PSG vs Lorient Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
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When is PSG vs Lorient on and what time does it start? PSG vs Lorient will take place on Saturday 12th May, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for PSG vs Lorient? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is PSG vs Lorient on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for PSG vs Lorient
Where can I stream PSG vs Lorient in the UK? If PSG vs Lorient is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
PSG
To say it’s been a turbulent summer at French champions PSG would be a serious understatement. After winning yet another Ligue 1 title, albeit by just a single point, significant upheaval has followed. Head coach Christophe Galtier is gone, replaced by former Barcelona and Spain boss Luis Enrique. Even more notably, big name players have either left or are on their way out. Lionel Messi has joined Inter Miami, Kylian Mbappe has one foot out the door and reports suggests that Neymar wants out as well.
Of course, the Parisians have made moves of their own to bring in more star names. Defender Lucas Hernandez has returned to his homeland, joining from Bayern Munich, Midfielder Manuel Ugarte comes in from Sporting Lisbon, whilst young Portuguese superstar striker Goncalo Ramos was signed from Benfica. Despite that, PSG are still yet to conclude their summer incomings with Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele on the verge of complete his own move to Paris, although it will come too soon for him to feature here.
LORIENT
Like PSG, Lorient will have a different head coach in the dugout come the opening match of the Ligue 1 season, having relieved Christophe Pelissier of his services back in June. Academy Director Regis Le Bris has since been promoted and will take Pelissier’s place. The 47-year-old is highly rated and was linked with the vacant manager’s job at English Championship side Leeds Utd before being given the top job at his current club.
After finishing the 2022-23 season in 10th-place, Lorient club president Loic Fery must be eying up an improved finish this campaign, potentially inside the European places. They couldn’t have been handed a tougher start, but will hope the recent turnover in personnel among the PSG squad will work in their favour with it possibly taking time for Enrique to really put his stamp on the team.
THE TEAM NEWS
PSG
It will be no surprise to anyone that striker Kylian Mbappe isn’t expected to feature as his future continues to be worked out in the days ahead, a saga which could rumble on right up to the transfer deadline. Neymar is doubtful with illness, but with reports that he also wants to leave the club, it is unlikely that the Brazilian will feature in the squad even if he was fully fit.
Two players who should make their PSG Ligue 1 debuts are Lucas Hernandez and Goncalo Ramos, whilst Manuel Ugarte could also feature from the start, although the Uruguayan has fierce competition among the PSG midfield. Former Real Madrid star Marco Asensio is expected to line-up on the left-hand-side of a front three made up of brand new signings, 22-year-old Kang-In Lee completing the trio.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Skriniar, Marquinhos, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Ruiz, Vitinha; Lee, Ramos, Asensio
UNAVAILABLE: Draxler (Injured), Kimpembe (Injured), Mendes (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Mukiele (Fitness), Neymar (Illness)
LORIENT
New signing Benjamin Mendy has not travelled with the squad to the French capital as the former Man City left-back continues to build up his fitness after a long period not playing football, with a back three likely to be deploy by Le Bris. Aymar Kari misses out through injury as does Igor Silva, whilst Quentin Boisgard also won’t feature.
Flexibility should be the name of the game for Lorient at the Parc des Princes and fielding three central defenders allows them to switch from a back three to a back five over the course of the game when required, so the two wide players Romain Faivre and Theo Le Bris will have plenty of ground to cover over the course of this match.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Mvogo; Laporte, Talbi, Meite; Kalulu, Makengo, Abergel, Le Goff; Faivre, Dieng, Le Bris
UNAVAILABLE: Mendy (Fitness), Silva (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Such a significant squad upheaval combined with a new head coach requires time to bed together and we may see the best of PSG immediately. However, they remain a formidable outfit with significant strength-in-depth which should ensure they still hit the ground running in terms of result. Lorient will spend plenty of time defending and will need to remain switched on all game to avoid a significant defeat. With the quality of PSG’s disposal, they are expected to eventually overwhelm the visiting backline and ultimately pick up the three points.
TIP: PSG TO WIN
