Prediction: PSG vs Lyon

Prediction: PSG win

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: 888sport

It’s been a long season for many clubs across Europe, but in France, they’ve only just started playing friendlies again after the actual domestic campaign was called off. Therefore, we’re only just arriving at the Coupe de la Ligue final which will take place tomorrow night. Paris Saint-Germain may have one eye on the resumption of the UEFA Champions League, but they’ll still want to add another trophy to their collection when they lock horns with Lyon on Friday evening.

PSG

It seemed as if PSG’s European hopes were starting to crumble when they lost the first leg of their UCL tie against Borussia Dortmund back in February, but after battering Lyon 5-1 in their French Cup semi-final, they fought back in style with a 2-0 second leg win over the German giants to ensure they progressed into the quarters. Their next game came four months later as they destroyed Le Havre 9-0, prior to a 4-0 friendly win over Celtic and a French Cup final success against Saint-Etienne.

Team News

The biggest absence of all is Mbappe who is out through injury, whereas Kehrer is also out after suffering with a hip problem that forced him off in the French Cup final. Bernat is back in full training and should feature.

Lyon

Lyon are also keeping a close eye on the UEFA Champions League after they surprised a lot of people with their 1-0 win over Juventus in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie. They were then humbled by PSG in the French Cup, with another game not presenting itself for another four months due to COVID-19. When they did return they beat Nice 1-0, lost to Rangers and edged out Celtic before an entertaining 3-2 triumph over Gent.

Team News

The expectation is that this could be quite an experimental looking Lyon side based on what they’ve been producing during pre-season. Tete is a doubt due to an injury setback, whereas Kone is all but certainly out for the final. Elsewhere, Melvin Bard has been tipped to feature following a strong pre-season.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting, PSG beat Lyon 5-1.
• PSG beat Le Mans, Saint-Etienne and Reims to reach the final.
• Lyon beat Toulouse, Brest and Lille to reach the final.
• PSG’s last game was the French Cup final less than a week ago, which they won.
• Lyon’s last game was a friendly against Gent on July 22nd, which they won.

Conclusion

It’s nice to think that there can be some kind of underdog story that emerges from this game, but when push comes to shove, the fact of the matter is this: Paris Saint-Germain are just a far better team. We think they’ll continue to roll through every single team in French football for a good few years, and that includes Lyon in this final. It’ll be close through the first 15 or 20 minutes, but the favourites will eventually start to pull away in the second half.

Prediction: PSG win

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: 888sport