PSG vs Lorient Prediction: PSG to win

When Paris Saint-Germain hosts mid-table Lorient on Sunday, they will be looking to advance in their quest to defend their Ligue 1 championship. 

PSG has already had a forgettable year in 2023 thanks to their eight losses across all competitions and yearly Champions League elimination. Although the Paris team won't win the Coupe de France either, they do hold an eight-point advantage over the competition in Ligue 1. 

After a strong start that had them only a point behind PSG in early October, Lorient has dropped to 11th place in France's premier division after a run of five games without a victory. PSG  will likely win both halves. 

The match between champion-elect PSG and an almost-relegated Angers finished with the former capturing all the spoils, as many had predicted would happen from the start, but it was a very uncomfortable experience for the capital club.

By the 26th minute, Kylian Mbappe had already scored two goals, breaking the previous record for Ligue 1 goal contributions. However, Sada Thioub's 87th-minute consolation goal at the Stade Raymond Kopa set up a thrilling finish. The bottom-dwelling Angers would not stage a stunning comeback, though, and with Lens and Marseille both winning last weekend, 75-point PSG is eight points ahead of Les Olympiens at the top of the standings with only six games remaining.

Therefore, the home team is unable to clinch the title this weekend, but the capital club, which is currently riding a three-game winning streak in Ligue 1, should face few obstacles on the way to yet another domestic title in the coming weeks. However, that title will only barely help to cover the disappointment of yet another Champions League exit.

Marco Verratti was able to come off the bench during the victory over Angers and could make his first midfield start since the 1-0 loss to Lyon at the beginning of the month. The starting XI will likely be the same as the one that earned a third straight Ligue 1 victory aside from one adjustment. Although Renato Sanches and Nuno Mendes are anticipated to make a comeback before the season is over, Neymar, Presnel Kimpembe, and Nordi Mukiele won't play again this year.

Goalkeeper: Donnarumma; 

Defenders: Marquinhos, Ramos, Pereira; 

Midfielders: Hakimi, Ruiz, Verratti, Vitinha, Bernat; 

Strikers: Messi, Mbappe.

When Coupe de France champions Toulouse visited the Stade du Moustoir last weekend, Lorient's ugly losing streak had reached five games. Perhaps taking their foot off the accelerator as they meander toward the Ligue 1 finish line. A lone goal scored in the 68th minute was all that stood between the two closely matched teams on that particular day. Lorient suffered their third loss in as many games in the top division, although the away team is just competing for pride in the next few weeks.

Lorient had impressively made an early push for the European positions in the campaign's early stages, have subsequently endured an unsurprising decline to lie 11th in the league. Lorient is still mathematically closer to the European berths than the four-team relegation zone. 

The visitors, who have lost all seven of their away games since a 2-1 victory over whipping boys Angers on New Year's Day, are not in a hurry to get over the finish line and will merely try to keep the score respectable in Paris. However, a shocking victory at the Parc des Princes could confirm Lorient's top-flight status this weekend.

Regarding Lorient's injury, Le Bris has stated that Jean-Victor Makengo and Igor Silva will not be able to compete against the champions due to recent injuries (knee and thigh) they both sustained. While Julien Ponceau, who missed training earlier this week due to illness, should be able to travel, Theo Le Bris and Julien Laporte are keeping their teammate's company on the sidelines.

Gedeon Kalulu will be entrusted with keeping Mendes and Messi at bay at right-wing back in Silva's absence, while Bonke Innocent will be ready to step in if Ponceau is not quite 100 percent fit.

Goalkeeper: Mvogo; 

Defenders: Meite, Talbi, Le Goff; 

Midfielders: Kalulu, Abergerl, Innocent, Yongwa; 

Strikers: Faivre, Dieng, Le Fee.

The champions-elect will play against a team that is solidly established in the middle of Ligue 1 despite a strong run of success leading up to the World Cup. Pereira's header gave PSG a 2-1 victory in the reverse match in November, and they have since strung together a run of three straight league victories to firmly establish their position atop Ligue 1. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe should have too much cunning and strength up front for Lorient to manage for the hosts.

A win is expected for the home side and the home side will win both halves.