Ligue 1’s two most in-form clubs go head-to-head at the Stade de la Meinau on Saturday, when Strasbourg host champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The hosts are storming towards an unlikely top-four finish, while PSG will have all of their focus elsewhere, after sealing the title last month, and losing their unbeaten streak at home against Nice a week ago.
Match preview
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In 2025, PSG (38) and Strasbourg (37) have taken more points than any other club in Ligue 1, while the two sides also have the best defensive records, with Strasbourg conceding just 11, and PSG 17, in the 16 games since the turn of the year.
Strasbourg’s sensational run continued last weekend, when they beat Saint-Etienne 3-1 here at La Meinau to close the gap on the top four once more.
It has been a tricky run for Liam Rosenior‘s men, as they had to face Nice and Monaco back-to-back, so against relegation-threatened opponents, they took advantage against Saint-Etienne last week.
That win leaves them level on points with Lyon and Nice, who both won last time out too, but the gap to fourth place is now just one point, with third-place Lille only two points ahead.
Strasbourg were able to tie down Rosenior to a new two-and-a-half year contract during the week, and it is no surprise they have been keen to extend his deal, because the club are currently enjoying their longest unbeaten run for 32 years.
An 11-game streak without defeat is now the longest ongoing run in Ligue 1 after PSG’s defeat last weekend, and if the league started in January, they would be in a title race, that is how impressive the Alsatians have been.
PSG have proven troublesome opponents throughout their history though, because the hosts have won just two of their last 34 encounters with the Parisians, with the last coming eight years ago.
While Rosenior has made Strasbourg devilishly difficult to break down, as shown by their defensive record in 2025, they have not kept a clean sheet against PSG in any of their previous 20 head-to-heads.
However, the hosts could be fortunate given the scheduling of this game, coming directly in between the two legs of PSG’s Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.
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The title is already sewn up, and Luis Enrique‘s men are no longer chasing an unprecedented unbeaten season after losing to Nice last time out, so all of the attention will already be on Wednesday night’s clash at the Parc des Princes.
Enrique picked a very strong team against Nice last Friday, going on to name the same XI in the 1-0 win over Arsenal on Tuesday, but they were left hugely frustrated by Franck Haise‘s side, who left with a 3-1 win despite having just three shots on target all evening.
In comparison, PSG had 32 attempts, 13 of which were on target, 17 corners and amassed an xG of 3.2, but Marcin Bulka was on hand to thwart them continuously, making 12 saves that night.
With their European distraction, PSG are now in danger of losing back-to-back league games for the first time in two years, but they will be keen to maintain their astonishing unbeaten run away from the capital, which is now at 39 matches – an all-time European top-five leagues record.
Team News
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Dion Sahi will be the only player absent for Strasbourg, as Habib Diarra was able to make the bench despite an injury scare last week, coming on for the final 30 minutes in the win over Saint-Etienne.
Valentin Barco‘s versatility came in useful again for Rosenior though, as Diarra’s fitness issue was alleviated by the Argentine full-back moving into central midfield to partner Andrey Santos.
There was also a first start in three weeks for Swede Sebastian Nanasi, but with plenty of competition in attacking areas, he could drop to the bench again for this one.
PSG are at full strength, with no injury concerns at present, and that is perfect for Enrique, who has a large pool of players to pick from in order to rotate here ahead of the visit of Arsenal on Wednesday.
Goncalo Ramos, Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola are among the players who are likely to start, with 11 changes being made not beyond the realm of possibility.
Ousmane Dembele will certainly be rested, as will the midfield three of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, while energetic full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes should also be given the night off.
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Doukoure, Omobamidele, Sarr; Diarra, Andrey Santos, Barco, Diego Moreira; Bakwa, Emegha, Lemarechal
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Safonov; Zague, Lucas Beraldo, Hernandez, Mbaye; Mayulu, Lee, Zaire-Emery; Doue, Goncalo Ramos, Barcola
We say: Strasbourg 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Strasbourg could not have picked a better time to play the runaway champions, who will have more than one eye on the second leg versus Arsenal on Wednesday, and Rosenior’s men have proven themselves capable of competing with any side in Ligue 1 this season.
However, PSG’s second-string XI is still very impressive, including players that would get into every other team in the division, so it will not be plain sailing for the hosts.
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