PSG to recapture Ligue 1 form by beating champions
League leaders Paris Saint-Germain will be looking for a more convincing display when they take on reigning champions LOSC Lille in Ligue 1 at the Parc Des Princes on Friday night. The giants controversially beat Angers SCO 2-1 last time out after coming from behind, and a better level of performance will be required. Read our preview here:
Have a Kehrer
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino will have to make do without a slew of first team players, the latest being the suspended Achraf Hakimi. The flying right wing-back has had an explosive start to life in the French capital, but still has some way to develop if he is to become an all-round talent, particularly when defending his own flank. In his place will be German international Thilo Kehrer, and given that Lille will line up in a 4-4-2, his greater composure between both boxes will be a real asset. Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappé's ear infection will be assessed, making him a slight doubt. Gini Wijnaldum should line up in the engine room in the absence of Marco Verratti alongside Idrissa Gueye, whilst supporters will be hoping for a few more moments of magic from Leo Messi.
Dirty Sanches
Having lost their manager and a host of their title winning players, the current season has to be regarded as a transitional one for Les Dogues. Jocelyn Gourvennec's record to date reads as 5-5-5, which even considering the tumult, is quite poor. It's unlikely to improve against the side his predecessor usurped temporarily, especially when Sven Botman is out injured. Benjamin André is another individual who'll miss out due to suspension, and Renato Sanches will almost certainly deputise for him. The Portuguese box-to-box midfielder has had a strange career thus far; his ability has never been in question, but consistently applying it most definitely has. He'll have a tough time against Gueye and Wijnaldum, so must make the most of the opportunities afforded to him to feed the prolific strike partnership of Jonathan David (top scorer in the whole league) and Burak Yılmaz.
Taking Poch shots
Even a slightly weakened PSG are likely to put Lille to the sword and extend their lead at the top of the tree. bet365 have odds of 2.75 for that to occur with both teams scoring.
