Paris Saint-Germain vs Lorient – Ligue 1: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction

Paris Saint-Germain will look to take the next step in retaining their Ligue 1 title when they host mid-table Lorient on Sunday.

2023 has been a year to forget for PSG so far, having suffered eight defeats in all competitions coupled with their annual premature exit from the Champions League. There’ll be no Coupe de France triumph either, but the Paris side do boast an eight-point lead at the top of Ligue 1.

A run of five games without a win has seen Lorient drop down to 11th in France’s top flight, having only been a point behind PSG in early October after a blistering start.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the fixture.

Marco Verratti managed to come off the bench in the win over Angers and may start in midfield for the first time since the 1-0 defeat to Lyon at the start of the month.

Aside from that change, the starting XI will likely be similar to the one that secured a third successive Ligue 1 victory. Neymar, Presnel Kimpembe and Nordi Mukiele won’t play again this season, though Renato Sanches and Nuno Mendes are expected to return before the season is out.

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(3-5-2): Donnarumma; Marquinhos, Ramos, Pereira; Hakimi, Ruiz, Verratti, Vitinha, Bernat; Messi, Mbappe.

(3-4-3): Mvogo; Meite, Talbi, Le Goff; Kalulu, Abergerl, Innocent, Yongwa; Faivre, Dieng, Le Fee.

This game sees the mercurial champions-elect face off against a side firmly entrenched in the middle of Ligue 1 despite a promising run of form before the World Cup.

PSG managed to come away from the reverse fixture with a 2-1 win in November, sealed by Danilo Pereira’s header, and have put together a run of three consecutive league wins to solidify their spot at the top of Ligue 1.

The hosts should have too much guile and power in Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe up front for Lorient to handle.

Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 Lorient