Salzburg-Paris: Get back on track

The Table

FC Red Bull Salzburg, currently 32nd in the standings, have had a difficult start to their European campaign. The former club of Sadio Mané and Erling Haaland opened with a heavy defeat in Prague (3-0) before losing twice at home to Brest (0-4) and Dinamo Zagreb (0-2). It was a trip to Rotterdam that gave the Austrians their first and only Champions League win of the season, a 3-1 victory over Feyenoord. Against Bayer Leverkusen last time out, it was a bridge too far for Salzburg, who fell heavily to the reigning German champions (5-0).

Paris Saint-Germain, for their part, have also failed to shine in recent European outings. Despite an initial 1-0 win over Girona at the Parc des Princes, Luis Enrique's side then fell to a solid Arsenal side (2-0) before drawing with PSV Eindhoven (1-1) and then losing to Atlético de Madrid in the dying seconds (1-2). Last time out, Luis Enrique's side did not disappoint, but still lost - by the narrowest of margins - away to Bayern Munich (1-0). With four points to their name, the Parisians are now 25th in the standings.

THE TWO TEAMS' CURRENT FORM IN NUMBERS

Opposition strengths

Pepijn Lijnders and his team mainly play in a 4-3-3 system. Alexander Schlager is expected to start in goal against the Parisians. The Austrian international is a welcome addition in the absence of regular starter and captain Janis Blaswich, who is injured. In central defence, Polish international Kamil Piatkowski is also expected to be absent, with German U21 international Hendry Blank likely to step in and partner Samson Baidoo. At right-back, the versatile Nicolás Capaldo could fill in, as Leandro Morgalla is absent and Amar Dedic is expected to turn out on the opposite flank.

Although used to playing on the right, Bosnian international Dedic, who has established himself as one of the Austrian side's key defenders, could also use his versatility to fill in for the injured Aleksa Terzic, although Mali international Daouda Guindo remains a plausible alternative. In midfield, Salzburg are still without the injured Maurits Kjaergaard, but Mamady Diambou and Bobby Clark are expected to start in the middle of the park, the latter having been recruited from Liverpool during the summer transfer window.

The duo are likely to play just in front of a face familiar to Ligue 1 fans: Lucas Gourna-Douath. A product of the AS Saint-Étienne youth system, the 21-year-old French U21 international is going from strength to strength in Austria, where he has become one of the top midfielders. However, he now faces competition from the promising Stefan Bajcetic, the Spanish U21 international having also arrived from Liverpool this summer (on loan). Finally, Danish international Mads Bidstrup could also make an appearance against Les Rouge et Bleu, adding another option to a relatively young but well-stocked midfield.

In attack, Mali international Dorgeles Nene (five goals and five assists in all competitions this season) is the favourite to start on the right wing. Indeed, the absence of the important Karim Konaté up front could prompt the FCS staff to line up young Moussa Yeo (20, four goals and four assists) at centre-forward. There's little mystery as to who will occupy the left flank, however, where Oscar Gloukh (six goals, five assists) is expected to start. Despite his tender years (20), it is the Israeli international who is expected to be the danger man in the Austrians' attack line.