturday evening.

PSG will certainly be on their guard on Saturday when Lens come to town. Les Parisiens still are on top of the Ligue 1 table, but only hold a six point lead over the chasing pack. Christophe Galtier's side have not looked as confident as they have in prior seasons, and come into this contest having rebounded from back to back losses with a crucial 2-0 win over Nice last time out.

Goals from Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos were enough to give the capital-based club a much-needed three points, but it still has not quelled unease in some quarters at PSG. The cash-rich, ambitious club fell short once again in the Champions League, with Bayern Munich proving to be too tough an opponent for a star-studded team boasting the likes of Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe in their ranks to overcome.

Meanwhile, upcoming opponents Lens have been having an absolutely outstanding season. Franck Haise's men have won their last four matches on the spin and have conceded 22 times, making their defense the strongest in French football's top flight. In addition, Lens have lost just three matches all season, and notably beat PSG 3-1 in the reverse fixture back on New Year's Day. Of their three losses, only one has been on the road, but Haise is facing a selection crisis headache ahead of this contest due to a rapidly-growing injury list.

That being said, Lens have been quite imperious in defense, as indicated in their overall record. They've conceded just one goal in their last four games and are well on their way to secure a very likely spot in the Champions League for the first time in several years. While PSG will present a tough opponent, Lens do have a solid track record versus their upcoming hosts. Including their 3-1 win on January 1st, Les Sang et Or have lost just one of their last five meetings against Les Parisiens - and have scored in all five of those prior fixtures.

Hence, should Lens avoid a loss on Saturday evening, it will really shake things up in the Ligue 1 title race. The pressure, naturally, will be firmly on PSG as they are facing another disappointing season. Will they rise to the occasion, or stumble during this upcoming tricky test?

Team news: PSG vs Lens

PSG: The hosts are without superstar Neymar for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury. In addition, both Presnel Kimpembe and Nordi Mukiele are out for the remainder of the current campaign as a result of Achilles and hamstring problems respectively. Renato Sanches and Marco Verratti have been ruled out, and Juan Bernat is a doubt.

Lens: The visitors have several players out due to knee injuries, including Jimmy Cabot, Wuilker Farinez, Julien Le Cardinal, and Steven Fortes.

Match facts: PSG vs Lens

PSG have lost their last two Ligue 1 home games
Les Parisiens have won just one of their last five meetings against Lens
Lens have lost just three times this season - and once on the road
Les Sang et Or are on a four match winning streak - and have conceded just once during that run