PSG vs. Stade de Reims live score, updates, highlights as Messi returns to Ligue 1

Lionel Messi makes his long-awaited return to the PSG lineup on Sunday after finally recovering from his battle with COVID-19, but his teammate Kylian Mbappe might not be at the party as PSG hosts Stade de Reims at Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 play.

Mbappe, fresh off his advice from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to join Real Madrid this coming summer, has suffered a groin injury and is questionable to take part in the match.

PSG (first, 50 points) will look to recapture its best Ligue 1 form ahead of the Champions League knockout stage in mid-February. The French giants won their first eight league matches of the season in a row, and 13 of their first 15. They have drawn four of their last six. Mauricio Pochettino’s defense has also faltered of late, having conceded a goal in seven of their last nine, including two to 19th-placed Bordeaux and one each to 18th-placed Lorient and bottom-feeder Saint-Etienne.

MORE: When is Neymar expected back for PSG?

Getting all three of Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar on the field together this season has been a nightmare. Neymar has been out since late November with a bad ankle injury and isn’t expected back in training for another few weeks. Messi has been missing since contracting COVID-19 over the winter break in Argentina, and his recovery left him sidelined for “longer than I thought.” Mbappe to this point had avoided injury troubles this season.

Reims (14th, 24 points), meanwhile, has been solid since the start of December, with just two losses in that period. But a 1-0 defeat to 18th-placed Metz last time out feels like a rally killer. Still, this is a dangerous side that has beaten Lyon and drawn with second-placed Marseille this season, so the Red & Whites won’t back down.

Sporting News will follow the match live and provide score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

PSG vs. Reims live score

Goals:
None

(All times Eastern)

1:15 p.m.: PSG kits have names in Chinese to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

1:02 p.m.: RMS Sport reporting that both Kylian Mbappe and Sergio Ramos are fit to start in the match. Big boost for PSG and a bigger climb for Reims.

12:50 p.m.: PSG gets its final training session in before the Reims match.

12:45 p.m.: Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who spent years locked in a rivalry with Lionel Messi during his Barcelona days, has come out strong in support of the PSG star ahead of his return from COVID-19. It’s a strong statement of support for a former bitter rival.

PSG vs. Reims lineups

PSG is far from full strength as it continues to build towards Champions League play in mid-February. Messi is expected to spearhead the PSG attack from the start, finally back from his bout with COVID-19, but Mbappe‘s status is in question due to a groin problem picked up recently. Neymar isn’t expected to return to training from his ankle injury for another week or two, leaving the possibility that two of the three-headed monster could again be missing from action.

Abdou Diallo, Achraf Hakimi and Idrissa Gueye are all away on AFCON duty (and are performing well, which hopefully will translate back to good club form once they return). Juan Bernat remains out with after-effects of COVID-19 lingering, and Georginio Wijnaldum is also sidelined thanks to a recent ankle injury that will keep him out for at least two more weeks.

Goalkeeper Sergio Rico departed the club for Mallorca, despite making the bench last time out. Keylor Navas is fit to return from his one-match injury absence, meaning he could see the field as it’s past his turn in the goalkeeping platoon with Gianluigi Donnarumma. It’s a timely return for Navas, as Donnarumma has been shelved at the last minute with a calf problem.

PSG projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Navas (GK) — Kehrer, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Mendes – Herrera, Peredes, Verratti – Di Maria, Messi, Mbappe.

PSG subs (9): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)

For Reims, Ghislain Konan, Moussa Doumbia and El Bilal Toure are all on AFCON duty and have all qualified for the knockout stage, confirming their absences for some time longer. But Moreto Cassama‘s Guinea-Bissau was eliminated and, pending his travel schedule, could be back available for this match, albeit likely as a substitute for load management.

The mid-table side is extremely short on midfielders, thanks to injuries to Valon Berisha, Marshall Munetsi, Azor Matusiwa and Arber Zeneli. That means newly signed Jens Cajuste could make his second straight start, although he’ll hope it goes better than his debut, which saw him yanked by Oscar Garcia at the halftime break of the eventual loss to Metz.

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Hugo Ekitike is back from suspension and will likely get the start up top despite links to the Premier League. They will need his in-form services badly, as Reims has been shut out in each of its last four matches against PSG in all competitions, outscored 11-0.

Reims projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Rajkovic (GK) – Gravillon, Abdelhamid, Faes – Foket, Cajuste, Lopy, Locko – Kebbal, Adeline – Ekitike.

Reims subs (9): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)

How to watch PSG vs. Reims

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 23
• Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: BeIN Sports
• Streaming: FuboTV (free trial for new users), BeIN Sports Xtra (authentication required)

The PSG vs. Stade de Reims match is available on television on BeIN Sports, or streaming via BeIN Sports Xtra, which is available via FuboTV. New users can take advantage of a free trial with the service.

Arsenal-Liverpool betting lines, picks & prediction

Pick: PSG win & Both to Score (+185)

Prediction: PSG 3-1 Reims

• Moneyline: PSG -475 / Draw +600 / Reims +1300
• Spread: PSG -2 (+105) / Reims +2 (-120)
• O/U 3 total goals: Over -115 / Under +100
• Both teams to score: Yes +125 / No -160