Paris Saint-Germain head into the Coupe de la Ligue final with Lyon on Friday evening looking to wrap up a domestic treble for the 2019-20 campaign.

Meanwhile, Lyon must win the last-ever fixture in the competition to earn a place in next season's Europa League.

Match preview

PSG manager Thomas Tuchel pictured on October 1, 2019 © Reuters

After a 26-year existence, the Coupe de la Ligue will draw to a close later this week on the back of French football's decision-makers opting to reduce the domestic schedule.

Although that call was made before the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, it may only benefit a club like PSG whose priorities lie in three other competitions.

Nevertheless, the dominant side in the country will want to lift the trophy for the ninth time, adding to the Coupe de France crown that they earned with success over Saint-Etienne last week.

Despite being far from their best against opponents who played the majority of the fixture with 10 men, Thomas Tuchel witnessed his side claim a 1-0 win courtesy of Neymar's 14th-minute strike.

The victory came at a cost, however, as Kylian Mbappe sustained an ankle injury which will sideline him until the middle of August, subsequently ruling him out of the upcoming Champions League quarter-final with Atalanta BC.

While another piece of silverware is at stake, Tuchel will use this contest as a way of finding a solution for that match, aware that he ideally requires success in Europe to keep his job in the long term.

From Lyon's perspective, this game represents one of two opportunities to earn European football for the next campaign after only finishing in seventh position in Ligue 1.

Rudi Garcia's team were arguably the biggest losers when France's top flight was brought to an abrupt halt during the spring, and the situation has upped the stakes ahead of the new season.

Succumbing to PSG on Friday and failing to win the Champions League would likely leave the club in a position where they would have to make player sales to boost their financial position.

Les Gones have warmed up for this showdown with five friendly matches, the latest of which took place on July 24 as they defeated Antwerp by a 3-2 scoreline.

Paris Saint-Germain Coupe de la Ligue form form: WWW

Lyon Coupe de la Ligue form: WWD

Team News

With Mbappe not in contention, PSG boss Tuchel is expected to name Neymar and Mauro Icardi in a front two.

Colin Dagba will almost certainly replace the injured Thilo Kehrer at right-back, while Marco Verratti may be handed a start ahead of Leandro Paredes in midfield.

Potentially keen to hand competitive game time to players who missed out last week, Tuchel could also recall Pascal Kimpembe and Julian Draxler.

Garcia has taken the opportunity to try different tactics during Lyon's recent pre-season schedule.

However, a back three could be his preferred choice for this contest, with Moussa Dembele and Memphis Depay lining up in attack.

Prospect Melvin Bard is competing with Maxwel Cornet for a place on the left flank.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Navas; Dagba, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Bernat; Di Maria, Verratti, Gueye, Draxler; Neymar, Icardi

Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Denayer, Marcelo, Marcal; Rafael, Reine-Adelaide, Guimaraes, Aouar, Cornet; Dembele, Depay

We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Lyon

With a competitive match under their belt, we have to back PSG to prevail on Friday evening. Although Lyon will be motivated to secure European football, they may struggle to last the pace.