Paris Saint-Germain will look to build on their opening-day victory when they host Gazelec Ajaccio in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
Laurent Blanc's side head into the match as firm favourites to pick up three points against the Corsica-based club, who started their campaign with a goalless draw against Troyes last weekend.
PSG
© Getty Images
After a productive pre-season for the champions, Blanc watched his side face a stern test in their league opener before claiming a deserved 1-0 victory against Lille last Friday.
The free-flowing attacking football PSG's supporters are desperate to see was missing, but after losing Adrien Rabiot to a red card in the first half, the visitors displayed impressive resilience to collect all three points with a strike from Lucas Moura.
After frequent below-par performances put PSG on the back foot in the title race in the early stages of last season, it should have come as a boost for Blanc to see his side pick up the win while they were not at their best as the champions look to prove that the likes of Lyon and Monaco have a long way to go.
Attention quickly turned back to the transfer market following the opening weekend, and the latest rumours have seen PSG linked with Monaco full-back Layvin Kurzawa, who could be signed as a replacement for the Roma-bound Lucas Digne. However, the best news for the club arrived when Zlatan Ibrahimovic insisted that he will not be leaving this summer as reports continue to suggest he is a target for AC Milan.
A busy finish to the transfer window appears almost inevitable as PSG bid to improve their chances of a fourth successive title, but all eyes remain on the current squad and in particular Angel di Maria, who is still closing in on full fitness following his move from Manchester United.
Blanc and his players will be fully aware that anything other than a win will go down as a huge shock, and after battling to victory a week ago, the pressure will be on the hosts to find top form against the newly-promoted side.
Recent form: W
Gazelec Ajaccio
If securing promotion to Ligue 1 last season was considered a shock, Gazelec Ajaccio will cause one of the biggest surprises in the recent history of French football if they manage to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.
It was a positive start to their first campaign in the league as they held fellow newly-promoted side Troyes to a goalless draw last Saturday, and although tougher challenges lie ahead, the result came as a confidence boost after months of nervously waiting for the opening game.
In truth, it could have been an even better result had Mohamed Larbi not missed a penalty in the first half and Gazelec boss Thierry Laurey will be aware that his side must capitalise on every opportunity to pick up wins as they bid to find momentum early in the season.
Perhaps relief was the feeling in the dressing room when it was revealed that they would visit PSG so early in the season, and with no pressure on their shoulders, Laurey's side can afford to approach the match positively against the champions.
Praised for their attacking intent throughout their promotion campaign, Gazelec will have to remain disciplined for long spells of the game to shut down PSG's attack and it could come down to who displays the more clinical touch early in the match.
Recent form: D
Team News
© Getty Images
After watching his teammates from the stands last weekend, Di Maria is likely to be a spectator once again as he continues to play catch up with the rest of the squad after starting his pre-season preparations late.
The Argentine is expected to be in contention for Friday's trip to Montpellier, while Blanc will also be without Rabiot as he serves his one-game suspension.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to training earlier this week, but the knee injury he picked up in pre-season should give Edinson Cavani another opportunity to lead the line.
Gazelec could change their shape slightly for the trip to the champions, with Gregory Pujol in line to play as the lone striker ahead of Narbi.
PSG possible starting lineup:
Trapp, Van der Wiel, Silva, Luiz, Digne, Motta, Verratti, Matuidi, Lucas, Pastore, Cavano
Gazelec possible starting lineup:
Goda, Sylla, Coeff, Martinez, Djokovic, Le Moigne, Ducourtioux, Poggi, Larbi, Mayi, Pujol
Head To Head
PSG and Gazelec have met just once in a competitive match, with Mateja Kezman scoring twice before Sammy Traore secured a 3-0 victory for the Parisians in a Coupe de France clash back in January 2009.
We say: PSG 3-0 Gazelec Ajaccio
Gazelec are set to cause more than a few surprises this year as they bid to prove their doubters wrong, but this challenge looks like a step too far for Laurey's side. Despite being without Ibrahimovic and Di Maria, PSG should have more than enough in attack to record a comfortable win.
No Data Analysis info
