Wounded in every sense - both the Lion and the Princes

Both reeling from disappointing European outings, Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain face off at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday in what promises to be the weekend’s standout Ligue 1 clash.

PSG were humbled by Bayern Munich in their latest Champions League match, while Lyon fell to Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday. The previous clash between European heavyweights PSG and an unstoppable Bayern side saw Luis Diaz exact revenge for last season’s Liverpool exit, scoring twice in the opening 32 minutes before being sent off. Joao Neves’ goal for PSG proved futile as Bayern secured a 2-1 victory at the Parc des Princes.

Diaz does it all: A brace and a red, but PSG fail to rise from dead

The reigning French and European champions not only saw their perfect Champions League record vanish but also face the risk of slipping in Ligue 1, where they currently lead by just two points over Marseille and Lens.

PSG retained their narrow advantage last weekend, scraping a 1-0 win over Nice thanks to a last-minute strike from substitute Goncalo Ramos. That result stretched their unbeaten run in the league to six matches, and PSG maintain the top road record in Ligue 1 with 11 points, their sole league defeat coming at the hands of arch-rivals Marseille.

Lyon, currently sixth, can close the gap to just a single point with a home win on Sunday. Recent form at the Groupama Stadium offers optimism, though their away record has been patchy, and they enter the clash on a three-match winless streak across competitions, including draws with Paris FC and Brest and a 2-0 loss to Real Betis in Europe.

Despite finding the net in each of their last six matches against PSG, Lyon have only won once in that span, with the capital side undefeated away since 2019 under Thomas Tuchel.

PSG’s task is further complicated by injuries to key stars. Ousmane Dembele left the Bayern game with a calf issue, while Achraf Hakimi suffered a sprained ankle following Diaz’s challenge. Both will miss several weeks, joining Desire Doue (hamstring) and Nuno Mendes (knee) on the sidelines. However, coach Luis Enrique will welcome back Illia Zabarnyi, returning from a Champions League suspension.

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Lyon, meanwhile, have been hit by disciplinary setbacks. Defender Abner and Hans Hateboer are serving domestic suspensions after red cards in recent matches. Ex-Arsenal full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles is expected to cover for Hateboer at right-back, with Nicolas Tagliafico on the opposite flank. Key attackers Ernest Nuamah (ACL) and Malick Fofana (ankle) are unavailable, while Orel Mangala will likely miss until December with a knee injury.

Sunday’s showdown promises high stakes: PSG aim to recover from European disappointment while protecting their Ligue 1 lead, and Lyon seek to capitalize at home and narrow the gap in a fixture rich with history and intensity.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 12

Friday

Paris - Rennes 0-1 (0-0)

/Embolo 81/

Saturday

Olympique Marseille - Brest 3-0 (2-0)

/Gomes 25, Greenwood 33, Aubameyang 81/

Le Havre - Nantes 0-1 (0-1)

/Abline 4/

Monaco - Lens 1-4 (1-3)

/Balogun 37 pen - Edouard 21, Said 40, 60, Sangare 45+3/

Sunday

17.00: (3.15) Lorient (3.35) Toulouse (2.45)

19.15: (2.55) Angers (3.10) Auxerre (2.95)

19.15: (3.60) Metz (3.50) Nice (2.15)

19.15: (2.85) Strasbourg (3.50) Lille (2.55)

22.45: (4.05) Olympique Lyon (3.90) PSG (1.90)

***odds are subject to change***