The Ligue 1 calendar for 2026 begins with a momentous occasion as Paris Saint-Germain hosts Paris FC at the Parc des Princes tonight, Sunday, January 4, 2026. This isn't just a battle for points; it is the first top-flight Parisian derby in 48 years, dating back to 1978.
While PSG is chasing the top spot in a fierce title race with Lens, the newly promoted Paris FC is fighting to establish its identity in the elite tier of French football.
Match Overview: Kick-off & Official Info
Competition: Ligue 1 (Matchday 17)
Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
Kick-off: 20:45 CET / 19:45 GMT / 22:45 EAT
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
Referee: Eric Wattellier
Broadcast: DAZN (France), beIN SPORTS (US/Global)
Form Guide: The Title Race vs. Survival
Paris Saint-Germain: The Pursuit of Lens
Luis Enrique’s side enters 2026 sitting in 2nd place, just one point behind league leaders Lens. PSG ended 2025 in spectacular fashion, winning five of their last six matches, including a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Metz. For Enrique, tonight marks a personal milestone: his 100th domestic match in charge of the club. PSG has been near-perfect at home this season, keeping six clean sheets in their seven league games at the Parc des Princes.
Paris FC: The Underdog’s Struggle
For Stéphane Gilli and his Paris FC squad, the return to the top flight has been a rollercoaster. They currently sit 14th, four points clear of the relegation zone. However, they are on a five-match winless run in Ligue 1 and have struggled for goals recently. They did find some rhythm during the winter break with a 3–0 win in the Coupe de France, and they will look to their former PSG goalkeeper, Kevin Trapp, to provide a heroic performance against his old club.
Team News & AFCON Absentees
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has heavily impacted both squads, forcing both managers to rethink their starting lineups.
PSG Team News
AFCON Duty: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) and young talent Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal) are away on international duty.
Injury Ward: Kang-In Lee (thigh), Quentin Ndjantou, and goalkeeper Matvey Safonov (hand) are sidelined.
Tactical Shift: With Hakimi out, Warren Zaïre-Emery is expected to fill in at right-back, a role he has mastered in high-pressure games this season.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Chevalier; Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Dembélé, Gonçalo Ramos, Barcola.
Paris FC Team News
AFCON Duty: The Bees are hit hard, missing Ilan Kebbal, Jean-Philippe Krasso, and Hamari Traoré.
Injury Ward: Sofiane Alakouch and Pierre-Yves Hamel are out.
The Return: Kevin Trapp will receive a warm welcome at the Parc but will be the busiest man on the pitch. Jonathan Ikoné also faces his former academy club.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Trapp; Sangui, Mbow, Otavio, Smet; Cafaro, Camara, Marchetti, Lopez, Ikoné; Geubbels.
Head-to-Head (H2H) & Key Stats
Historical Rarity: These sides have only met twice in top-flight history (1978/79), with both games ending in draws (2–2 and 1–1).
The 38-Game Record: PSG is unbeaten in their last 38 home matches against newly promoted sides (W34, D4).
Defensive Fortress: PSG has conceded only 3 goals at home all season.
Milestone: Luis Enrique looks to secure his 74th domestic win in 100 games, trailing only Thomas Tuchel's record (78 wins).
Tactical Analysis: The "City Rivalry" Energy
Luis Enrique has emphasized that "derbies are special," and the atmosphere in Paris has been electric all week. PSG will look to dominate possession through Vitinha and Joao Neves, utilizing the blistering pace of Bradley Barcola to exploit the flanks.
Paris FC’s best hope lies in a low-block defense and the counter-attacking speed of Willem Geubbels. If they can weather the initial 20-minute storm and capitalize on a PSG defense missing its primary right-back, they might cause a historic upset. However, the quality gap between the two squads remains significant.
Match Prediction
While the romanticism of a Paris derby suggests a close contest, PSG's home form and the need to keep pressure on Lens should see them through. Paris FC's lack of scoring depth, exacerbated by AFCON absences, makes an upset unlikely.
Final Score Prediction: PSG 3–0 Paris FC
