Two days before the Paris derby between PSG and Paris FC, scheduled for Sunday at 8:45 PM CET (Matchday 17 of Ligue 1), the first lineup trends are beginning to emerge. On the PSG side, Luis Enrique is expected to field a very competitive XI to kick off 2026.
This match carries strong symbolic weight: it will be the first Ligue 1 derby between the two Paris clubs since December 1978.
PSG: A Strong XI Despite Several Absences
Luis Enrique will have to cope with several absences. Achraf Hakimi and Ibrahim Mbaye remain unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations, while Matvey Safonov, Lee Kang-in, and Quentin Ndjantou are still sidelined through injury.
With Safonov unavailable, Lucas Chevalier is expected to return to the starting lineup more than a month after his injury suffered in Monaco on November 29.
In defense, PSG should line up with:
- Warren Zaïre-Emery at right-back
- Marquinhos and Willian Pacho in central defense
- Nuno Mendes at left-back
Midfield appears settled, with the trio João Neves – Vitinha – Fabián Ruiz all fit and expected to start.
One Question Mark in Attack
In attack, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé are fully fit and should both start. The main uncertainty lies on the left wing, where Luis Enrique must choose between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola. Both featured against Flamengo on December 17 before being rested in the Coupe de France match against Fontenay.
Possible PSG lineup vs Paris FC:
Chevalier – Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes – Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz – Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia (or Barcola)
Paris FC: Heavy AFCON Impact
Paris FC, currently 14th in Ligue 1, will also be significantly weakened. Head coach Stéphane Gilli must deal with the absence of five regular starters due to AFCON:
- Samir Chergui (Algeria)
- Ilan Kebbal (Algeria)
- Jean-Philippe Krasso (Ivory Coast)
- Moses Simon (Nigeria)
- Hamari Traoré (Mali)
Midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou remains highly doubtful after a tibia injury sustained in late November, while Sofiane Alakouch and Pierre-Yves Hamel are still recovering and will miss the match.
Goalkeeper Decision and Ikoné’s Return
One of the key decisions for Paris FC concerns the goalkeeper position. Kevin Trapp, former PSG keeper, has started the last two league matches ahead of Obed Nkambadio, who reclaimed his spot in the Coupe de France on December 20. Gilli will need to decide once again.
Former PSG winger Jonathan Ikoné, fresh off a Coupe de France hat-trick before the break, is expected to start against his former club — likely on the right wing. Paris FC are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1 system. The club has not won a Ligue 1 match since November 1.
Possible Paris FC lineup vs PSG:
Trapp (or Nkambadio) – Sangui, Mbow, Otavio, De Smet (or Ollila) – Marchetti, Camara – Ikoné, M. Lopez, Cafaro – Geubbels
PSG will look to start 2026 strongly in a derby that promises intensity — even with key absentees on both sides.