PSG vs Paris FC – Match Preview and Team Updates

PSG will face their city rivals Paris FC at Parc des Princes on Sunday in a significant Ligue 1 match.

This is the first competitive game between the two clubs since 1978, making it a rare derby at this level, where newly promoted Paris FC aims to challenge the European champions.

PSG vs Paris FC – Match Preview and Team News

• Date: Sunday, 4th January.
• Kick-off: 7:45pm BST.
• Venue: Parc Des Princes, Paris.

PSG Team News

Paris Saint-Germain will miss several key players due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments and injuries. Matvey Safonov, Quentin Ndjantou, Lee Kang-In, Achraf Hakimi, and Ibrahim Mbaye will not be available.

Lucas Chevalier is expected to return in goal after recovering from an injury. Warren Zaire-Emery will take over as right-back in Hakimi’s absence, having performed well since Hakimi’s injury against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Marquinhos and Willian Pacho are set to lead the defense, although Marquinhos might be rested ahead of the Trophée des Champions final against Marseille next week, with Illia Zabarnyi as a possible substitute.

Manager Luis Enrique has a choice to make regarding the forward line. Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are fit and likely to start, while Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola will compete for a spot.

Paris FC Team News

Paris FC will be significantly affected by the absence of five key players due to AFCON, impacting their competitiveness. Samir Chergui, Ilan Kebbal, Jean-Philippe Krasso, Moses Simon, and Hamari Traoré are all out. Pierre-Yves Hamel and Pierre Lees-Melou are also doubts due to injury.

Germany’s Kevin Trapp is set to start in goal after reclaiming his position from young goalkeeper Obed Nkambadio.

The defense will see Moustapha Mbow and Otavio as central defenders, while Nhoa Sangui may play at right-back, a less familiar position for him. Thibault De Smet or Tuomas Ollila could fill the left-back spot.

In midfield, Adama Camara is likely to step into the holding role, with Vincent Marchetti and captain Maxime López expected to play key roles. Upfront, Willem Geubbels is a strong contender to lead the attack, but Jonathan Ikoné, who can play centrally or on the right, also poses a challenge. Alimami Gory may start on the left wing due to Moses Simon’s absence.

Form

PSG

After a short dip in form, Luis Enrique’s team has bounced back strongly, winning five of their last six league matches and gathering 15 points out of a possible 18. They recently achieved a convincing 4-0 win over Fontenay VF in the Coupe de France and secured a 2-1 penalty shootout win against Flamengo in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.

Paris FC

Paris FC enters this match struggling, having not won any of their last five Ligue 1 matches. They most recently suffered a 3-0 defeat to Toulouse, but their last game was a 3-0 win against Raon L Etape in the Coupe de France.

Predicted Lineups

PSG: Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.

Paris FC: Trapp; Sangui, Mbow, Otavio, Smet; Cafaro, Camara, Marchetti, Lopez, Ikone; Geubbels.

How to Watch PSG vs Paris FC?

Amazon Prime Video has exclusive broadcasting rights and will provide live coverage of this Ligue 1 match.

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