Ligue 1 Matchday 15 Preview: PSG Aims To Bounce Back As Le Havre Battles Paris FC

‎Matchday 15 of the Ligue 1 season promises drama at the top, middle, and bottom of the table.

‎The headline fixture sees Paris Saint-Germain welcome an in-form Rennes to the Parc des Princes, while Lyon travels to Lorient in pursuit of a European push.

‎PSG vs Rennes:

‎One of the league’s most in-form sides arrives in Paris this weekend, hoping to frustrate the reigning champions.

‎PSG head into the clash after a disappointing 1–0 defeat to Monaco, a result that dropped them to second in the standings and left them trailing Lens by a single point. It has been an unusually unpredictable season for the capital giants, who have already dropped points on five occasions and run the risk of falling further off the pace if they suffer another setback.

‎Despite their inconsistencies, PSG have maintained their stronghold at the Parc des Princes.

‎They have scored in every home league fixture since August 2023 and have kept five clean sheets in six home matches this season.

‎Their recent record against Rennes is also encouraging, having gone five consecutive meetings unbeaten, including a 3–1 victory in this exact fixture last campaign.

‎Rennes, however, arrives with renewed belief. What looked like a season spiraling toward disappointment has suddenly been transformed under Habib Beye.

‎The side from Brittany has strung together four successive victories, scoring freely and defending with discipline, conceding only twice during that run. They have not lost an away league match since being thrashed on Matchday 2 and now stand firmly in the conversation for Champions League football.

‎Their history in Paris offers mixed hope. Although Rennes have lost their last three competitive meetings with PSG, they have managed to take points in two of their previous three league visits to the Parc des Princes.

‎Team News and Lineups

‎PSG will be without Désiré Doué due to a hamstring strain, while Achraf Hakimi also misses out with an ankle issue. Renato Bellucci Marin and Nuno Mendes are doubtful.

‎Luis Enrique made five changes to the lineup that faced Monaco, bringing in Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernandez, Fabian Ruiz, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

‎Rennes expect to be without Seko Fofana, while Mahamadou Nagida is unlikely to feature as he prepares for AFCON duty. Valentin Rongier scored the winner against Metz, supported by a strong display from goalkeeper Brice Samba.

‎PSG’s predicted XI includes Chevalier in goal behind a defensive line of Zaire-Emery, Zabarnyi, Pacho, and Hernandez. Neves, Vitinha, and Mayulu anchor midfield, with Kang-in, Dembele, and Kvaratskhelia forming the attacking trio.

‎Rennes are expected to line up with Samba in goal, Aït Boudlal, Jacquet, and Brassier in defence, Frankowski and Merlin operating out wide, and Camara, Rongier, and Cissé filling midfield. Lepaul and Embolo are set to lead the attack.

‎Prediction: PSG 1–0 Rennes.

‎With the champions rarely suffering back-to-back defeats and needing a strong response, they may edge what is likely to be a tense and tightly contested match.

‎Lorient vs Lyon:

‎Sunday’s meeting between Lorient and Lyon brings together two teams rediscovering momentum after difficult spells.

‎Lyon enters the fixture fresh from a convincing 3–0 win over Nantes, a match that only broke open following Junior Mwanga’s red card late in the first half. That victory lifted Lyon into sixth place, level on points with Rennes and back in the European conversation.

‎Lyon’s revival extends beyond domestic competition. They recently demolished Maccabi Tel-Aviv 6–0 in the Europa League and drew with Auxerre, stretching their run of clean sheets to three consecutive matches.

‎The main concern for Paulo Fonseca’s side is their away form. They have managed only two victories from seven league matches on the road and have developed a habit of disciplinary lapses, collecting three red cards away from home this season.

‎Lorient, meanwhile, has endured a season of inconsistency but regained confidence with a deserved 3–1 home win over Nice last weekend. After falling behind early, Laurent Abergel equalised before Sambou Soumano’s brace completed the turnaround.

‎Their home form has been their lifeline all season, as they have collected almost all of their points at the Stade du Moustoir. Victories over Monaco and Rennes prove that they can trouble strong sides on their turf.

‎History, however, leans toward Lyon, who won 2–0 on their last visit and have lost only one of their previous eight Ligue 1 meetings with Lorient.

‎Team News and Lineups

‎Lyon suffered a setback with Tanner Tessmann picking up a thigh injury that will rule him out. Orel Mangala is also unavailable due to a hamstring issue.

‎Further absentees include Ruben Kluivert, Clinton Mata, Rachid Ghezzal, Ernest Nuamah, and Malick Fofana. Ainsley Maitland-Niles may be forced into a makeshift centre-back role.

‎Lorient also has injury concerns, with Bamo Meïté a doubt after limping off against Nice. Abdoulaye Faye remains sidelined, and the hosts continue to miss Panos Katseris, Bandiougou Fadiga, and Trevan Sanusi.

‎The predicted Lorient lineup features Mvogo in goal with Yongwa, Adjei, and Talbi forming the back three. Le Bris and Avom should operate as wing-backs, Abergel and Kouassi in midfield, and Makengo, Pagis, and Soumano in attack.

‎Lyon are expected to start Grief in goal, with Maitland-Niles, Niakhaté, and Tagliafico in defence. Hateboer, Morton, De Carvalho, and Abner will likely make up the midfield line, with Tolisso, Sulc, and Satriano leading the front three.

‎Prediction: Lorient 1–2 Lyon.

‎Both teams should find the net in this matchup, but Lyon’s recent improvement and attacking edge give them the slight advantage.

‎Le Havre vs Paris FC:

‎Separated by only a single point, Le Havre and Paris FC meet for the first time in Ligue 1 on Sunday in what promises to be a tense, closely contested affair.

‎Le Havre enters the match on a poor run, having suffered back-to-back defeats and failing to find rhythm in front of goal. They have scored in only one of their last four league games and have struggled to maintain consistency, particularly in the attacking third.

‎Despite their struggles, Le Havre have been solid at home, picking up points in five of their last six Ligue 1 matches at Stade Océane. Their previous home win came against Brest in late October, and they will be keen to avoid consecutive home losses for the first time in almost a year.

‎Paris FC arrive in a similar form, winless in their last three league fixtures. They have taken the lead in their last two outings but were unable to hold on, an issue that has cost them valuable points.

‎Their away form has been unreliable, with three losses in their last four matches on the road and a concerning tally of 15 away goals conceded.

‎While their defensive frailty remains a problem, Paris FC has enjoyed recent success in this matchup.

‎They are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Le Havre, including a 2–1 win at this stadium in 2021 when both clubs were competing in Ligue 2.

‎Team News and Lineups

‎Le Havre may be without Abdoulaye Touré, who is managing a knee issue, while Thomas Delaine is dealing with a foot problem and Andy Logbo remains a doubt. Manager Didier Digard made two changes between Matchday 13 and 14, introducing Fodé Doucouré and Godson Kyeremeh.

‎Paris FC is dealing with absences of its own. Nhoa Sangui is likely to miss out due to a hamstring strain, while Pierre Lees-Melou and Maxime Lopez remain doubtful.

‎Pierre-Yves Hamel is also unlikely to feature because of a calf injury. Ilan Kebbal remains their most consistent performer and converted his sixth goal of the season against Auxerre.

‎Le Havre is expected to start Diaw in goal, with Doucouré, Lloris, Nego, and Sangante forming the defensive line. Seko anchors midfield alongside Kechta, Ndiaye, and Zouaoui, with Mambimbi and Soumare leading the attack.

‎Paris FC should line up with Nkambadio in goal, Traoré, Mbow, Otavio, and De Smet across the back, Simon, Marchetti, Camara, and Kebbal in midfield, and the duo of Geubbels and Krasso up front.

‎Prediction: Le Havre 1–1 Paris FC.

‎With both teams lacking momentum and attacking fluency, another tight, low-scoring meeting appears likely.