PSG vs Clermont

Ligue 1 juggernauts Paris Saint-Germain play host to high-flying newcomers Clermont Foot at the Parc des Princes.

A comfortable 2-0 away victory over sub-par Reims last time out stretched Paris’ perfect start to the new Ligue 1 season to four matches, highlighting their ambition to dethrone Lille this term. Given their intimidating firepower upfront, it comes as no surprise that PSG have netted 2+ goals in all four inaugural Ligue 1 fixtures this season, managing an average of 3.00 goals per game. Though they’ll have to make it out without South American superstars, Lionel Messi and Neymar, Mauricio Pochettino’s men are overwhelming favorites to beat newly-promoted Clermont in their first-ever top-flight meeting. Adding to this sentiment, ‘Les Parisiens‘ have not lost any of their previous 28 home matches against newly-promoted sides in Ligue 1 (W26, D2), winning the last 15 on the trot since a 1-0 loss to Montpellie in May 2010.

On the other hand, Clermont’s remarkable showings in the early stage of the season have seen them go winless in their inaugural four Ligue 1 outings (W2, D2), as they became the first team in the 21st century to go unbeaten in their first four games in France’s top-flight. After racking up a brace of 2-0 wins over fellow newcomers Troyes and out-of-sorts Bordeaux, the visitors have played out back-to-back scoring draws with Lyon and Metz, showing they mean business this term. After avoiding defeat in their first two road trips this season (W1, D1), ‘Les Lanciers‘ could go unbeaten in three straight away league fixtures for the first time since January. Confidence should be high in the traveling camp, as Pascal Gastien’s men have found the net in six consecutive league trips (W3, D1, L2), including an eye-catching 3-3 draw with Lyon on Matchday 3.