Paris Saint-Germain will aim to win three on the trot when they take on RC Lens at Parc des Princes on Sunday.

The Parc des Princes plays host to a clash of contrasting ambitions on Sunday evening, as reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain welcome RC Lens in the fourth round of the Ligue 1 season. While PSG are targeting a fourth straight victory to maintain their flawless start, Lens arrive in Paris determined to end a miserable recent run against the capital giants.

Luis Enrique’s men have started their title defence in emphatic fashion. After back-to-back 1-0 wins over Stade Rennais and FC Metz, PSG produced a staggering attacking display in their last outing, dismantling Toulouse 6-3 away from home.

The scoreline flattered the hosts, as the contest was effectively over before the hour mark, with PSG leading 5-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Joao Neves and further strikes from Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele. Two late concessions slightly soured the evening, but the champions remain perfect with three wins from three.

The international break, however, did not pass without concern. Ousmane Dembele and rising star Desire Doue both suffered injuries while on duty with their national teams, ruling them out of this weekend’s encounter. While the absences weaken PSG’s attacking depth, Enrique can still call upon the firepower of Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, supported by an experienced midfield and a sturdy defensive core.

RC Lens, meanwhile, approach the trip to Paris with a renewed sense of optimism. After a disappointing opening-day loss to Lyon, Pierre Sage’s men responded impressively with back-to-back wins, edging Le Havre 2-1 and overcoming Brest 3-1. Confidence is building in the squad, and they will view PSG’s injury issues as an opportunity to finally end a barren spell against the champions.

Lens have struggled badly in this fixture in recent years. They have lost each of the last five Ligue 1 meetings since defeating PSG 3-1 in January 2023, including three consecutive defeats at the Parc des Princes. More broadly, they have gone nine league visits to Paris without victory, with their last success coming in the mid-2000s.

That record is in stark contrast to the era when RC Lens once strung together five straight wins in the capital, underlining the shift in power at the top of French football. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Paris Saint-Germain

Luis Enrique faces several selection headaches going into this fixture. Ousmane Dembele is sidelined with a thigh problem, while Desire Doue is unavailable due to a calf injury. Both players have been heavily involved in PSG’s creative output so far, contributing a combined 15 chances created in the opening three rounds.

In addition, Fabian Ruiz is ruled out with a leg injury, and promising youngster Senny Mayulu is also unavailable. These absences reduce PSG’s options in midfield and attack, forcing Enrique to lean on his squad depth.

Despite these setbacks, PSG can still rely on their in-form stars against RC Lens. Joao Neves enters the fourth round as the team’s top scorer, though it is unlikely that the midfielder will finish the season at the top of that chart. In the absence of Dembele and Doue, Bradley Barcola is expected to assume greater attacking responsibility. The 23-year-old has already created six key passes this campaign and will be central to PSG’s chance creation.

Enrique is set to stick with his 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximise PSG’s width and pressing intensity. In goal, Lucas Chevalier will retain his place as the first-choice goalkeeper. The back four should feature Achraf Hakimi at right-back, with Marquinhos partnering Willian Pacho in central defence and Nuno Mendes providing energy and attacking thrust from left-back.

In midfield, the trio of Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Warren Zaire-Emery will provide a balance of creativity, ball progression, and defensive coverage. Neves, in particular, will be tasked with breaking lines and supporting attacks, while Zaire-Emery anchors transitions with his athleticism.

The forward line will see Bradley Barcola occupy the right wing, cutting inside to link play and create chances. Goncalo Ramos is expected to lead the line for PSG as the central striker against RC Lens, offering movement in the box and hold-up play. On the left, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia provides flair and unpredictability, looking to exploit spaces and stretch the Lens defence.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Barcola, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia

RC Lens

Pierre Sage heads into this crucial clash with a largely fit squad, though there are a couple of notable absentees. Jhoanner Chavez will sit out due to an ankle injury, while new signing Odsonne Edouard, who recently arrived from Crystal Palace, is also unavailable and will not feature in Paris. These setbacks slightly reduce Lens’ attacking options but otherwise leave the squad in good condition.

While Lens have found goals through Wesley Said and Rayan Fofana this season, both players have been guilty of wastefulness in front of goal, missing four and three big chances respectively. Against PSG’s relentless defence, such profligacy could prove costly, and the forwards will need to be far more clinical if they are to cause an upset at the Parc des Princes.

Sage is expected to line his side up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, which provides defensive solidity while allowing Lens to transition quickly through midfield. In goal, Robin Risser will continue as the last line of defence. The back three should consist of Jonathan Gradit on the right, Malang Sarr in the centre, and Matthieu Udol on the left, forming a compact unit designed to absorb PSG’s attacking pressure.

The wing-back roles are crucial in this setup. Ruben Aguilar is likely to operate on the right flank, while Deiver Machado will patrol the left, both tasked with offering width going forward while tracking back to provide defensive cover. In central midfield, Mamadou Sangare will partner Adrien Thomasson, a combination that blends ball-winning ability with forward passing to connect defence and attack.

Just behind the striker, the creative burden will fall on Florian Thauvin and Wesley Said, both of whom will be tasked with linking midfield to attack and exploiting spaces left by PSG’s high defensive line. Leading the line will be Rayan Fofana, whose movement and strength will be vital in unsettling Marquinhos and Pacho at the heart of PSG’s defence against RC Lens.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Risser; Gradit, Sarr, Udol; Aguilar, Sangare, Thomasson, Machado; Thauvin, Said; Fofana

Key Stats

• Paris Saint-Germain have won each of their last five Ligue 1 matches against RC Lens, marking their best run of results in this fixture. That streak equals the number of wins PSG managed in the previous 13 encounters combined (D6 L2).

• At home, PSG are unbeaten in their last nine Ligue 1 matches against Lens at the Parc des Princes (W6 D3) since losing there in 2005.

• PSG are currently the highest-scoring team in Europe’s top five leagues in 2025, with 127 goals across all competitions, alongside 37 victories.

• The Parisians have scored in each of their last 34 home Ligue 1 matches. If they find the net against Lens, they will equal their all-time top-flight record of scoring in 35 consecutive home league games, a feat previously achieved between January 2013 and December 2014.

• Lens have put together back-to-back Ligue 1 wins (2-1 vs Le Havre, 3-1 vs Brest) after opening the season with a defeat. However, they have not won three league matches in a row since January-February 2024, when they beat Le Havre, Nantes, and Strasbourg consecutively.

Player to Watch

Bradley Barcola

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With Paris Saint-Germain missing both Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue through injury, much of the creative responsibility now shifts onto the shoulders of Bradley Barcola. The 23-year-old winger has already impressed this season with his pace, dribbling ability, and vision, creating six key chances in the opening three gameweeks.

Barcola is at his most dangerous when isolating defenders in 1v1 situations, using his quick feet to break lines and open space for teammates. Against a Lens side that will likely defend in numbers, his ability to stretch the pitch on the right flank could prove decisive in breaking down their back three.

Luis Enrique will look to Barcola not only as a creator but also as a direct goal threat. With Kylian Mbappe and Rasmus Hojlund attracting defensive attention, Barcola may find opportunities to exploit gaps and make decisive contributions in the final third. This match presents a chance for him to step out of the shadows and underline his growing importance to PSG’s attack.

Prediction

Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 RC Lens

Lens will arrive in Paris with momentum and belief, but overcoming PSG at the Parc des Princes remains one of the toughest assignments in French football. Even with injuries to key attackers, the champions boast the depth and experience to maintain their dominance. Expect a competitive opening, but PSG’s firepower should prove decisive once again.