The preview: Lyon-Paris

TABLE UPDATE

After two consecutive draws against FC Lorient (0-0) and Toulouse FC (1-1), Paris Saint-Germain picked up their first win of the season last Saturday when they took on RC Lens (3-1). The capital club now have 5 points after 3 games, and are two points behind AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille at the top of the table.

For their part, Lyon have had a tricky start to the season. After losing 2-1 at Strasbourg on Matchday 1, Olympique Lyonnais were beaten 1-4 by Montpellier before picking up their first point of the season at OGC Nice on Sunday (0-0). Despite the absence of a number of players, the hosts will no doubt be keen to give Luis Enrique's men a run for their money at home.

A look back at the last MEETING

The last time the two sides met was on Matchday 29 on 2 April, when the visitors spoiled the party at the Parc des Princes.  The first quarter of an hour saw the Rouge et Bleu dominate the game, with Vitinha (4'), Kylian Mbappé (9') and Nuno Mendes (15') all having chances to score. After holding their own, Lyon came back into the game and won a penalty after Alexandre Lacazette was fouled. But the Gones captain saw his effort hit the upright of Gianluigi Donnarumma's goal (39'), allowing Paris to go into the break with the scores level.

In a tight second half, the visitors found the net when Saël Kumbedi fed Bradley Barcola in the box. The future Parisian curled his left-footed shot into the far corner of the net to open the scoring just before the hour mark (0-1, 56'). Despite their dominance, the Parisians' attack were facing up to a well-organised opposition block. It looked as though Kylian Mbappé's late effort would bring Paris level, but Anthony Lopes' last-ditch save turned it away for a corner (90'). At the end of a hard-fought encounter, the Parisians lost by the narrowest of margins to a resilient Lyon side.

 THE OPPOSITION

Laurent Blanc and his team have two main playing systems: 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3. In goal, it is Anthony Lopes who is due to start his eleventh season as a starter. Until now, however, he has been deputised by his understudy Rémy Riou following a facial injury. However, the Portuguese international could be back for Sunday's match. The same goes for Dejan Lovren in central defence, who has been out injured since the start of the season and has only just returned to training. Until now, Côte d'Ivoire international Sinaly Diomandé (6 blocked shots this season, his team's best total) has formed the central defence alongside Duje Caleta-Car (13 clearances in three games, Lyon's best performance in this area).

OL also have to contend with absentees on the right side of defence. New signing Clinton Mata was injured on Matchday 1 and will not be available to face the Parisians. The starting berth therefore goes to the very young Saël Kumbedi (18), who has already made 14 tackles and interceptions this season, at least 5 more than any of his team-mates. On the opposite flank, Nicolas Tagliafico has established himself as a mainstay of Lyon's eleven. The Argentinian world champion is one of the few Lyon players to have played the entirety of the first three league games.

In midfield, Laurent Blanc has yet to find the defensive midfielder he would like to permanently install in the holding position. Further forward in midfield, vice-captain Corentin Tolisso is one of Lyon's key players, the only player in the league to have won all of his aerial duels (out of a minimum of five contested), as is his counterpart Maxence Caqueret, who is also capable of playing a step higher up the pitch.

The France U-21 international's pressing is as effective as ever, with a total of 21 recoveries so far this season, an average of 7 per game. Youngsters Johann Lepenant (20) and Skelly Alvero (21) are also options, while England international Ainsley Maitland-Niles has just played his first game for his new team and provides an additional solution in midfield.

In attack, France U21 international Rayan Cherki can play as a second striker or as a winger. As unpredictable as ever, he is the player with the most dribbles in Ligue 1 so far this season (13). Alongside him, the lively Brazilian Jeffinho is also in contention for a starting berth, while Ghana international Ernest Nuamah, newly arrived from Denmark, could make his first start for OL following Bradley Barcola's transfer to the capital club.

Up front, captain Alexandre Lacazette (31 goals and 6 assists last season) will serve the second match of his suspension against Les Rouge et Bleu and will therefore be absent. The latest recruit Mama Baldé (12 Ligue 1 goals last season with Troyes) and Tino Kadewere will therefore have the onerous task of replacing Lyon's serial goalscorer.

LUCAS HERNANDEZ - NICOLAS TAGLIAFICO: THE DUEL OF THE MATCH

Barring any surprises, the two world champions are expected to start at left-back on Sunday evening. The Frenchman and the Argentinian will each be looking to put in their best possible performance, both defensively and offensively. This season, Lucas Hernandez has been more accurate in his passing than his future opponent (89.8% of passes completed compared to 81.6% for Nicolas Tagliafico). Moreover, the French international has made more progressive passes than the Argentinian defender (15 compared to 11). More involved in the game, Les Rouge et Bleu's full-back has touched an average of over 100 balls per game this season, more than twice as many as OL's left-back. Finally, Lucas Hernandez has been more effective at recovering the ball, with 18 in this early part of the season compared to 9 for his Lyon counterpart.

Nicolas Tagliafico, meanwhile, is more at home in his defensive duties. The former Ajax player has already made 8 clearances this season, compared to just 2 for Lucas Hernandez. Often well placed, the Argentinian defender has so far blocked 4 shots compared to 3 for the French defender. And although he has a more defensive profile, Nicolas Tagliafico also knows how to get forward into the opposition half when he gets the chance. Just like his goal against Strasbourg, the Olympique Lyonnais left-back has touched the ball more in the opposition box than Lucas Hernandez. All of which promises to make for a fascinating duel on the left flanks.