Now only one point away from confirming their status as Ligue 1 champions, Paris Saint-Germain will aim to finish the job with four games to spare against Lens on Saturday night at the Parc des Princes.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side eased to a 3-0 success against Angers in midweek, while Franck Haise’s men ran out 2-0 winners at home to Montpellier HSC.
In order to regain their rightful Ligue 1 crown on Wednesday night, PSG simply had to better Marseille’s result against Nantes, and Mauricio Pochettino’s men did their bit as Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Ramos and Marquinhos put a lacklustre Angers side to the sword.
For a short while, it appeared that PSG would be heading into gameweek 33 with the medals already around their necks, but Marseille came from behind to beat Nantes 3-2 and ensure that the title race would mathematically remain alive for just a little while longer.
With only five games left to play in the 2021-22 season, PSG boast a 15-point lead over their closest challengers at the top of the standings, meaning that a draw at home to Lens would be enough for Les Parisiens to be crowned French champions for the 10th time in their history.
Even if PSG do fail to clinch the crown this weekend, fixtures with Strasbourg, Metz, Troyes and Montpellier present the champions-elect with magnificent opportunities to do so, but Pochettino will no doubt want to wrap up the title as quickly as possible before an uncertain summer will befall him.
Victory over Angers represented a fourth Ligue 1 success on the bounce for this rampageous PSG side, who have also won each of their last eight league games at the Parc des Princes, and Lens will somehow attempt to spoil the title party in the capital to further their own continental ambitions.
As is the case with their title-chasing hosts, Lens have also strung a run of successive victories together in their bid to achieve their end-of-season goals, and a spot in the top five is certainly not out of the question for the 2019-20 Ligue 2 runners-up.
David Costa and Ignatius Ganago were both on target either side of the half-time whistle for Les Sang et Or in their midweek victory over Montpellier, with Haise’s side now three for three after previously sinking Lille and Nice in an eye-catching spate of results.As is the case with their title-chasing hosts, Lens have also strung a run of successive victories together in their bid to achieve their end-of-season goals, and a spot in the top five is certainly not out of the question for the 2019-20 Ligue 2 runners-up.
David Costa and Ignatius Ganago were both on target either side of the half-time whistle for Les Sang et Or in their midweek victory over Montpellier, with Haise’s side now three for three after previously sinking Lille and Nice in an eye-catching spate of results.
Still in outside contention for a spot in the Europa Conference League, Europa League or even the Champions League, Lens sit seventh in the table at the time of writing and are only three points behind Monaco, Strasbourg and Rennes – the former of whom they will face on the final day of the season.
A fascinating battle for third place has already begun and is set to go right down to the wire, but Lens have typified inconsistency on the road this term – taking 21 points from 48 on offer away from home and winning just three Ligue 1 games on rival turf since October.
Haise’s side did manage to halt the PSG momentum by holding Pochettino’s side to a 1-1 draw at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis earlier this term, but Les Parisiens have not lost at home to Saturday’s visitors since 2006, and the home crowd will be eagerly anticipating a title party come the full-time whistle this weekend.
Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form:
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Lens Ligue 1 form:
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We say: Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Lens
There are no two ways about it – PSG will be crowned 2021-22 champions sooner rather than later, and Pochettino’s players would probably choose to celebrate it in front of their own supporters than at the Stade Raymond Kopa.
The hosts’ injuries and Lens’ recent hot streak makes this a slightly more interesting proposition than it would initially appear on paper, but PSG have been near flawless at home this term and will not settle for the one point needed to secure the title – the celebrations ought to begin after a professional win in the capital.