1st vs. 3rd in Ligue 1 — A Battle for the Top of the Table

So far this season, PSG haven’t had everything go their way in Ligue 1, unlike in previous years.

Dropped points in two of the team’s seven matches so far this season — including a defeat in Le Classique against Marseille — see PSG sitting at the top of the standings, but only just. What’s more, the club has been paying the price for its participation in the Club World Cup, with a string of injuries to key players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However, the last two of those names are set to return on Friday.

There are currently five teams within three points of PSG in the Ligue 1 rankings, and one of them — Strasbourg — will visit Paris on Friday to face the league leaders. A win for the visitors could temporarily send Strasbourg to the top of the table.

Strasbourg’s Rise and PSG’s Challenge Ahead

Strasbourg are one of the rising stars of Ligue 1, following a seventh-place finish last season and five wins from seven in the current campaign. Although a large section of the fanbase opposes the ownership model, much of the club’s recent success comes from sharing owners with Chelsea, with young Premier League talents gaining experience in France. The drawback is that players who perform well are often recalled, making Strasbourg’s roster one of the most fluid in the league.

Nevertheless, English coach Liam Rosenior has flourished in Alsace, managing an ever-changing squad and navigating occasional discontent from certain groups of supporters.

PSG, meanwhile, will aim to make the most of their home advantage at the Parc des Princes before embarking on a demanding run of three away matches: Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, followed by Ligue 1 fixtures against Brest and Lorient.

Friday, October 17 – 2:30 PM ET
PSG vs. Strasbourg — LIVE on beIN SPORTS