)
Who has recorded the most expected goals in the league this season? What stat puts PSG at risk against Lens? Find out 7 key numbers to know ahead of Ligue 1 Gameweek 31
The exciting top-of-the-table clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Lens headlines Gameweek 31 of Ligue 1, but many other teams and fixtures will enthral you and catch your attention.
Reims and Rennes will also serve up a mouth-watering tie during the weekend, while Nigeria’s Terem Moffi will be looking to continue his stunning form for Nice when they play against Brest.
With 10 Ligue 1 games to enjoy, here are some exciting numbers to help you anticipate the return of French league football.
0.64
With 0.64xG per 90 minutes, Lens’ Luis Openda has averaged the joint-highest expected goals per 90 minutes of any player in Ligue 1 this season.
Only Reims forward Folarin Balogun has averaged as many, with PSG’s Kylian Mbappe averaging 0.63xG per 90.
When the sides meet, PSG will need to be wary of Openda, who has already notched 15 league goals this season.
)
12:12 - 03.04.2023
LIGUE 1 Team of Week 29: Diomade stops Mbappe, Openda, Gomes, Borges sparkle
Following every round of Ligue 1 fixtures, Pulse Sports presents the most impressive performers of the matchday.
6
With six points separating PSG and Lens heading into gameweek 31, Les Parisiens will be feeling very confident about retaining the league title since no club has relinquished a lead this large at this stage of the season since the 1994/95 season of Ligue 1 when three points were awarded for a win.
Since then, only Auxerre in the 1995/96 season have wrestled the league title after being up to five points behind the league leaders at the 30th gameweek.
On that occasion, it was also PSG that was in the lead before faltering in the title race and finishing second.
7
Since the turn of the year, Reims remain the only team in Ligue 1 yet to concede double-digits in goals, with their 7 goals allowed in that period the lowest in the league in that period.
)
14:07 - 20.03.2023
LIGUE 1 Alexis Sanchez ends Reims' unbeaten run to headline team of the week
Alexis Sanchez and Corentin Tolisso were among the best players in Ligue 1 Gameweek 28
The only teams that come close to Will Still’s side are Nice who have conceded 11 goals in 14 games and Lens who have conceded 12.
7.7
With 7.7 prevented goals over the course of the season, Reims’ Yehvann Diouf has been the hero for his side more often than any other goalkeeper in the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season.
On average, Reims should have conceded at least seven more goals than they currently have but for Diouf’s expertise between the sticks.
His tally of prevented goals is only bettered by Liverpool’s Alisson and Union Berlin’s Frederik Ronnow in Europe’s top five leagues.
10
PSG vs Lens will be the 10th time this century that Ligue 1 leaders will play against the team in second place in the standings after 30 game weeks, representing the title run-in.
Of the nine games between 1st and 2nd after 30 games, the team in second place have secured victory more often with five wins, while the team that starts the day on top has won three times, with one match ending in a draw.
12.41
Since the start of the 2022//23 season, no player has carried the ball for longer distances per carry than Nantes’ Moses Simon, who has averaged 12.41 metres per carry.
Despite a below-par season by his standards, Simon still has some positives to hold on to as he tries to help Nantes stay clear of the relegation zone.
16
With one more goal, Strasbourg’s Senegalese forward Habib Diallo will reach 16 league goals this term and become the joint-highest goal scorer in a single Ligue 1 season for the club in the 21st century.
With Strasbourg facing Ajaccio who are five points and two places behind them in 19th place, Diallo could equal the record held by Ludovic Ajorque, which was set in the 2020/21 season when they finished 15th.
Related content
)
18:54 - 12.04.2023
PSG manager Galtier denies racism allegations
Christophe Galtier, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, angrily refuted Wednesday's allegations that he used racial remarks when serving as the Nice head coach.
)
07:48 - 09.04.2023
PSG boss explodes in rant against Nice fans after vulgar banner
Christophe Galtier was visibly irate with Nice fans after his former club's hostile reception
)
23:31 - 08.04.2023
Messi reaches new milestone in PSG win over Nice
Lionel Messi continues to prove that he is beyond special
)
22:09 - 08.04.2023
Brilliant Messi helps PSG to routine victory over Moffi's Nice
Messi was superb for PSG as they overcame Nice in a crucial Ligue 1 victory
)
19:50 - 07.04.2023
Terem Moffi hunts vulnerable PSG in Ligue 1 Gameweek 30
Terem Moffi and Nice will go up against PSG this weekend in Ligue 1 knowing it is a great chance get three points off them
)
15:59 - 07.04.2023
Kylian Mbappe clashes with PSG over promotional video
PSG's superstar refused to have his image used by the club to sell tickets
12:12 - 03.04.2023
LIGUE 1 Team of Week 29: Diomade stops Mbappe, Openda, Gomes, Borges sparkle
Following every round of Ligue 1 fixtures, Pulse Sports presents the most impressive performers of the matchday.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)