PSG Boss Luis Enrique Ready To Embrace Special Derby Against Paris FC

Paris Saint-Germain restart their season with a rare city derby against neighbours Paris FC at Parc des Princes on Sunday, with Luis Enrique’s side seeking momentum in Ligue 1, domestic cups and Europe

after a 15-day break and a comfortable 4-0 Coupe de France victory over Fontenay on 20 December.

PSG enter 2026 four points behind Ligue 1 leaders Lens, but hold a match in hand, and have already lifted the Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, while remaining active in the Champions League and Coupe de France, making this derby a key test of rhythm and sharpness after the winter pause.

Sunday’s meeting is the first top-flight clash between the two Paris clubs since 1978, when both league encounters ended in draws, and Luis Enrique will mark his 100th domestic match as PSG head coach, with 73 wins so far, a figure bettered in the club’s first 100 domestic games only by Thomas Tuchel, who recorded 78 victories.

PSG’s home form in Ligue 1 offers strong encouragement before facing promoted Paris FC; they have kept a clean sheet in six of seven league fixtures at Parc des Princes this season, matching the tally from their previous 30 home league matches, and are unbeaten in their last 38 home games against promoted sides, winning 34 and drawing four since a defeat against Montpellier in May 2010.

"After a break and some rest, it's important for the players' confidence to get back to winning ways quickly, he told reporters during his pre-match press conference. A derby is coming up, so we will be very motivated and it's always special.We are happy to be able to play this match. It's greatfor a city like Paris to have fixtures like this. These are always special matches. I'm very happy to be able to play a derby in Paris.It's funny to see that were facing a team whose stadium is so close to ours, thats a real peculiarity. We needed that rest, and we're back now after four training sessions. I'm very happy to have seen the players again and to see how sharp they are. It will be a great second half of the season. "

Just one day before the return of Paris Saint-Germain!#PSGPFC I @Ligue1_ENG pic.twitter.com/VUKDRzJHoNParis Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 3, 2026

Paris FC arrive with clear problems in attack, having failed to score in the last two Ligue 1 fixtures; the club last recorded three consecutive league matches without a goal in August 2023 in Ligue 2, so the visitors must lift their level against PSG’s strong defensive record, especially away from their usual surroundings.

Goncalo Ramos provides one of PSG’s main threats; the Portugal international has scored three goals across the club’s last two Ligue 1 matches and added a brace in the 4-0 Coupe de France win over Fontenay, so Ramos enters the derby in clinical form and will expect further chances against Paris FC’s defence.

Paris FC will look to Jonathan Ikone, who has not yet contributed a goal or assist in eight Ligue 1 appearances for the club, but the winger may feel extra motivation, as Ikone made a top-flight debut with PSG in October 2016, and now returns to Parc des Princes aiming to end the current run without a goal involvement.

"Every football club coach wants their team to improve, he added.But when I analyse what weve done this year, and since the start of the season, I'm very proud of my players. I'm very optimistic.I hope to have my full squad regularly available for this second half of the season. The league has always been a very clear objective for us. We have the ambition to win everything that can be won, as usual. Looking at the first half of the season, we had to deal with many injuries, and I must say Im proud of my players and what we've accomplished. Because despite the challenges, we are still here to win everything we aim to win. "

PSG vs Paris FC derby: prediction and OPTA probabilities

Analytical models strongly favour PSG, with the capital giants predicted to win and extend their positive run, while Paris FC’s recent scoring issues and PSG’s defensive stability at home support expectations of another clean sheet, as Luis Enrique’s side also chase ground on Lens in the title race.

Outcome	OPTA win probability
Paris Saint-Germain win	75.8%
Draw	15.4%
Paris FC win	8.8%

PSG are widely expected to take three points and maintain pressure on Lens, while Paris FC seek a rare upset in this first Ligue 1 derby between the clubs since 1978, with Luis Enrique targeting trophies on all fronts and viewing this match as an important step into the second half of the campaign.