End to PSG injury woes top of Luis Enrique's Christmas list

All Luis Enrique wants for Christmas is for Paris Saint-Germain to finally receive a clean bill of health, as they prepare to sign off for Ligue 1's winter break on Saturday.

PSG travel to the Stade Saint Symphorien to take on bottom club Metz in their final league game of 2025, with a Coupe de France tie against fifth-tier Vendee Fontenay Foot their only other fixture before the new year.

A local derby against Paris FC follows on January 4, and Luis Enrique hopes to have all his key players available by the time of that game.

PSG were without key attackers Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue for Wednesday's goalless Champions League draw with Athletic Club.

Lucas Chevalier, Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Beraldo also missed out, while captain Marquinhos went off at half-time with an adductor strain and will not return before Christmas.

Speaking at Friday's pre-match press conference, Luis Enrique said a fully-fit squad was top of his list.

"I hope that after Christmas, we will have time to get the players back, so the team can face the most important part of the season," he said. "That's my hope."

On Friday, a medical update released by the club confirmed Dembele was back in training after missing PSG's midweek trip to the Basque Country due to flu symptoms. 

The Ballon d'Or winner has endured a stop-start 2025-26 season, only starting five games in all competitions since the end of the Club World Cup.

Dembele's 12 appearances have totalled just 487 minutes, though he has scored three goals and provided three assists in that limited gametime.

"It's a shame for him and the team. We couldn't see Ousmane in his normal condition during the first four months of the season," Luis Enrique added. 

"We try to manage it and it's my responsibility to manage it in the best possible way. He was sick in the last few days, he has resumed on an individual basis, he has to start his recovery. We have to be careful."

While PSG are second in the table ahead of matchday 16, one point adrift of Lens, Metz are bottom with just 11 points on the board.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Metz – Jonathan Fischer

Metz goalkeeper Fischer has faced six penalties in Ligue 1 this season, more than any other goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues.

He has only saved one of those, and according to Opta's expected goals on target (xGoT) model, he has prevented 1.2 goals in league play this season. He may have to be on top form here.

Paris Saint-Germain – Lee Kang-in

Lee scored PSG's most recent goal against Metz, on May 19, 2024, and he has been involved in three goals in two top-flight appearances against them (one goal, two assists).

That represents his best record against any Ligue 1 opponent, and the South Korea international has been heavily involved lately, starting each of PSG's last four league games.

MATCH PREDICTION – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN WIN

Metz have lost each of their last 14 Ligue 1 matches against PSG and could become only the second team to lose 15 consecutive matches against the same opponent in Ligue 1 history, following Angers against PSG (17 – ongoing since 2016).

However, PSG have failed to win two of their last three away games against newly promoted sides in Ligue 1 (two draws), after winning their previous eight such matches.

But the Parisiens have failed to win their final Ligue 1 game of a calendar year in just one of the last 10 years (1-1 v Lorient in 2021), and they should be confident of victory on Saturday.

Metz have lost 10 of their first 15 Ligue 1 matches in 2025-26 (three wins, two draws). Over the last four seasons, Le Havre (2024-25) are the only side to have avoided relegation having suffered at least 10 defeats at this stage of a Ligue 1 campaign (11 – finished 15th).

Metz have failed to score in four of their seven home Ligue 1 games this season, which is twice as many times as they failed to do so in Ligue 1 last campaign.

They have found things difficult on their return to the top flight and are big outsiders for this game.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Metz – 11.9%

Paris Saint-Germain – 71.8%

Draw – 16.3%