Paris-Toulouse: Stay on your toes

The table

After a tricky start to the season, Toulouse have transformed themselves in recent weeks, going four games unbeaten. TéFéCé have now won three consecutive matches, including two away from home, against Montpellier (0-3) and Rennes (0-2). Between thosse two victories, the club from the Haute-Garonne region also won at home to Reims (1-0). What's more, these three wins have come without Les Violets' conceding a goal, and Carles Martínez Novell's men have duly climbed to tenth in the Ligue 1 standings with 15 points to their name.

Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, strengthened their lead at the top of the table more than ever, recording four consecutive top-flight wins over Strasbourg (4-2), Marseille (0-3), Lens (1-0) and Angers (2-4). The Parisians have set a pace that nearest rivals Monaco and OM have been unable to match. With 29 points from 11 games, Les Rouge et Bleu are now 6 points clear of Monaco and 9 ahead of Marseille.

Dynamics - in figures

OpposiTION forces

Carles Martinez Novell and his team line up in a 3-4-3 formation. In goal, Guillaume Restes (19), a young 'keeper trained at the club, is one of the main pillars of Toulouse's metamorphosis. Despite his young age, the France U21 international is now one of the best goalkeepers in the league. In front of him, three central defenders have proved their worth in recent weeks: American international Mark McKenzie, England U21 international Charlie Cresswell and French world champion Djibril Sidibé.

However, the former will have travelled a lot during the break, and the return of Rasmus Nicolaisen in this position could reshuffle the pack. On the right flank, Norwegian international Aron Dønnum is in competition with his compatriot Warren Kamanzi, but it is the latter who is tipped to start against the Parisians. Dønnum could take advantage of his versatility to line up on the opposite flank, however, should Chile international Gabriel Suazo not be in the physical form to warrant a starting role.

In midfield, captain Vincent Sierro has established himself as the keystone of this Toulouse side. An undisputed starter, the Swiss international should be accompanied by Cristian Cásseres, who is regularly preferred to Miha Zajc in midfield. In attack, Zakaria Aboukhlal is back in top form, having scored five times in his last three matches (three goals and two assists). The Moroccan international should logically start on the right wing, accompanied on the opposite flank by Yann Gboho, who has rediscovered his verve since arriving in the pink city less than a year ago.

These two in-form wingers have overshadowed Gabon international Shavy Babicka, who had become TéFéCé's attacking leader at the start of the season thanks to his three goals in the first four games. He should still make an appearance against the Rouge et Bleu, who will also have to be wary of Joshua King, who is expected to spearhead Les Violets' attack. The former Fenerbahce and Watford centre-forward, who has scored three goals and set up one in the league this season, is continuing his rise to prominence and has got the better of Cameroon international Frank Magri, who is expected to start on the bench.