Lens to pose tough early test for French champions
Thomas Tuchel’s Paris Saint-Germain embark on their Ligue 1 title defence with a trip to Lens. The French champions were granted a break in between the Champions League final and the start of their domestic season and so are playing with most teams having already had two runouts. Taking the holiday which CL semi finalists Lyon did not opt for has hugely backfired for the Parisians, with many players having to sit out after contracting COVID-19. They are without Neymar; Kylian Mbappe, Keylor Navas, Marquinhos, Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi due to issues surrounding the virus. This has caused their price to win the match to drift massively, they are however still strong favourites.
Lens’ curtain raiser
Last season’s second placed finishers in Ligue 2 were extremely unlucky to end up on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline to current league leaders Nice in gameweek one. They created 2.86 expected goals compared to 0.14 from Patrick Vieira’s men, suffering to the brilliance of Amine Gouiri who bagged a brace. It must be said their xG total was inflated a tad by their goal being from the spot, however Gabriel Kakuta expertly converted and will be very motivated to kick on against the champions.
How will Tuchel reshuffle?
After showing considerable faith in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the latter stages of the Champions League, and that trust being repaid in the form of an injury time winner in the quarter final against Atalanta from the Cameroon international, the 31-year-old looks set to lead the line, looking to act as the focal point and provide chances from attack minded midfielders in Julian Draxler and Pablo Sarabia around him.
Marquinhos’ exception will likely see a start for 2019 summer signing Abdou Diallo. The 24-year-old will slot in alongside ever improving centre back Presnel Kimpembe, looking to stake a claim to be more than just a rotational entity in this campaign. There will be plenty of players with a point to prove out there, with the weight of responsibility potentially playing in Lens’ hands.
The man to step up
Julian Draxler has flattered to deceive a touch in the French capital, having been surrounded by a lot of hype at both club and international level, the 26-year-old has a modest record in his three and a half seasons at PSG. He has scored 20 and assisted 32 in 140 matches, but particularly since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel has been phased out of first team action. To drag his career back on track he must grab this opportunity with both hands and show why he can be an attacking force in Ligue 1.
PSG may still be on the beach; Lens must be taken seriously especially with their eye-catching performance despite the result in their opening game.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Lens sprung a surprise to beat the Ligue 1 champions 1-0.