Paris Saint-Germain will aim to get back to winning ways when they welcome AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1.

PSG return to the Parc des Princes against AJ Auxerre on Saturday determined to bounce back from their first Ligue 1 setback of the season, a 1-0 defeat at arch-rivals Marseille. While Luis Enrique’s side remain joint top of the table in a four-way battle for early supremacy, Auxerre arrive in the capital looking to build on a narrow but morale-boosting victory over Toulouse.

The reigning champions have enjoyed a strong start overall, but Monday night’s slip at the Stade Velodrome was a sobering reminder that their dominance is not untouchable. Failing to score for the first time in 2025, PSG were blunt in attack and lacked their usual fluidity, despite celebrating a night of individual accolades at the Ballon d’Or gala just hours earlier. Luis Enrique, who claimed the Coach of the Year award, now faces the prospect of suffering consecutive Ligue 1 defeats for the first time in his PSG tenure.

Another concern is that the Parisians have not been leading the table after five matchdays in three of their last four campaigns, and on each of those occasions, they fell short in the title race. That said, PSG’s home record remains formidable: they have scored in 35 straight league games at the Parc des Princes and have kept two clean sheets from two outings on their own turf this term. With players like Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola firing, their attacking arsenal is still well placed to rediscover its cutting edge.

Auxerre, meanwhile, travel to Paris to take on PSG with optimism tempered by inconsistency. Christophe Pelissier’s team secured a gritty 1-0 home victory over Toulouse last weekend despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half. Their indiscipline is becoming a hallmark, AJA lead the division in red cards alongside Rennes (three apiece), while committing more than 13 fouls per match. Such recklessness has often proved costly, especially away from home.

On their travels, Auxerre’s record is bleak: three straight away defeats in Ligue 1 this season with just one goal scored. Even when they take the lead, their resilience falters, as shown by four away defeats since the start of last season after opening the scoring, one of them being the 3-1 loss to PSG on the final day of 2024/25. Still, victory on Saturday would mark a rare piece of history: it would be their first time with three wins from their opening six Ligue 1 fixtures since the 2004/05 season.

The Parisians have not lost at home to Auxerre in almost 25 years, dating back to October 2010. They also boast a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions against their Burgundy rivals, scoring 11 goals in the last three home encounters alone. For PSG, this fixture offers the chance to reassert their dominance and keep pace with Monaco.

For Auxerre, it is an uphill battle, their best hope lies in defensive discipline and opportunism, though recent history suggests they will struggle to contain their star-studded opponents. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain will once again have to contend with notable absences this weekend. Ousmane Dembele, fresh off winning the Ballon d’Or, missed the Marseille clash with a hamstring strain and remains unavailable. Fellow attacker Bradley Barcola and midfielder Joao Neves are also sidelined due to hamstring injuries, while versatile winger Desire Doue continues his recovery from a calf problem. These injuries have limited Luis Enrique’s attacking flexibility, forcing him to reshuffle his options.

Despite those setbacks, PSG are expected to field a strong XI in a 4-4-2 setup. Lucas Chevalier will start in goal, hoping to bounce back after Marquinhos’s own goal denied him a third consecutive clean sheet last time out. In defence, Achraf Hakimi will occupy the right-back slot, with Illia Zabarnyi and Lucas Beraldo forming the central pairing, and Lucas Hernandez stationed on the left.

The midfield will feature Warren Zaire-Emery on the right, with Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz operating centrally to control possession and distribution, while Nuno Mendes is likely to slot into a more advanced role on the left flank to provide width. Up front, Goncalo Ramos will partner Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, combining Ramos’s physical presence and finishing ability with Kvaratskhelia’s dribbling flair and creativity.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz, Mendes; Ramos, Kvaratskhelia

AJ Auxerre

Auxerre head into their daunting trip to Paris with a few selection concerns. Nathan Buayi-Kiala is ruled out with a cruciate ligament injury that will keep him sidelined long term. Defender Sinaly Diomande is unavailable due to a thigh strain, and left-back Fredrik Oppegard will serve a suspension following his red card against Toulouse.

On a more positive note, Josue Casimir has completed his suspension and is eligible to return this weekend. Danny Namaso, who netted his first goal of the season since joining on loan from Porto, is expected to retain his place, while goalkeeper Donovan Leon, fresh from three key saves and his first clean sheet since returning from suspension, will once again start between the posts.

Christophe Pelissier is expected to line his side up in a compact 5-4-1 formation at the Parc des Princes. Donovan Leon will feature in goal, protected by a back five of Marvin Senaya at right-back, with Telli Siwe and Francisco Sierralta forming the central defensive pairing, while Gideon Mensah and Clement Akpa are set to occupy the left-sided defensive roles.

In midfield, Lassine Sinayoko will provide width on one side, while Kevin Danois and captain Elisha Owusu control the central areas. Danny Namaso, buoyed by his recent strike, is likely to operate from a wide position, supporting lone striker Sekou Mara, who will lead the line for AJ Auxerre and attempt to trouble PSG’s backline with his pace and movement.

Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Leon; Senaya, Siwe, Sierralta, Mensah, Akpa; Sinayoko, Owusu, Danois, Loader; Mara

Key Stats

• Auxerre have faced PSG 68 times in Ligue 1, tied with Bordeaux as their most frequent opponent, and have lost 29 of those matches. In the 21st century, they have lost 10 of their 14 away league games against the Parisians (W3 D1).

• Despite being level with AS Monaco on points and goal difference, PSG sit second in Ligue 1 after five games. It is only the fourth time in the last 11 seasons they have not been top at this stage (the other years being 2016/17, 2020/21, and 2023/24).

• Auxerre have two wins and three draws from their first five league matches. If they win this weekend, it would mark the first time since 2004/05 that they have managed three wins from their opening six Ligue 1 fixtures.

• Paris Saint-Germain have scored in each of their last 35 Ligue 1 home games (90 goals in total). They are now tied with their longest-ever home scoring streak in the French top flight, 35 games between January 2013 and December 2014.

• Since the start of last season, Auxerre have lost more Ligue 1 away matches after scoring the first goal (five) than any other team. This includes their 3-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes in May 2025.

Player to Watch

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

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All eyes will be on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as Paris Saint-Germain seek to reassert their dominance in Ligue 1. The Georgian winger has quickly adapted to life at the Parc des Princes, adding flair and unpredictability to Luis Enrique’s attacking blueprint. Known for his dazzling dribbling, sharp acceleration, and ability to cut inside from the left flank, Kvaratskhelia has already proven to be a nightmare for defenders in one-on-one situations.

What makes him especially dangerous is his dual threat: he can both create and finish chances. His vision and link-up play complement the clinical presence of Goncalo Ramos, while his willingness to shoot from distance keeps opposition goalkeepers on constant alert. With Ousmane Dembele sidelined, Kvaratskhelia’s role as PSG’s primary creative spark becomes even more vital.

Against an Auxerre side that has struggled to contain elite forwards away from home, Kvaratskhelia’s directness and technical brilliance could easily tilt the game in PSG’s favour. His performance will likely be key to breaking down Auxerre’s compact shape and ensuring the Parisians maintain their remarkable home scoring streak.

Prediction

Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 AJ Auxerre

Paris Saint-Germain return to the Parc des Princes eager to make amends for their setback against Marseille, and history strongly favours the champions. They have scored in each of their last 35 Ligue 1 home games and are unbeaten against Auxerre in their last seven encounters. With Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stepping up in Ousmane Dembele’s absence and Goncalo Ramos finding form, PSG’s firepower should be more than enough to unlock the Auxerre defence.

For the visitors, Christophe Pelissier’s side arrive with confidence after taking two wins and three draws from their opening five matches, but their away record remains poor. Auxerre have lost their last three league games on the road and have often collapsed after scoring first, a trend that does not bode well against a side of PSG’s calibre. Disciplinary issues — three red cards already this season — could also undo them in such a demanding fixture.

While Auxerre may battle hard and look to frustrate early on, PSG’s superior quality, depth, and home advantage are likely to prove decisive. Expect the champions to return to winning ways with a comfortable victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Luis Enrique and his charges.