In a testing start to the new campaign, Paris Saint-Germain are on the road to face another domestic heavyweight. Having finished third in the top flight last season, Lille return to the Champions League this campaign. In Ligue 1, Les Dogues are determined to challenge for a top-three finish once again, and the northern side have already shown their quality by securing a 2–0 away win at Angers on Matchday 1.
For their part, Paris Saint-Germain took on Rennes last week. Although the Breton side gave Luis Enrique’s men a tough time, the latter still managed to secure a well-deserved two-all draw at Roazhon Park. On their trip to Lille, Les Rouge et Bleu will be looking to secure their first league win of the season.
1 – Paris Saint-Germain have lost just one of their last 15 Ligue 1 matches played away to Lille, recording nine wins and five draws over that period.
17 – Paris and Lille have each conceded just 17 goals in Ligue 1 in 2026, at least four fewer than any other team over the entire period.
33 – The capital club have scored 33 goals in 10 Ligue 1 matches against Lille since the start of the 2021-22 season, at least 7 more than against any other team over the entire period (26 against Brest).
In goal, Lille's new manager Davide Ancelotti will once again rely on Berke Özer. The Turkey international has established himself since last season as one of the league’s best goalkeepers, and he will be protected in front of him by the centre-back pairing of Nathan Ngoy and Alexsandro. The Belgium international is now one of the standout performers in the northern side’s starting XI, whilst the Brazil international has regained his place in the starting line-up and is likely to be preferred to the young Isaac Cossier (19), whilst former Paris Saint-Germain player Tanguy Nianzou could make his return to the squad and face his former club.
At full-back, the Italian manager also appears to have decided on a first-choice pairing. On the right, Tiago Santos is back to his best. The Portuguese full-back is once again the undisputed starter in his position, despite the arrival of Loun Srdanovic from Servette FC. On the left flank, Romain Perraud is expected to be the Lille coaching staff’s first choice, leaving Calvin Verdonk on the bench. In midfield, the northerners can count on a significant return: that of their captain, Benjamin André. At the age of 36, he remains one of the cornerstones of the Lille team, alongside Nabil Bentaleb.
The Algerian international, who has just extended his contract with the club where he came through the ranks, has made a strong impression at the start of the season and should be preferred to Ngal'ayel Mukau. Meanwhile, Ayyoub Bouaddi has just left the club. As for Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, the Icelandic international is expected to start in the playmaker role he relishes. His main task will be to supply Olivier Giroud, who is expected to lead the line. With Hamza Igamane out injured, and given that Matias Fernandez-Pardo’s transfer away from Lille cannot be ruled out, it is the France international who could start as centre-forward.
On the wings, however, Lille’s plans seem less clear. Gaëtan Perrin, who is also used in central midfield, could compete with former Parisian Ethan Mbappé for the right-wing position, though it was the latter who started last week. On the opposite flank, there are plenty of options: from Osame Sahraoui to Félix Correia, not forgetting new signing Başar Önal. The Turkey U21 international got the nod against SCO, but there is no indication that he will be the one selected again against the Parisians. Finally, the young players Noah Edjouma (20) and Soriba Diaoune (19) could be included in the squad, although it is unlikely that they will take to the pitch at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
