Paris v. Montpellier: Back at home

A LOOK AT THE TABLE

Following a 2-1 win over Ligue 2 side FC Martigues and then a 3-1 defeat to Bundesliga outfit 1. FSV Mainz 05 in pre-season, Montpellier got their Ligue 1 season underway with a 1-1 draw at home to RC Strasbourg last Sunday. Although it was no surprise when MHSC conceded the opening goal of the game just before the hour mark, the hosts would react by netting an equaliser through their iconic captain, Téji Savanier.

Meanwhile, after being held to a 2-2 draw by Sturm Graz and then to a 1-1 draw by RB Leipzig during their own pre-season preparations, Paris Saint-Germain made an ideal start to their league campaign by picking up an opening-day win away to Le Havre. Despite wasting little time in opening the scoring through Lee Kang-in, the capital club were later pegged back by the home side. However, Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola would both then have a sensational impact on the game by coming off the bench and scoring, which, combined with a penalty won and then duly converted by Randal Kolo Muani, gave Les Parisiens a 4-1 victory at the Stade Océane.

THE TWO TEAMS' CURRENT FORM IN NUMBERS

THE OPPOSITION'S STRENGTHS

Michel Der Zakarian tends to set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation. In goal, former AS Monaco keeper Benjamin Lecomte has established himself as one of the key men in this Montpellier team, while in front of him, Switzerland international Bećir Omeragić is expected to start the encounter in central defence, almost certainly alongside Mali international Modibo Sagnan, who appears to sit ahead of his compatriot Boubakar Kouyaté in the pecking order. Meanwhile, MHSC's coaching staff are still having to make do without centre-back Christopher Jullien, who is currently out with a thigh injury.

On the right side of defence, Cameroon international Enzo Tchato is likely to retain his place in the starting XI, while the experienced Falaye Sacko is the most obvious candidate to line up on the opposite side in the absence of Issiaga Sylla and Théo Sainte-Luce, who are both also sidelined with thigh injuries.

In midfield, the pairing of Joris Chotard and Jordan Ferri will be hard at work once again in order to maintain their side's balance, while the aforementioned Savanier is expected to feature just in front of them in the playmaker role. Yet another victim of a thigh injury is the promising Khalil Fayad, though, who will be absent against Les Parisiens as a result.

In attack, Der Zakarian and his staff already seem to have a clear idea of their preferred front three. Former AS Saint-Étienne man Arnaud Nordin may well start the game on the right wing, with Jordan international Mousa Tamari taking up a position on the opposite flank, while Nigerian striker Akor Adams appears to be the number-one choice for a starting place at centre-forward at the Parc des Princes. However, this attacking trio could be challenged by the return of Wahbi Khazri, who – as well as boasting a career total of 74 goals and 38 assists in Ligue 1 – is capable of playing anywhere across the front line. So, Les Rouge et Bleu's rearguard, you've been warned...