Lens lead Ligue 1 while awaiting PSG title push
RC Lens manager Pierre Sage is anticipating that the reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain will accelerate their efforts soon, as the unexpected frontrunners in Ligue 1 seek a ninth consecutive league victory to preserve their position at the summit.
With a match against third-placed Marseille this weekend on the horizon, Lens have held onto their narrow one point advantage in recent weeks, enhancing their prospects of securing a second French top division crown since 1998.
However, four successive wins for PSG have kept the Parisian outfit close behind, and manager Sage concedes that his side remain significant underdogs.
"In all modesty, we have to recognise that PSG form an exceptional squad," he stated.
"Once PSG increase their pace towards the end of the campaign, it is likely we will not catch sight of them again."
Earning a spot in the Champions League for just the second occasion since the 2002/03 campaign would still mark a strong season for Lens.
They hold a 10 point buffer over fourth placed Lyon in the race for direct entry into next seasons group stage.
Regardless of their ability to maintain a title bid, it has been a remarkable recovery for Lens this term under Sage, after failing to qualify for any European competition last year with Will Still in charge.
Marseille have lingered near the edges of the championship contest, much like much of the previous season, and currently trail Lens by eight points in third position.
Roberto De Zerbis team have endured costly defeats lately against Lille and struggling Nantes.
Their morale suffered another blow midweek with a 3 0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool at the Stade Velodrome, leaving their progression to the knockout rounds hanging by a thread.
Marseille aim to secure consecutive Ligue 1 triumphs for the first time since November, following a 5 2 win over Angers in their most recent outing.
"The true challenge lies in competing in 10 consecutive games at the level we showed against Angers," De Zerbi remarked after the Liverpool setback.
"We simply cannot sustain that. From the bench, I cannot predict if we will perform like the Angers side or the Nantes one."
PSG take the field on Friday away at Auxerre and could apply pressure on Lens by claiming the top spot with a win.
The European title holders have yet to reach full potential this season and continue to worry about securing a top eight position in the Champions League for automatic advancement to the round of 16, following a recent defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
PSG were also eliminated from the French Cup two weeks back by local opponents Paris FC.
Player to watch: Ibrahim Mbaye
The young winger, who celebrates his 18th birthday on Saturday, has returned to PSG after aiding Senegal in winning the Africa Cup of Nations title last weekend.
Mbaye, with 20 appearances for PSG already this season, played a notable role for the Lions of Teranga in Morocco and entered as a substitute in the second half during the thrilling extra time success against the hosts in the final.
Prior to departing for the AFCON, he contributed one goal and two assists in his final two matches for PSG, including his second international strike against Sudan in the round of 16, and he hopes to resume his form with the club.
Key stats
2: Each of PSG's two league losses this season occurred after Champions League fixtures.
7: Marseille have dropped seven of their 11 Ligue 1 encounters versus Lens since the northern clubs promotion in 2021.
5: Rennes have been defeated in all five of their recent Breton derbies against Lorient.
Fixtures (times GMT)
Friday
Auxerre v Paris Saint-Germain (1900)
Saturday
Rennes v Lorient (1600), Le Havre v Monaco (1800), Marseille v Lens (2005)
Sunday
Nantes v Nice (1400), Brest v Toulouse, Metz v Lyon, Paris FC v Angers (all 1615), Lille v Strasbourg (1945)