This Friday, January 16th, Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) faces Lille (4th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 pm, CET) for Matchday 18 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. And as before every match, here’s a preview of PSG’s opponent.
Lille’s Situation –
After years of fluctuating fortunes, marked by excellent results, internal tensions, and coaching changes, Lille seems to be stabilizing somewhat. At least, Bruno Génésio, who arrived in June 2024, is not expected to leave. And he has built something promising.
This is largely thanks to a summer transfer window that appears to have been quite successful. There were some significant departures that could have raised some concerns, but Lille is already showing strong cohesion, their playing style remains, and their potential is evident.
There have been some rather frustrating lapses, particularly due to a sometimes shaky defense. Even though the start of the season has been quite good in the league, sitting in 4th place in Ligue 1, their record in the Europa League (3 wins and 3 losses) has left them in a disappointing 20th place. As for the Coupe de France, they suffered (as with PSG) elimination in the Round of 32. That was against Lyon.
Summer Transfer Window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt
Departures:
Arrivals:
Winter Transfer Window 2025/2026 –
Source: Transfermarkt
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season, Lille boasts the third-best attack in Ligue 1 with 33 goals scored (PSG leads with 37, Auxerre trails with 14), and is among the seventh-best defenses with 22 goals conceded (Lens has the best defense with 13 goals conceded, Metz trails with 38).
Lille’s top scorer is Hakon Arnar Haraldsson (22-year-old attacking midfielder), who, with 5 goals, is 12th in the league (Mason Greenwood leads Ligue 1 with 11 goals). Felix Correia (24-year-old forward) is the club’s top assist provider, with 4 assists, ranking 10th in Ligue 1 (Adrien Thomasson leads with 6 assists).
Lille’s last 5 matches –
Only Lille’s possession is shown, and Lille’s shots are listed first (when data is available).
December 11, 2025 (Europa League) – Young Boys (down to 10 men in the 92nd minute, 1-0) / Lille (down to 10 men in the 32nd minute, 0-0) – 1-0. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 55% possession. 7 shots, 1 on target, compared to 11 shots (4 on target).
December 14, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Auxerre (down to 10 men in the 60th minute, 1-1, then down to 9 men in the 88th minute, 3-4) / Lille (down to 10 men in the 39th minute, 0-1, then down to 9 men in the 88th minute, 3-4): 3-4. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 53% possession. 7 shots, 5 on target, compared to 17 shots (10 on target).
December 20, 2025 (French Cup) – Lusitanos/Lille: 0-1. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 14 shots, 5 on target, compared to 7 shots (3 on target).
January 3, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Lille (down to 10 men in the 14th minute, 0-0)/Rennes: 0-2. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 43% possession. 11 shots, 3 on target, compared to 14 shots (3 on target).
11/01/2026 (French Cup) – Lille/OL – 1-2. In a 4-2-3-1 formation. 59% possession. 7 shots, 1 on target, against 12 shots (6 on target).
The squad:
Unavailable players – André, Gomes, Touré, Verdonk (injury), Igamane (AFCON), Fernando-Pardon (unknown).
The probable starting lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Giroud
Sahraoui – Haraldsson – E. Mbappé
Bentaleb – Bouaddi
Perraud – Alexsandro – Mandi – Meunier
Özer
Lille’s playing style.
Bruno Génésio’s LOSC likes to have the ball, ideally in the opposition’s half, and vary their attacks. Their desire to play a high line can even lead them to try and catch the offside trap to increase their pressing. And they have some excellent attacking options to launch counter-attacks.
Clearly, PSG will need to be alert and in good form to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Lille could also adapt by being more defensive, but then they will be vulnerable to counter-attacks. And it’s quite possible that Lille will prefer to stick to their usual tactics to disrupt PSG’s build-up play.
We’ve also noticed a recent tendency to pick up red cards. Perhaps due to nerves during a busy season? In any case, further sanctions could quickly frustrate the Lille players.
