It’s first vs surprise second in Ligue 1 on Sunday as Paris Saint-Germain travel to face shock contenders Lens.

The hosts, who finished seventh last season, have lost just once all season and sit tied with PSG for the best defence in Ligue 1 having shipped just ten goals across their 16 games.

There’s a seven-point gap between the two sides and PSG will hope to extend that to ten with a ninth consecutive victory in all competitions.

Here’s all you need to know about this one.

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Lens vs PSG H2H Results (Last Five Games)

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Current Form (Last Five Games)

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United Kingdom

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United States

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Canada

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Lens team news

Long-term absentees Jimmy Cabot and Wuilker Farinez are both out, and while David Costa and Adam Buksa are both closer to returns, neither will be ready for this one.

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Lens Starting XI (3-5-2): Samba; Medina, Danso, Gradit; Frankowski, Abdul Samed, Fofana, Onana, Machado; Sotoca, Openda
Bench: Leca, Fortes, Boura, Haidara, Le Cardinal, Poreba, Bonte, Lascary, Said

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PSG team news

PSG will have to do without Neymar after he was sent off last time out against Strasbourg, picking up a second yellow card for diving which will give him more time to celebrate New Year’s Day in Brazil.

There’ll be no Lionel Messi either, with the Argentine due back in Paris in the coming days after celebrating his World Cup victory.

Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes are both out, while Hugo Ekitike has been complaining of knee pain, and late calls will have to be made on both Renato Sanches and Juan Bernat as well.

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PSG Starting 11 (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Ramos, Mukiele; Vitinha, Verratti, Fabian; Soler; Mbappe, Sarabia
Bench: Navas, Rico, Bernat, Danilo, Bitshiabu, Zaire-Emery, Gharbi, Housni, Ekitike

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It may have to be the Kylian Mbappe show for PSG in the absence of both Messi and Neymar (there are far worse shows out there), and he’ll have a tough time up against the meanest defence in the division.

Lens are eight wins from eight at home but have obviously not faced anybody like PSG so far this season, and whether they’ll have enough about them to extend that winning run to nine games is up for debate.

PSG won’t be allowed to steamroll this, but given the quality in their ranks, Christophe Galtier’s side should edge it.

Prediction: Lens 0-1 PSG