PSG vs Paris FC: Preview, prediction & how to watch

Paris is set to face their city rivals in their first game of the new year.
Paris Saint-Germain FC v Flamengo - FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025: Final
Paris Saint-Germain FC v Flamengo - FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025: Final | Mohamed Farag - FIFA/GettyImages

PSG's first game of the year is a Ligue 1 derby against a side in Paris FC whose stadium is just 44 meters away from the Parc des Princes. This has made it one of the world's closest football stadium rivalries. They play this side again this month in the Coupe de France.

It is hard to believe this is the first capital city derby in 36 years. The French champions won their last game of 2025, which was a last 64 of Coupe de France tie against Vendée Fontenay. They had won the Intercontinental Cup final against Flamengo days before the cup tie against Vendee. PSG's city rivals had also won their last game of 2025 when they defeated US Raon-I'Etape 0-3 in the last 64 of the Coupe de France.

Paris FC's form has not been great in the league. They have lost three and drawn two of their last five games. The two games they drew were against Le Havre (away) and Auxerre (home). This has left them 14th in the table, five points ahead of 17th-placed Nantes. Regardless of how bad Paris FC's form is, Les Parisiens should not take their rivals for granted, as they have less to lose.

Here is our preview for PSG's 17th Ligue 1 game of the season against city rivals Paris FC.

PSG vs Paris FC: Preview, prediction & lineups:

When is the kick-off? Sunday, 4th January, 2026.

Where is it played? Parc des Princes.

What time is kick-off? 7:45 pm (UK) and 2:45 pm (USA).

Referee: Benoit Bastien

How to watch PSG vs Paris FC on TV? Amazon Prime PPV and Ligue 1+ (UK)

PSG team news

The French champions will be without Achraf Hakimi and Ibrahim Mbaye who are on international duty with Morocco and Senegal at the AFCON, while Lee Kang-In (thigh injury), Matvey Safonov (hand injury), and Quentin Ndjantou (hamstring) are dealing with different injuries.

Paris Saint-Germain's possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Barcola, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.

Paris FC team news

Paris FC will not have its strongest eleven for the derby on Sunday as they will be without Samir Chergui, Ilan Kebbal, Jean-Philippe Krasso, Moses Simon, and Hamari Traore due to AFCON while Pierre-Yves Hamel and Pierre Lees-Melou are unlikely to feature because of injury.

Paris FC possible starting lineup:

Nkambadio; Sangui, Mbow, Otavio, Smet; Cafaro, Camara, Marchetti, Lopez, Ikone; Geubbels.

Prediction: PSG 2-1 Paris FC

The European champions should have too much quality for their city rivals, who have been severely weakened by the AFCON. Despite the quality difference between the two Les Parisiens should not take anything for granted as derbies are great levellers.

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations