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PSG will host reigning Ligue 1 champions Lille at the Parc des Princes on Friday night.
Following a colourless display against Marseille, PSG have the opportunity to make amends by getting back to winning ways as they face Lille. Despite having a seven-point lead at the top of Ligue 1, PSG have not fared well in the league in recent weeks.
They have won just one of their last three Ligue 1 games and all their attacking wealth has simply not translated to excellent results on the pitch. Mauricio Pochettino's men won't want to drop points against Lille as that will give the chasing pack an opportunity to gain on them.
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PSG have quite a few injury concerns heading into this game. Without further ado, let's take a look at how they could line up against Lille on Friday.
Paris Saint Germain (PSG) possible starting lineup vs Marseille
Goalkeeper - Keylor Navas
Keylor Navas didn't have much to do against Marseille. However, he was well beaten by Arkadiusz Milik's finish which was then ruled out by VAR. He might just keep his place here in the lineup ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who might be starting to get a little frustrated here.
Right-back - Thilo Kehrer
With Achraf Hakimi being handed a one-match suspension after picking up a red card in the game against Marseille, Thilo Kehrer will get a rare start at right-back here. He is unlikely to offer much going forward and is likely to sit deep and help maintain some solidity at the back.
Centre-back - Marquinhos
Marquinhos afforded too much time for Milik to find the back of the net for Marseille, which was eventually chalked off as VAR intervened. He tidied up everything that came to him since then and Pochettino will ask for more of an assured performance from the captain against Lille.
Centre-back - Presnel Kimpembe
Presnel Kimpembe took some risks off the ball in the game against Marseille, diving to make blocks and making premature tackles. But he did have a couple of moments of brilliance as well which included an acrobatic clearance from a cross.
The Frenchman was neat in possession but will need to be more confident off it or he will need to make way for Sergio Ramos once the latter is cleared to play.
Left-back - Nuno Mendes
With Achraf Hakimi out, the onus of providing attacking thrust from the flanks for PSG will fall on Nuno Mendes. He impressed in parts against Marseille but also struggled against the constant threat posed by Cengiz Under.
Defensive midfielder - Idrissa Gueye
Idrissa Gueye started the game against Marseille on the bench. He came on after 45 minutes as Marco Verratti was withdrawn due to an injury. However, the Senegalese international struggled to impose himself.
But he can't be faulted since Achraf Hakimi was sent off in the 57th minute and Gueye had to play with his team a man light. With Danilo Pereira struggling in defensive midfield, Gueye is expected to be shipped right back into the starting lineup here against Lille.
On his day, the 32-year-old can be a tenacious presence in the center of the park and Pochettino will need him to be at his imposing best here.
Defensive midfielder - Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera did not feature against Marseille as Mauricio Pochettino opted to go for a two-man midfield. With Marco Verratti ruled out, Herrera will be brought back into the starting lineup.
After getting off to a good start to the season, Herrera's contributions have waned in recent weeks and he hasn't been very neat in possession either. This is a chance for the former Manchester United midfielder to make a mark and perhaps take a step towards cementing his place in PSG's starting lineup.
He has scored four goals and provided two assists in 14 appearances so far this term.
Central midfielder - Georginio Wijnaldum
Life at Paris Saint-Germain has so far turned out to be nothing like what Georginio Wijnaldum might have envisioned it to be when he made the switch in the summer. In Verratti's absence, the former Liverpool man might get a rare opportunity to start here.
The Dutchman has failed to make an impression so far this term and is yet to score a goal or provide an assist after 14 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit. He won't see many opportunities like this coming his way and will need to take this one by the scruff of its neck if he wants to play regularly.
Left winger - Neymar Jr.
Neymar hasn't been at his best this season so far. He is usually a very enterprising player with the ball at his feet and loves to dance past defenders and wreak havoc in the final third. However, he hasn't been up to his usual tricks and his form is starting to become a cause for concern for PSG.
Neymar has scored just a single goal in eight appearances so far this season and it came from the penalty spot against Lyon. He had a poor outing against Marseille with several of his touches not coming off and was very sloppy in possession.
The Brazilian international was replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum in the 83rd minute of the game. He needs to get his mojo back because the beautiful game needs players like Neymar to do their thing.
Right winger - Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria did try to influence proceedings a lot in the game against Marseille. The tricky customer he is, Marseille's players were found snapping at his heels on several occasions. He didn't do much wrong but couldn't make up for his underperforming peers either.
Di Maria is expected to be shifted out to the right side tonight with Pochettino likely to switch things up in the absence of Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti. The Argentine's versatility will help him fit right in and he will be required to do a lot of running at the Parc des Princes against Lille.
Centre-forward (False nine) - Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is yet to score a goal in Ligue 1 after making four appearances in the competition since joining in the summer. He turned in exceptional performances in the Champions League against Manchester City and RB Leipzig though.
Messi has reportedly been carrying a minor muscle injury and trained alone on Thursday. Pochettino said:
“After the match against Marseille, he trained normally. Today [Thursday], he had a muscle issue, he had an individual training session. We’ll see tomorrow if he can be ready [for the match].”
The Argentine international is likely to be deployed as a false nine in the absence of Kylian Mbappe. It is a position in which he thrives and Pochettino will be hoping that he can finally open his account in Ligue 1 tonight.
