Ligue 1 action in 2023 will kick off with a very intriguing clash as two of the league’s top sides go head to head. PSG travel to Lens looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to 10 points.
Bookmaker 10bet has the odds at 1.80 for PSG to score at least once in the first half and at 1.90 for the visitors not to score in the opening 45 minutes.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 31st, 8:00 P.M. (EST)
Lens are the closest challengers to the Parisians, but as the league table shows, PSG have full control over the proceedings and it’s going it’s to be very difficult to deny them of another title. Beating the second-best side in the league would be a big step toward it. However, PSG will have to do it this time without the services of Lionel Messi, who isn’t yet ready to play following Argentina’s World Cup triumph, and Neymar, who is suspended for the match.
Neymar returned from the World Cup with an assist in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Strasbourg, but he also picked up two silly yellow cards and was sent off. It was an awful ending to a special night during which Neymar became the first player this season in the top five leagues to hit double figures in both goals and assists.
Lens returned from the break with a 0-0 draw against Nice. The result put an end to the team’s five-game winning streak in the league. It’s been a very impressive season so far by Lens as they are on track to qualify for the Champions League just three years after earning promotion back to the top flight.
The side from Northern France shares the league’s best defensive record with PSG and manager Franck Haise also has a productive frontline at his disposal. Lois Openda and Florian Sotoca have combined for 18 goal involvements this season in Ligue 1 and will hope to do some damage again on Sunday.
Lens were frustrated by Nice and saw a nice streak end at five games, but the team still has an incredible run going on at home with wins recorded from each of their eight games played at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Dating back to last season, Lens are unbeaten in 13 straight home outings and Paris definitely can’t afford any complacency on Sunday if they want to get three more points on the board.
PSG tend to run into difficulties every time they meet Lens. In fact, since Lens were promoted back to Ligue 1, the Parisians have won just one of four head-to-head clashes. Both meetings last season ended in 1-1 draws and the series also includes a 1-0 Lens win.
