Auxerre v. Paris: game time!

A LOOK AT THE TABLE

Following a decent start to the season, Auxerre have established themselves as one of the surprise packages of the current Ligue 1 campaign. Despite losing 2-0 away to Toulouse last weekend, the Burgundy-based outfit are continuing to impress on home turf thanks to their four straight wins (3-0 over Brest, 2-1 over Reims, 4-0 over Rennes and 1-0 over Angers) at the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps. Currently in eighth place, AJA have picked up no fewer than 15 points from their home games so far this season, making them the second-best team in this respect, behind only... Paris.

Talking of the capital club, Les Parisiens are currently riding the wave of their superb league form, with five wins from their last six domestic outings, including the 3-0 victories over Marseille and Toulouse as well as the 4-2 success away to another promoted side, Angers. Even though Les Rouge et Bleu were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Nantes last weekend, they still occupy top spot in the Ligue 1 standings, with a remarkable total of 33 points from 13 games.

THE TWO TEAMS' CURRENT FORM IN NUMBERS

THE OPPOSITION'S STRENGTHS

Christophe Pélissier mainly sets his side up in a 5-2-3 formation. In goal, former Brest man Donovan Léon has established himself as Auxerre's first-choice keeper, while in front of him, captain Jubal is naturally indispensable and will be expected to line up to the right of Ivory Coast U21 international Clément Akpa in central defence. In the right-sided centre-back position, though, there remains some uncertainty about who will start tomorrow's encounter. The most likely option appears to be Sinaly Diomandé, but the ex-Lyon defender will surely face competition from Nigeria international Gabriel Osho.

On the right wing, Ki-Jana Hoever seems to have the upper hand over teammate Paul Joly, meaning that the Wolves loanee will very probably be accompanied by Gideon Mensah on the opposite side of the back line, with the Ghana international visibly enjoying free rein in the left wing-back spot. In midfield, one man stands out: fellow Ghana international Elisha Owusu. Having revealed himself to be a key element of his side's early-season success, the defensive midfielder and Olympique Lyonnais academy product will be supported by either Rayan Raveloson or 20-year-old Kévin Danois, although the latter of the two appears to sit slightly higher in the AJA pecking order.

In attack for Friday night's hosts, a well-oiled trio has already proven itself so far in 2024–2025. On the right flank, another OL academy graduate, Gaëtan Perrin, is seen as a key player in the Auxerre starting XI, having notched up four goals and four assists in Ligue 1 this season. The no. 10 won't face any competition from Lasso Coulibaly, either, as the Ivorian is out for the rest of the campaign with injury. On the left wing, meanwhile, Hamed Junior Traoré is one of the French top flight's most exciting players right now; the Bournemouth loanee truly is his side's spearhead, with six goals and one assist to his name in 11 games.

Such strong performances from his wingers have therefore pushed Auxerre boss Pélissier to move Lassine Sinayoko into more of a centre-forward position, with the Mali international seeming to take the decision well, as he has already made five goal contributions this season, scoring two and assisting in three. To support him, AJA have several options available to them: Canada international Theo Bair, former Toulouse man Ado Onaiwu or their very own Florian Ayé. All in all, then, Auxerre certainly won't be short of solutions tomorrow night, when they will be fully intent on making life difficult for Les Parisiens.