PSG will be eyeing a fifth straight win in Ligue 1 when they hit the road to square up against AJ Auxerre at Stade Abbe-Deschamps on Friday.
Relegation-threatened AJ Auxerre will be hoping to bring an end to their three-match losing streak when they host giants PSG at Stade Abbe-Deschamps on Friday night.
The home team are 17th on the table with 12 points in their 18 outings. Christophe Pelissier’s men have only won three fixtures so far, and they are two points off safety. Since securing a 3-1 win over FC Metz at the start of December, Auxerre have lost their four subsequent games across competitions.
The hosts are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of RC Lens, and they will have to do much better to stand a chance against PSG. Meanwhile, the visitors are second on the table with 42 points in their 18 outings. Having dropped points on five occasions (D3 L2), the Ligue 1 champions find themselves a point behind leaders Lens.
While PSG have won each of their last four league games, they lost to Paris FC in the French Cup and are heading into this one on the back of a shocking defeat at the hands of Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League. PSG will be eager to return to winning ways and will throw everything at Auxerre. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
AJ Auxerre
The home team remain without the services of Francisco Sierralta (unspecified) and Nathan Buayi-Kiala (ACL). But they do have a boost as Gideon Mensah and Elisha Owusu are back available after serving a suspension. Loanee Romain Faivre could make his full debut against the defending champions.
Auxerre will line up in a 5-2-1-2 formation, where Donovan Leon will take charge in goal. The back three will be made up of Clement Akpa, Sinaly Diomande, and Marvin Senaya. The trio will receive significant support from wing-backs Lamine Sy and Gideon Mensah, as they look to shut down a star-studded PSG attack.
As for the midfield unit, Oussama El Azzouzi will partner with Naouirou Ahamada in the middle of the pitch. The duo would love to control the tempo, but that is unlikely to happen with PSG expected to dominate the proceedings. Romain Faivre will take up the no. 10 role behind Lassine Sinayoko and Danny Namaso, who will spearhead the Auxerre attack against PSG on Friday.
Probable Lineup (5-2-1-2): Leon; Sy, Akpa, Diomande, Senaya, Mensah; El Azzouzi, Ahamada; Faivre; Namoso, Sinayoko
PSG
The visitors will be without the services of Joao Neves (unspecified), Lee Kang-in (thigh) and Matvey Safonov (hand). Meanwhile, Fabian Ruiz is a major doubt after picking up an injury last time out. Meanwhile, Achraf Hakimi and Ibrahim Mbaye are back from AFCON.
PSG will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Lucas Chevalier will be in goal. Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will feature as the full-backs, while Illia Zabarnyi will pair up with Lucas Beraldo in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Warren Zaire-Emery could start alongside Vitinha and Senny Mayulu in the centre of the park. The trio will look to dictate the pace of the game. Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Finally, Ousmane Dembele will lead the line for PSG against Auxerre on Friday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Mayulu; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Key Stats
- Auxerre have lost each of their last four games across competitions.
- PSG have won their last four league games, but have lost two out of their last three games across competitions.
- PSG’s last visit to Auxerre ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
- The two teams have already squared up against each other earlier in the season, with PSG securing a comfortable 2-0 win at the Parc des Princes.
- Luis Enrique’s team have only kept one clean sheet in their last six away games.
Player to Watch
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Kvaratskhelia is expected to start on the left flank, and he will certainly have a big say on the end result. While the Georgian winger has not been at his best this season, he did bag his first goal of 2026 in their defeat to Sporting CP last time out.
The 24-year-old will be very confident heading into this fixture, and it won’t be much of a surprise if he ends up finding the back of the net against Auxerre and adds to his tally of seven goals and five assists.
Prediction
AJ Auxerre 0-3 PSG
Auxerre are expected to approach this fixture with a defensive mindset, looking to frustrate PSG and capitalise on any rare openings they can create in transition. While home support and desperation in the relegation battle could make them competitive in spells, sustaining that level against a superior opponent will be a tough ask, especially given their recent run of defeats.
PSG, despite some inconsistencies across competitions, should have too much quality and depth for the hosts. With their attacking trio capable of stretching Auxerre’s back five and midfielders controlling possession, Luis Enrique’s side are likely to dominate proceedings. If they are clinical in the final third, the visitors should return to Paris with a comfortable victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for the away team.