PSG vs. Lens live score, updates, highlights from Ligue 1, Matchday 17

After a disappointing midweek 0-0 result at home, Paris Saint-Germain will not want to fuel the title hopes of any of its challengers by dropping more points when it faces Lens on the road. PSG has a comfortable 12-point lead in the Ligue 1 standings ahead of rival Marseille entering the 17th of 38 league matches.

Lens, currently in fifth place and 15 points behind PSG, was recently one of those challengers in second place before a 2W-3L-2D run that saw it fall in the standings. It still has aspirations of finishing in the top three. Second place would grant a berth into next season’s Champions League, while third place earns an opportunity to qualify for the Champions League group stage.

PSG, already without the injured Neymar (ankle), will rest Kylian Mbappe, who starts the match on the bench. Lionel Messi will lead the attack that will also feature fellow Argentine-born stars Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria.

WATCH: PSG vs. Lens live on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

Sporting News will follow the match live and provide score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Lens vs. PSG live score

Goals:

(All times Eastern)

Halftime: Lens 0, PSG 0

Halftime: Another tight match for Ligue 1 leaders PSG. Lens started strong and arguably deserved a goal for its efforts, and then the PSG front three eventually had their moments, including Lionel Messi striking the post. Goalkeepers Keylor Navas (PSG) and Jean-Louis Leka (Lens) have taken care of business so far. The best chance fell to Angel Di Maria in stoppage time, but he couldn’t put it away. On balance Lens has played the better game, but PSG showed it has the quality to come up with a goal at any moment.

46th min.: What a save by Jean-Louis Leka! That was the best chance of the game on the foot of Angel Di Maria. A fantastic cross by Hakimi to a wide-open Di Maria at the far post and his touch on goal is incredibly saved by a sprawling Leka.

37th min.: Mauro Icardi found inside the box and he gets a shot off in traffic which is saved for a corner. Without Kylian Mbappe, the PSG attack doesn’t seem as incisive. The Lens defenders are keeping everything in front of them.

31st min.: First it was a blast by Cheick Doucoure and then it was Gael Kakuta with a weak shot moments later. Lens is turning up the pressure once again.

24th min.: Excellent free kick by Lens right wingback Jonathan Clauss which bounces right in front of PSG ‘keeper Keylor Navas. Clauss seems up for this one.

22nd min.: Fofana fires at goal and it’s an easy save for Keylor Navas. The energy has died down some for Lens, which was sending plenty of numbers forward at the start of the match.

18th min.: Messi hits the post! He’s surrounded by Lens defenders, but he gets a shot off from a central position that nicks the outside of the right post. PSG is settling into the match.

8th min.: Lens is aggressive pushing forward and PSG is having to ride out the storm. On another quick transition, Seko Fofana finds Clauss for a blast that’s off target.

4th min.: Lens applying the pressure here and PSG complying with several giveaways early on. Gael Kakuta is on the right and former Chicago Fire winger Przemyslaw Frankowski is at left wingback.

1st min.: We’re off. Lens is donning a special black kit for the match against PSG.

2:25 p.m.: PSG center back Presnel Kimpembe plays his 200th match for the club, joining a group of 42 players.

Lens vs. PSG lineups

Lens makes three changes: Captain Yannick Cahuzac, forward Florian Sotoca and left center back Massadio Haidara all move to the bench with David Pereira Da Costa, Gael Kakuta and Facundo Medina getting the start at home.

Lens starting lineup (3-4-3, left to right): 16-Jean-Louis Leca-GK — 14-Facundo Medina, 4-Kevin Danso, 24-Jonathan Gradit — 29-Przemyslaw Frankowski, 8-Seko Fofana (capt), 28-Cheick Doucoure, 11-Jonathan Clauss — 20-David Pereira Da Costa, 15-Arnaud Kalimuendo, 10-Gael Kakuta

Lens subs (9): 1-Wilker Farinez-GK, 5-Christopher Wooh, 21-Massadio Haidara, 27-Charles Boli, 18-Yannick Cahuzac, 33-Jonathan Varane, 7-Florian Sotoca, 9-Ignatius Ganago, 2-Corentin Jean

Kylian Mbappe gets a break from center forward duties with Mauro Icardi getting a rare start between Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. Defender Thilo Kehrer is left out of the squad, while Sergio Ramos will be back in training on Sunday after extended rest following his season debut. Neymar, Julian Draxler and Ander Herrera are all out due to injury, though Herrera is expected back in training.

PSG starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 1-Keylor Navas-GK — 14-Juan Bernat, 3-Presnel Kimpembe, 5-Marquinhos (capt.), 2-Achraf Hakimi — 6-Marco Verratti, 15-Danilo, 8-Leandro Paredes — 30-Lionel Messi, 9-Mauro Icardi, 11-Angel Di Maria

PSG subs (9): 50-Giuanluigi Donnarumma-GK, 17-Colin Dagba, 22-Abdou Diallo, 25-Nuno Mendes, 28-Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe, 27-Idrissa Gueye, 12-Rafinha Alcantara, 18-Georginio Wijnaldum, 7-Kylian Mbappe

MORE: Updated Champions League group standings & schedule

How to watch Lens vs. PSG

The match will be carried by Ligue 1 rightsholder beIN Sports in both English and Spanish. Both those beIN Channels are available to be streamed via fuboTV, which offers new users a  free 7-day trial.

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