Prediction: Lyon vs PSG

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

With this season’s Coupe de France hanging in the balance on Saturday night, Lyon and PSG will meet at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Lyon

Starting with Lyon, while Les Gones might have opened the New Year in the midst of a public crisis, Pieree Sage’s men have come roaring back in a remarkable fashion. Signing off their Ligue 1 adventure with with a dramatic 2-1 victory at home against Strasbourg, the French high-flyers also managed to secure a shock Europa League ticket. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high heading into Sunday’s trip to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lyon are enjoying what has been a stunning purple patch. Opening May with an action-packed 4-3 win away at Lille, Sage’s side won all of their final four Ligue 1 appearances by an aggregate score of 10-6. Likewise, it should also be highlighted, the former Chambery boss has seen his squad win seven of their last eight domestic matchups across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to a 1-1 stalemate against Reims on March 30th.

Team News

Heading into Saturday’s showpiece event, Lyon have reported a clean bill of health and Les Gones have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to worry about here. Only notching a single Ligue 1 strike since arriving from Belgian outfit Gent during January’s transfer window, Nigerian youngster Gift Orban will have to settle for a spot on the bench this weekend.

Bagging a stunning brace against Strasbourg last week and recording 19 Ligue 1 strikes this season, former Arsenal marksmen Alexandre Lacazette will play a leading role at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Ex-Bayern Munich star Corentin Tolisso will once again partner Nemanja Matic at the heart of Lyon’s midfield.

PSG

As for PSG, while the French giants might be just 90 minutes away from completing another domestic sweep, Luis Enrique has found continued speculation over his long-term future. Once again missing out on the chance to get their hands on a maiden European trophy earlier in the month as they suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat against Borussia Dortmund, the former Barcelona boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Despite signing off the 2023/24 campaign with a routine 2-0 victory away at Metz last week, PSG have continued to show some worrying defensive issues. Slumping to an infamous 3-1 drumming against Toulouse on May 12th, the French champions have collected just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 11 consecutive outings. Despite being pencilled in as a standout contender here, Enrique’s men will be more than aware that they have a real challenge on their hands.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, PSG will once again be unable to call upon the trio of Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico and French international defender Lucas Hernandez on Saturday night. However, although Kylian Mbappe might have been dealing with a recent knock, Enrique’s side remain hopeful that their attacking icon will be able to make his final PSG appearance at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Handed a full rest away at Metz last week, 18-year-old sensation Warren Zaire-Emery should be handed a full recall here. Likewise, despite not starting any of PSG’s final three Ligue 1 appearances this season, Morocco international Achraf Hakimi should replace Nordi Mukiele at right-back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Lyon and PSG last met back on April 21st, the French champions collected a 4-1 romp at the Parc des Princes.
• However, PSG managed to muster just a pair of victories from any of their final six appearances across all competitions.
• Lyon won all of their final four Ligue 1 appearances by an aggregate score of 10-6.
• Likewise, Les Gones have won seven of their last eight domestic appearances across all competitions.
• Five of the previous seven meetings between Lyon and PSG have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While PSG might have stormed their way to a routine 4-1 victory when they welcomed Lyon to the French capital for their most recent showdown on April 21st, the Ligue 1 champions will be more than aware that they face a real challenge here. With Lyon storming their way to a famous Europa League ticket, Les Gones are riding an astonishing wave of momentum and they will be smelling the chance to make a heavyweight statement in Saturday’s showpiece event. However, with five of the previous seven meetings between Lyon and PSG finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet