Sunday’s Serie A action gets underway at the Stade du Moustoir as surprise package Lorient entertain reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Regis Le Bris’ men have gone from last season’s whipping boys into genuine top-four contenders in one of the most impressive transformations in recent Ligue 1 history.
Lorient finished the 2021/22 campaign only two points clear of the drop zone, but only a few months on, they are asking serious questions in the top-table race.
Yet after a sublime ten-game league start (W8, D1, L1), Les Merlus have seemingly run out of steam, going winless in their last three top-flight matches (D2, L1).
Level on points with third-placed Rennes, Lorient suffered a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Nice last weekend despite taking a half-time lead through headline performer Dango Ouattara.
A stern test of character is coming up next as runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG arrive at the Stade du Moustoir on the back of a 2-1 beating of Juventus in midweek Champions League action.
Despite finishing off an unbeaten Group H campaign on a high (W4, D2), Christophe Galtier’s side had to settle for a runner-up spot, courtesy of an inferior goal difference to group winners Benfica.
With an unfavourable knock-out draw waiting in the wings, Les Parisiens may want to solidify their place at the top of the Ligue 1 standings before the springtime European fixtures put the squeeze on them.
Tipped for a record-breaking 11th title in the French top flight, the Ligue 1 pacesetters sit five points clear of second-place Lens and look to be in firm control of domestic proceedings.
Match Preview
Lorient
Lorient may have yet to lose back-to-back league games this season, but PSG’s visit threatens to buck that trend, with the hosts going winless in ten of their last 11 home Ligue 1 H2Hs against the Paris outfit (D3, L7).
But after holding Les Parisiens winless in their last two top-flight encounters at the Stade du Moustoir (W1, D1), they’ll fancy their chances on Sunday.
Conceding first is never a good thing in football, yet Le Bris’ men thrive in such circumstances, having rescued a league joint-high eight points from losing positions this season.
Paris Saint-Germain
PSG have gone from strength to strength on their Ligue 1 travels since a 3-0 defeat at Monaco in March 2022, going unbeaten in their last 11 away league matches (W9, D2).
Galtier’s men were stunned by Benfica’s outrageous 6-1 home win over Maccabi Haifa when they thought they had a top-place Group H finish in the bag, but midweek Champions League action offered a positive note.
Napoli’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool on Tuesday left Paris as the only side in Europe’s five-big leagues yet to lose a single competitive game in 2022/23 (W15, D4).
Lorient vs Paris Saint-Germain Potential Line-ups
Lorient (4-1-4-1): Yvon Mvogo; Gedeon Kalulu, Montassar Talbi, Julien Laporte, Le Goff; Bonke Innocent; Dango Ouattara, Enzo Le Fee, Julien Ponceau, Theo Le Bris; Terem Moffi.
Paris Saint-Germain (3-4-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Hakimi, Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Marco Verratti, Carlos Soler; Lionel Messi; Kylian Mbappe, Neymar.
How to Watch?
Lorient vs PSG, coupled with all other Ligue 1 fixtures, is available to watch online via Ligue 1 live streams.
Lorient vs Paris Saint-Germain Prediction
After missing out on PSG’s trip to Juventus due to suspension, Neymar will return to action to complement Galtier’s standout ‘MNM’ trio at Lorient.
The Brazilian forward’s fresh legs could be what the doctor ordered for the visitors in their penultimate Ligue 1 fixture ahead of the World Cup break.
We expect PSG to benefit from Lorient’s dip in form and extend their winning league streak to four games.
Lorient 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain
