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Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain will host defending champions Lille at the Parc des Princes on Friday. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have not been in the best of form in the league lately, having dropped five points in their last three games.
Despite the dip in form, PSG have remained atop the Ligue 1 standings, currently leading second-placed Lens by seven points. Lille, on the other hand, have not been as lucky and are yet to find their footing in Ligue 1 this season. They are currently 10th in the league and need a miracle to turn around their floundering campaign.
Friday’s Ligue 1 clash has all the makings of an action-packed encounter and we cannot wait for the ball to roll.
On that note, here are our top five predictions for PSG’s Ligue 1 clash against champions Lille.
#5 PSG to feel Achraf Hakimi's absence
PSG had to endure a frustrating goalless draw against Marseille in their last Ligue 1 encounter on Sunday evening. Not only were they frustrated by a pitch invasion and a VAR call, but they also lost their most prolific full-back in the second half.
PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi, who joined from Inter Milan this summer, received his marching orders after challenging Cengiz Under recklessly. Under was through on goal when the Moroccan brought him down.
The challenge forced referee Benoit Bastien to show a straight red, meaning Hakimi will have to sit out for two matches. The two-time CAF Youth Player of the Year has been in impressive form for PSG in Ligue 1, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Thilo Kehrer is set to come in for Hakimi, but PSG will surely miss the latter's pace and creativity down the right side of the pitch.
#4 Lille to take a defensive approach against PSG
In the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign, Lille were full of zeal and ruthlessness. But this season, under Jocelyn Gourvennec, they have looked lost and directionless.
The attacking intent is gone and so is their defensive structure. The champions of Ligue 1 have been reduced to a mid-table club, showing no signs of defending their crown.
Lille, at least in their current shape, cannot take the fight to PSG, especially in Paris. So to save face and get something out of the tie, they could defend tightly and try to frustrate the league leaders.
It will not be easy, of course, especially against the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi. But that is the punishment Lille must be willing to take to make amends for their disastrous start to the campaign.
#3 Georginio Wijnaldum to get a chance to prove his worth
PSG’s midfield maestro Marco Verratti picked up a knock during the club's 0-0 draw with Marseille in Sunday’s Le Classique. Upon closer inspection, a hip injury has been identified, ruling him out for about four weeks.
In his absence, summer signing Gini Wijnaldum could get the opportunity to lead PSG’s midfield against Lille, and he must make the most of it.
Wijnaldum, who is yet to score or assist for his new employers, has only started one of PSG’s last six games in all competitions, coming as a substitute in the remaining five fixtures. He has not looked the sharpest when on the pitch, which is making it harder and harder for him to climb up the pecking order at the Parc des Princes.
With Verratti out for a couple of matches, Wijnaldum could get his starting berth back. This time, through some impressive performances, he must find a way to keep his place in the team.
#2 Lionel Messi to open his account in Ligue 1
Former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi took his sweet time finding the back of the net for the first time in PSG colors. Now that he has finally popped his cherry, everyone is expecting him to make a habit of it.
Messi has already scored three goals in as many UEFA Champions League appearances, but he is yet to score or assist in Ligue 1.
Messi was expected to be the difference-maker in Sunday’s Le Classique, but that did not go according to plan. Against an out-of-shape Lille, Messi is likely to find more joy, both as a creator and scorer.
The Argentine has always been good at unlocking stubborn defenses and we will not bet against him on Friday.
Expect the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to score or assist against the defending champions this week.
#1 PSG to get narrow win over Lille
In their last three Ligue 1 games, PSG were beaten 2-0 by Rennes, beat Angers 2-1 at home, and then drew 0-0 at Marseille. It is evident that Mauricio Pochettino’s side are not enjoying their best of runs in Ligue 1.
Yes, they do have a comfortable seven-point cushion at the top of Ligue 1, but that is down to their explosive start to the season. Pochettino’s PSG are still figuring out their best combination and are yet to live up to the hype.
That being said, a struggling Lille side probably do not have enough to keep PSG’s star-studded attack at bay. They might dig deep and frustrate PSG for the majority of the match, but Lille are unlikely to walk away with maximum points.
We expect PSG to struggle but ultimately land a knockout punch. We predict a 2-1 win for the hosts on Friday.
