LOSC Lille take on heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday in a mouthwatering Ligue 1 clash that has delivered fireworks.
Both teams come into the tie with 100% records after their opening two league games of the season and will be keen on protecting that clean slate at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Lille began their season with a routine win over Stade Reims.
Les Rouges et Blancs shot themselves in the foot when Amadou Kone picked up a red card for nearly taking off Angel Gomes’ head with a horrendous tackle in the early exchanges.
Lille punished them for it. Reims goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf held the fort between the sticks but was eventually breached just before half-time when promising centre-back Bafode Diakite thrashed in a loose ball from a corner-kick.
Wantaway striker Jonathan David came on from the bench and ensured the win with a stoppage-time goal, giving Les Dogues the perfect start under Bruno Genesio following the departure of Paulo Fonseca to AC Milan.
Lille then hosted Angers SCO and overpowered them on the way to a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from swashbuckling right-wing-back Thomas Meunier and striker Mohamed Bayo.
Les Dogues know they have a monumental task on hand but will be buoyed by their perfect start to the campaign.
However, they will need more than optimism to take down the Parisians, who are cruising this term.
PSG opened their season with a surprisingly hard-fought 4-1 win over Le Havre. Lee Kang-in gave them the early lead, but Gautier Lloris levelled proceedings.
PSG manager Luis Enrique brought on some big guns from the bench and downed their opponents in a late-game flurry.
Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Randal Kolo Muani netted with six minutes to go to ensure the win went to PSG.
PSG have surprisingly not missed talisman Kylian Mbappe following his Real Madrid move, with several players, especially Barcola, stepping up in his absence.
The former Lyon forward was on target twice as they mauled Montpellier in their second league clash.
Marco Asensio, Warren Zaire-Emery, Achraf Hakimi, and Kang-in also bagged goals in the 6-0 thumping at the Parc des Princes.
PSG look dangerous in every sense of the word. They are lighter, more fluid, and focused and will be desperate to lay down a marker against any potential challengers to their crown.
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Head-to-head
PSG unsurprisingly have the upper hand in this clash based on recent meetings. They have won seven of their previous ten meetings with Lille (L1, D2).
PSG have dominated this fixture with four wins over Les Dogues in their most recent five clashes, including some vicious thumpings.
They also hold the overall head-to-head lead in this tie 43-26-32.
Lille’s last victory over the Parisians came in 2021 when a 20th-minute David strike was enough to down Neymar, Mbappe, Angel Di Maria, and co.
Interestingly, Lille are the last team to wrestle the Ligue 1 title from PSG, clinching their fourth after the 2020/21 season. David, Burak Yilmaz, Jose Fonte, and Sven Botman famously spearheaded that unforgettable campaign.
Also, the last time Lille hosted PSG, the home side held their counterparts to a draw, and it will give them some confidence heading into this tie.
However, the two matches before that at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy ended in 7-1 and 5-1 mullerings that the Lille faithful will never want to remember.
After finishing fourth last term, they will also take confidence from sealing a place in the UEFA Champions League via the play-offs.
They overcame a Jose Mourinho-led Fenerbahce in the third qualifying round before sneaking past Slavia Praha on aggregate thanks to a late Edon Zhegrova goal to book their place in the showpiece.
Team news & potential line-ups
Lille midfielder Gomes is doubtful for this clash after his nasty head injury, which forced him off in their league opener.
He also missed the Angers visit. He is fit and ready to go, but Les Dogues must avoid rushing him back into the starting XI.
If Genesio does start the former Manchester United starlet, he is the sort of player who can pry this susceptible PSG backline open.
Gomes has matured from an attacking midfielder (number ten) into a complete central midfielder (number eight) and can wreak havoc if PSG do not curtail his involvement.
Lille left-back Ismaily is out of the tie with a meniscus injury. The former Shakhtar Donetsk defender will miss several weeks of action, meaning Gabriel Gudmundsson will continue in his stead.
Lille will be boosted by Kosovan playmaker Zhegrova, who should be back in the starting XI after serving his ban. The 25-year-old winger is expected to lead the flank attack against Les Parisiens.
On the other hand, PSG are without Goncalo Ramos, who recently underwent surgery and is expected to be out for months.
Enrique must choose between starting Asensio as a false nine or leading the line with the misfiring Kolo Muani.
Presnel Kimpembe is also on the treatment table following his nightmare injury problem.
The 2018 World Cup winner has not started a game since rupturing his Achilles tendon injury on February 26, 2023, and there is no date regarding his return to action.
Lille potential starting line-up:
(3-4-2-1): Lucas Chevalier; Aissa Mandi, Bafode Diakite, Alexsandro Ribeiro; Thomas Meunier, Benjamin Andre, Angel Gomes, Gabriel Gudmundsson; Hakon Haraldsson, Jonathan David, Edon Zhegrova.
PSG potential starting line-up:
(4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha; Ousmane Dembele, Marco Asensio, Bradley Barcola.
Prediction
Given their recent form and quality, it is reasonable to predict a PSG victory in this Ligue 1 clash.
The 12-time Ligue 1 champions have been dominant, showcasing their attacking flair and baring their fangs to anyone who dares rise against them.
Their attackers are forming a ruthless frontline that can obliterate teams domestically and in Europe. The addition of Joao Neves has given Enrique the midfield control he did not get with Manuel Ugarte.
Their showings against Le Havre and Montpellier highlight their ability to score goals and blow their opponents out of the water.
While impressive in their early-season wins, Lille know they are up against a juggernaut that is seemingly firing on all cylinders.
Lille’s defensive organisation, back three formation, and counter-attacking game could pose a threat, but PSG’s overall quality will likely prove too much.
PSG’s attacking firepower and Lille’s potential defensive vulnerabilities could lead to a high-scoring affair. However, Lille’s determination and ability to create chances could ensure they find the net at least once.
Prediction: Lille 1-4 PSG
