Luis Enrique will be looking for a response from his Paris Saint-Germain side when they host Strasbourg in the Saturday night game in Ligue 1 this weekend.
The French champions relinquished top spot shortly before the international break, as Monaco pounced on PSG's inability to get past Nice.
Match preview
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A 1-1 draw away at the Allianz Riviera in the final Ligue 1 match before the international break saw PSG lose their grip on first place for the first time this season, and it could have been worse had it not been for a Moise Bombito own goal which saw the Parisians equalise in the second half.
An inability to keep tight defensively could end up being costly if Monaco's excellent start continues too, as the club from the principality have the joint-best defensive record so far, a department that PSG are currently lacking in.
Enrique has seen his side concede in 12 of their last 14 league outings, and losing the goals of Kylian Mbappe means that they cannot simply rely on outscoring their opposition any more.
After three games without a win on the road, PSG will be glad to be back on home soil here, but they will have to rectify those issues away from the Parc des Princes with Le Classique on the horizon next week away to a Marseille side also going well under Roberto De Zerbi.
The hosts have got the job done in front of the Parc des Princes faithful so far, though, as three points here will see them win their first four league games of a season for just the fourth time in the 21st century.
All the stats suggest the club from the capital will do so as well, as they have never lost a home league game against Strasbourg in 33 meetings - winning 26 - the most against any single opponent without losing.
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The Alsace club will be no pushovers, though, if they can replicate the performances they have showcased already this season.
Just one defeat from their opening seven games is the best by Strasbourg since 1995, when they also lost only once to begin the campaign, and it will give them belief that they can take a shot at Europe again, like they did in the 2022-23 season.
Last year was a struggle, as Strasbourg went from European hopefuls to relegation candidates, but sitting in the top seven currently suggests no such fears will exist this time around.
To truly challenge for the European places though, manager Liam Rosenior knows he must improve his team's away form, as no team has won fewer Ligue 1 games on the road in 2024 than Strasbourg's one.
It is not for the want of trying though, as Strasbourg have been rather unfortunate in their last two outings away from home, leading 3-1 in Lyon and 3-2 at Lille but ending up with just one point from the two games.
Team News
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PSG's entire starting XI from the draw with Nice were away on international duty, but some players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Warren Zaire-Emery and Joao Neves did not feature in the second of their respective nation's matches.
Defensive trio Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho may be slightly fatigued as they all had to travel back from South America following matches played in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Also at the back, Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe are currently sidelined, while Goncalo Ramos is unlikely to feature until 2025 due to an ankle injury.
Both Guela Doue and Ismael Doukoure are suspended for visitors Strasbourg after they picked up yellow cards in their draw with Lens last time out.
Rosenior will have to make do without as many as six first-team players for this trip to the capital because of injury, while it is unlikely Thomas Delaine will be fit to return in time either.
The player to look out for will be winger Sebastian Nanasi, who scored twice for Sweden against Estonia on Monday, and has already contributed to five goals in a Strasbourg shirt since making the move from Malmo over the summer.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Zaire-Emery; Marco Asensio, Kolo Muani, Barcola
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Sobol, Sow, Sylla, Diego Moreira; Lemarechal, Andrey Santos; Bakwa, Diarra, Nanasi; Emegha
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Strasbourg
Strasbourg have been one of the overachievers in the early weeks of the campaign, but their away form and record at PSG gives them little chance here.
PSG have never lost in 33 previous home clashes with their upcoming opponents, and they are set to maintain their 100% home record so far this season, having already won four from four here in all competitions.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
