This Saturday, Ligue 1 champs Paris Saint-Germain head to Toulouse for an exciting gameweek three showdown. Both teams are riding high with perfect records so far, but Toulouse edges out PSG on goal difference after two solid wins.
PSG’s 1-0 victories over Nantes and Angers might not scream dominance, but don’t let the scorelines fool you. They’ve barely been tested, racking up six points without facing a single shot on target. Plus, they’ve fired off an impressive 39 shots in their opening two matches, with an xG topping three. That’s some serious firepower!
Defensively, PSG are locked in. They could kick off a Ligue 1 season with three straight clean sheets for the first time since 2015-16—a rare feat for them in France’s top flight. This solidity will be crucial with a tough run of games against Lens, Marseille, Lille, and Strasbourg looming after the international break. If PSG navigate that gauntlet unscathed, the Ligue 1 title race might be over before it even heats up.
Their dominance was on full display against Angers, where they controlled 83.3% of possession—one of the highest tallies ever recorded in Ligue 1, just shy of their 84.1% against Nantes last season. Toulouse, however, won’t be an easy out. PSG are the only team to blank them at the Municipal Stadium in their last 17 home games, and Toulouse haven’t beaten PSG at home in their last five tries. Historically, they’ve struggled against reigning champs, winning just twice in 14 years at home against the previous season’s titleholders.
Still, Toulouse are in great form. They kicked off the season with shutout wins over Nice and Brest, despite having less possession and fewer shots. Frank Magri’s two goals sealed a 2-0 victory over Brest last weekend, keeping Toulouse second in the standings. They’re now unbeaten in six and could make history with four straight Ligue 1 wins for the first time since 2011. Their recent run—four victories in five matches—matches their win total from the previous 18 games, so PSG are catching them at a tough moment.
Sticking with manager Carles Martinez has paid off for Toulouse. He’s turned them into a stable mid-table side with three consecutive solid finishes and a cup triumph, but this season, they might have their sights set on European qualification. Injuries are a concern, though—Niklas Schmidt is out long-term with a knee issue, and new signing Abu Francis hasn’t debuted yet. Rafik Messali is also waiting for his first appearance, but Julian Vignolo could make his bow after being an unused sub last week. Toulouse’s attack has been hit hard by the departures of Shavy Babicka, Josh King, Zakaria Aboukhlal, and midfielder Vincent Sierro this summer.
For PSG, Presnel Kimpembe and Senny Mayulu remain sidelined, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s recent minor injury might rule him out for Georgia’s international matches. Gianluigi Donnarumma waved goodbye to the Parc des Princes crowd last weekend as his departure looms, and Carlos Soler could also leave before the transfer window closes. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier has had a quiet start in PSG’s net, not facing a single shot in 180 minutes after a shaky Super Cup performance.
This clash promises to be a thrilling test for both sides as PSG aim to maintain their iron grip on Ligue 1, while Toulouse look to pull off a statement win at home.
