Paris Saint-Germain will look to continue their march in Ligue 1 on Wednesday evening when they travel to Stade du Moustoir to face Lorient.
At the halfway stage of the 2021/22 campaign, the Parisians are running away with the title with 45 points on board.
Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG are on a six-game unbeaten streak and will want to extend their brilliant run against Christophe Pelissier’s Lorient, who are currently embroiled in a relegation battle.
PSG Team News
Kylian Mbappe will miss Paris Saint-Germain’s last game of 2021 due to suspension having picked up a one-game ban after being booked three times in the last 10 Ligue 1 games.
⚽⚡ 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘
🆚 @FCLorient
🏆 Ligue 1
⌚ 21:00 CET
📲 #FCLPSG🔴🔵 #𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐙𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒 pic.twitter.com/l7Y1wvkG1H
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) December 22, 2021
Marco Verratti is also suspended, whereas both Juan Bernat and Julian Draxler are ruled out of the midweek fixture. Meanwhile, Neymar remains a long-term casualty for PSG.
Predicted PSG Lineup vs Lorient (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma has ousted Keylor Navas as PSG’s first-choice goalkeeper of late and is expected to start between the sticks against Lorient.
Defence
After returning from a persistent calf problem, Sergio Ramos had a solid 45-minute runout in PSG’s 3-0 win over SC Feignies in the French Cup over the weekend. However, a quick turnover means the experienced Spaniard is likely to start the game at Lorient on the bench.
Predicted PSG Lineup vs Lorient
Presnel Kimpembe will be recalled into the PSG lineup to partner the defensive rock, Marquinhos, at centre-back. Achraf Hakimi is a sure-shot starter at right-back, with Abdou Diallo likely to retain his spot at left-back from the French Cup game against SC Feignies.
Midfield
Marco Verratti’s suspension could pave the way for Georginio Wijnaldum to make a rare start in the PSG engine room.
Wijnaldum hasn’t enjoyed as much game time as he would have liked after joining the Parisians from Liverpool in the summer, thus, he will be keen to make a big impression at Lorient.
The Dutchman is expected to start in an advanced midfield role along with the combative Idrissa Gueye, with Danilo Pereira mopping things from his preferred No.6 position.
Attack
With Kylian Mbappe suspended and Neymar sidelined, Lionel Messi will take the centre-stage for PSG at Lorient. The mercurial Argentinean is yet to be at his sublime best since arriving at the Parc des Princes from Barcelona this summer but has got a chance to end the year on a high on Wednesday. He’s expected to start on the right, with Angel Di Maria set to replace Mbappe on the left flank.
Up top, Mauro Icardi will look to stake his claim against Lorient. The Argentinean striker has been in and out of the team due to various reasons but the final game of 2021 could offer him a great chance to impress Pochettino.
