Ligue 1 2025-2026: Lens-PSG, the likely lineups.
PSG one step closer to winning a new French league title. The Parisians could clinch it on Wednesday night at the field of Lens, a real big match in transalpine soccer as far as this year is concerned since it pits first and second in the standings against each other: the leader only needs not to lose to clinch the title. The match, valid for the 29th day of Ligue 1 even though it will be the 33rd match of the season for the two rivals in the French league, will see its kickoff at 9 p.m.
In fact, it is worth mentioning that this challenge is actually a rematch: Ligue 1 had granted the postponement of the big match at the request of the Parisian club, which was engaged in the Champions League doubleheader against Liverpool. Lens had vigorously opposed it, including through an official statement, but the league had nevertheless given Luis Enrique’s team the go-ahead, setting precisely the make-up date at today’s May 13.
The standings situation is now crystallized: PSG leads with 73 points, while Lens trails at 67. The Parisians, fresh from their victory against Brest last Sunday that brought the gap to six points, know that all they need is a point to mathematically get their hands on the 14th French title in their history, the fifth consecutive one. Even in the event of a tied finish, the Parisians would in fact have the title in the bag: the first ranking criterion is the overall goal difference, which sees PSG at +43 against Lens’s +29.
For Lens, on the other hand, it is a matter of defending a second place that would still remain an extraordinary achievement considering the value of the team and the technical gap with Luis Enrique’s battleship. The title dream has now faded, but Pierre Sage’s “Sang et Or” want to end the season in the best possible way in front of their own public.
PSPG comes to this challenge in an extraordinary moment of form, also fresh from qualifying for the Champions League final: the Parisians eliminated Bayern Munich in the semifinals, drawing 1-1 in Munich after the sensational 5-4 first leg at the Parc des Princes. On May 30 in Budapest, they will face Arsenal to contend for the European title, with the Gunners indicated by many observers as favorites.
Lens coach Pierre Sage has to deal with several heavy absences: in addition to the disqualified, the team will have to renounce Saint-Maximin, Gurtner, Gradit and Thauvin, all of whom are out with injuries. A situation that further complicates the hosts’ plans on an evening when, however, the pride and warmth of the Estadio Bollaert-Delelelis crowd could make the difference.
The likely lineups
Lens (3-4-2-1): Risser; Baidoo, Sarr, Gainoo; Udol, Sima, Sangaré, Thomasson; Fofana, Said; Edouard. All. Sage.
PSG (4-3-3): Safonov; Mayulu, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, Hernandez; Neves, Vitinha, Dro; Doué, Dembelé, Kvaratskhelia. All. Luis Enrique.
