MX23RW : Monday, March 10 22:38:18| >> :60:2388:2388:
[monks data]
PSG logo
Ligue 1
Mar 7, 2015 at 4pm UK
 
Lens logo

4-1

Luiz (43'), Ibrahimovic (60' pen.), Matuidi (80'), Pastore (83')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Touzghar (69')

Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Lens

Sports Mole previews PSG's Ligue 1 home clash with relegation-threatened Lens as Laurent Blanc's side warm up for their Champions League showdown with Chelsea.

Paris Saint-Germain warm up for their Champions League showdown with Chelsea by hosting Lens in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

It is second versus second-from-bottom at the Parc des Princes as PSG, unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions, take on a Lens side who are winless in eight.

This would be the perfect opportunity for PSG manager Laurent Blanc to rest players ahead of their trip to London on Wednesday, but injuries and the risk of slipping up in the title race may force him to go with a strong team.

With the scores locked at 1-1 from the first leg in Paris two weeks ago, the French champions may have to become the first side to win at Stamford Bridge this season to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Blanc may be thankful then that it is the less-threatening opposition of Lens, rather than Monaco, who await his side this weekend.

PSG recorded their 11th Ligue 1 draw of the campaign against the principality outfit on Monday, to cut the gap on league leaders Lyon to a single point, before beating them 2-0 to reach the last four of the Coupe de France.

Salvatore Sirigu should replace Nicolas Douchez in the only expected change to the Parisians' cup side, although Maxwell could also return in defence to give one of their Brazilians a rest ahead of the Chelsea clash.

Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is likely to be given the day off as he manages the heel problem that has hampered his season. Yohan Cabaye, Thiago Motta and Lucas Moura are all missing for both of PSG's matches this week.

Lens have picked up just three draws in eight games since the resumption of the French season after the winter break and have fallen nine points adrift of safety in their battle to avoid relegation straight back to the second tier.

Manager Antoine Kombouare could make just the one change to the side that went down 1-0 to Rennes last weekend, with Alharbi El Jadeyaoui pushing for a start in midfield at the expense of Wylan Cyprien.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Jerome Le Moigne, both of whom were sent off as Lens lost the eventful reverse fixture 3-1 in October, could join him in the centre of the park as the visitors seek a first win over PSG since 2006.

PSG:

Form in Ligue 1: WWDDWD
Form in all competitions: WDDWDW

Possible starting lineup: Sirigu; Digne, Silva, Marquinhos, Maxwell; Rabiot, Matuidi, Verratti; Pastore, Lavezzi, Cavani

Lens:

Form in Ligue 1: DDDLLL

Possible starting lineup: Riou; Kantari, Landre, Baal, Gbamin; Le Moigne, Valdivia, El Jadeyaoui; Touzghar, Chavarria, Guillaume

Sports Mole says: 1-0


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Joe Fish
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Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani celebrates a goal against Lyon on September 21, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG25205070244665
2Marseille25154652302249
3Nice25137549301946
4MonacoMonaco25135749321744
5Lille25128540271344
6Lyon25126746311542
7StrasbourgStrasbourg2511773932740
8Lens2510693029136
9Brest25113113840-236
10Toulouse259793227534
11Auxerre2587103638-231
12Rennes2592143536-129
13Angers2576122640-1427
14NantesNantes2559112843-1524
15Reims2557132640-1422
16Le HavreLe Havre2563162451-2721
17Saint-EtienneSt Etienne2555152557-3220
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier2543182159-3815


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