27 October 2021, 16:38 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Ligue 1 leaders, Paris Saint-Germain, take on the champions, Lille OSC, this Friday, October 29, in another French Ligue 1 fixture which signals the first day of Matchweek 12. Scheduled for kick-off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on PSG’s home turf, this highly anticipated fixture could see as many as 45,000 fans in the stands.
Preview Paris Saint Germain Ligue 1, Oct 29, 2021
Preview The pace-setters look to steer clear of the pack by picking up three more points on the first day of the weekend when they welcome bitter rivals LOSC to the Parc des Princes. PSG remained at the top of the table following a goalless draw against Marseille in last weekend’s Le Classique. Despite having the numerical disadvantage for most of the second half after Achraf Hakimi (R. 57’) was shown the red for a shove on a goal-bound Cengiz Ünder, PSG held on to the stalemate until full-time. The nine-time French Ligue 1 champions had four shots on target after ten attempts, stemming from 526 passes while having 52% of the ball. On Friday, Mauricio Pochettino would like to see his side convert their chances in order to keep second-placed RC Lens – who face Lyon over the weekend - at bay. Having picked up their first draw in five games last weekend, WWLWD, Le Parisiens are left with 28 points after 9W, 1D, & 1L. PSG enters into this contest of ninety minutes with a healthy goal average of 2.18 goals per game, having scored 24 goals in 11 Ligue 1 games. The Paris-based side has conceded 10 goals (0.91 g.c.p.g.) and has a goal difference of +14. Mauricio Pochettino will be without a few key players for this important fixture against Lille when he lines up the attacking 4—3—3 or 4—2—3—1 formation. Sergio Ramos is getting closer to the return but remains a major doubt for this Friday’s fixture against Lille. Leandro Paredes (thigh injury) is ruled out alongside Marco Verratti (hip injury), while Achraf Hakimi will serve his first of a two-match ban having picked up the red in the game against Marseille. According to several reports online, an unnamed PSG player was robbed in a car by a prostitute and was forced to obey orders in order to retrieve his possessions. The French outlet, Le Parisien, reports that the ugly incident occurred on Tuesday night close to the Bois de Boulogne public park at the west side of the capital.
Preview Lille Ligue 1, Oct 29, 2021
Preview Topsy-turvy Lille continues to swing between fine form and the other side of the divide, having picked up a draw after a loss, following three victories in a row: WWWLD. Last weekend, a 1-1 draw against Brest saw Lille pick up only one point and remain in 10th place. With 15 points after 4W, 3D, & 4L, Jocelyn Gourvennec will try to pick up three points over PSG, knowing a win against the star-studded side could signal a turnaround for Lille's title defense. Once again, Les Dogues could emerge with the unconventional 4—2—2—2 formation, leaving Burak Yilmaz and Jonathan David in attack.