Overachievers Auxerre experienced their initial setback since early October when they were defeated 2-0 at mid-table rivals Toulouse, but that wasn’t a shock to many considering their poor away statistics (W1, D1, L5) since rejoining Ligue 1. However, their performances at Stade Abbé-Deschamps have been nearly the opposite this season (W5, L1), where they’re set to host two challenging fixtures against stronger teams, Paris Saint-Germain and Lens.
Auxerre manager Christophe Pélissier undoubtedly faces a tough task here. His record of W1, D2, L9 against PSG is his worst against any of the nine teams he has personally managed at least 12 times, including 5-0 (away) and 2-1 (home) defeats during Auxerre’s previous Ligue 1 tenure.
Following another underwhelming Champions League outing (W1, D1, L3 this season), PSG had to endure a frustrating 1-1 home stalemate against relegation strugglers Nantes despite recording the highest possession rate (84%) in a Ligue 1 game for 17 years! Coach Luis Enrique insists that the wheels are not coming off, citing their unbeaten domestic form in 2024/25 (W10, D3) and commanding advantage at the league summit.
His optimism appears justified, as PSG reacted to their two previous 1-1 Ligue 1 draws this season by securing 1-0 half-time advantages in their following top-tier matches, ultimately winning both by at least two goals. Nantes are the sole bottom-half side at the start of this round that PSG have failed to defeat in 2024/25.
Against other teams beginning this matchday outside the top nine, PSG have claimed victories in all seven such encounters this season, winning by a margin of at least two goals and netting 3+ goals in each of those triumphs to offset just two clean sheets.
Players to monitor: Hamed Traorè is crucial to Auxerre’s prospects of pulling off a surprise, having scored in five of the seven matches where they’ve collected points this season. Bradley Barcola, on the other hand, is integral for PSG, as he has found the net in all four of their Ligue 1 away triumphs this term.
Key stat: Ten of Auxerre’s Ligue 1 fixtures this season (77%) have witnessed more than 2.5 total goals – the joint-highest in the league after matchday 13.
