RC Lens vs PSG: Preview, prediction & how to watch
Luis Enrique's side is gearing up for a tough encounter in the Trophée des Champions against last season's runners-up, Les Sang et Or. Lens will be up for this game as they want to prove that they can compete against Les Parisiens this upcoming season. Last campaign, Luis Enrique's side did the double over them, beating them 2-0 in the league, home and away.
The victory in May at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis confirmed PSG as Ligue 1 champions for the 25/26 season. It was still a brilliant season in which Pierre Sage's side won the Coupe de France by defeating Nice 3-1 in the final. Sage has since left the Ligue 1 club to become the head coach of Crystal Palace following the resignation of Oliver Glasner.
Both sides have had a mixed pre-season. Lens have won two of their four preseason games, while PSG's sole victory in their three preseason games came on Wednesday against Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup. Despite this, neither coach will be concerned about preseason results, as some players are only now returning to training following their exploits at the World Cup.
Here is our preview of PSG's clash against Lens in the Trophee des Champions final on Sunday.
PSG vs Lens: Preview, prediction & lineups
When is the kick-off? Sunday, 16th August.
Where is it played? Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens.
What times is kick-off? 7:45 pm (UK), 2:45 pm (USA).
How to watch PSG vs Lens? beIN SPORTS (USA) , TBC (UK).
Paris Saint-Germain team news:
Luis Enrique will probably rotate his squad to give some players minutes ahead of the start of the season. Don't be surprised if Lucas Digne gets the nod ahead of Nuno Mendes and if Illia Zabarnyi starts ahead of club captain Marquinhos. It will be interesting to see whether Maghnes Akliouche will start as he didn't really feature for France at the World Cup. Furthermore, Spain international Ferran Torres has officially joined the club from Barcelona and could make his debut against Lens.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Safonov; Hakimi, Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Digne; Neves, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
RC Lens team news:
Dino Toppmoller has several injury issues ahead of Sunday's clash. Jhoanner Chavez (thigh), Nidal Celik (meniscus), Samson Baidoo (sore leg), and Jonathan Gradit (lower leg fracture) are on the treatment table. This will make a tough task on Sunday even tougher.
RC Lens possible starting lineup:
Risser; Antonio, Ganiou, Nawrocki; Abdulhamid, Bulatovic, Haidara, Hazard; Thauvin, Ivanovic; Edouard.
Prediction: PSG 1-2 Lens
This will be a difficult game for Les Parisiens, as some of their players wouldn't have had a proper preseason following their exploits at the World Cup. Lens will be eager to get one over Les Parisiens, as they lost to them twice last season.
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