The lowdown on Paris - Lorient

a little history...

This is the 38th official meeting between Lorient and Paris Saint-Germain. The Parisians  have been largely dominant with a record of 22 wins, 6 draws and 9 defeats in their favour.
Lorient have won 5 times at the Parc des Princes but remain on a run of 5 consecutive league defeats in Paris (2013-2014: 0-4, 2014-2015: 1-3, 2015-2016: 1-3, 2016-2017: 0-5, 2020-2021: 0-2).

It was also against the Merlus that Paris Saint-Germain played the first match of the QSI era, with a 0-1 defeat at Parc des Princes on 6 August 2011.

On 26 September 1970, more than 51 years ago, Paris Saint-Germain drew with Lorient at the Stade Yves-Allainmat (0-0) on the fifth match day of the French national championship, group Centre (ex. Ligue 2). FC Lorient is, along with Stade Brestois, the oldest of Paris Saint-Germain's 19 Ligue 1 opponents this season.

9 players have worn the shirts of both clubs: Fabrice Abriel, Grégory Bourillon, Louis Cardiet, Fabrice Fiorèse, Kevin Gameiro, Ludovic Giuly, Christophe Jallet, Patrice Loko and Stéphane Pédron.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with 8 goals, is the highest Paris Saint-Germain goalscorer against Lorient. He is ahead of Pedro Miguel Pauleta (4 goals). The Swedish striker is also the only Parisian player to have scored a hat-trick against the Merlus at the Parc des Princes on 20 March 2015 (3-1 victory for the Parisians).

The stakes...

The Parisians are 12 points clear in Ligue 1 and could take another step towards the title if they beat the Merlus with eight games remaining in the season.
The Parisian club remains the only team this season unbeaten at home in Ligue 1. The Parisians have been unbeaten five times in the league at the Parc des Princes, in the 1985-1986, 1993-1994, 2014-2015, 2016-2017 and 2018-2019 seasons.

Such a record at the Parc des Princes after 14 matches played (13 wins and one draw) has only happened three times in the history of the Rouge et Bleu: in 1985-1986 (13 wins and one draw) then in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 (14 wins).

The keys to the match...

Paris Saint Germain will be able to count on Kylian Mbappé, who has scored ten times in the last nine games at the Parc des Princes. The Parisian striker has already scored 14 goals at home this season in official matches, including three doubles.

Lorient have managed to resist the number 7 of the Red and Blue up to now, with no goals scored in open play. Mbappé has scored from the penalty spot against the Merlus, in 180 minutes played.

Captain Marquinhos should continue his run in Ligue 1: the Brazilian defender has played in all of Paris Saint-Germain's last 15 league games.