After a difficult season last time out and a 13th-place finish in the top flight, FC Nantes are now undergoing a change. Les Jaune et Vert saw a number of departures from their squad this summer, but above all the arrival of a new coach, Luis Castro, who crossed paths with the Parisians last season in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, when the Portuguese tactician was at the helm of USL Dunkerque. Accustomed to putting in solid performances at their home ground, Nantes will be keen to put on a show for their fans against the Rouge et Bleu and kick-start their revival in style.
For their part, Paris Saint-Germain have had an intense return to action. After a three-week break, Luis Enrique's players returned to training just ten days ago. But that did not stop the Parisians from winning their first title of the season last Wednesday in Italy, in a thrilling encounter against Tottenham in the European Supercup (2-2, 4-3 on penalties). Not yet physically fit, the players from the capital club will be trying to find the resources to get the better of the Canaries and record their second win of the week.
28: Paris have scored at least one goal in each of their last 28 matches against Nantes in Ligue 1, the last time they went goalless was in February 2006.
17: Paris Saint-Germain are the team that have beaten FC Nantes most often at home in Ligue 1 (17 wins in 47 matches).
100: Bradley Barcola could play his 100th Ligue 1 match this Sunday, as could Paris Saint-Germain new signing Lucas Chevalier, who arrived last week from Lille.
Luis Castro and his team could start against the Parisians with a 4-3-3 system. Former Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper Anthony Lopes is expected to start in goal. The Jaune et Vert keeper has quickly established itself as a key player in his team, while Nigerian international Chidozie Awaziem is expected to take his place in front of him. To accompany the Nantes signing in central defence, the very young Tylel Tati (17) could have his part to play. A product of the FCN academy, the Frenchman will be competing with Jean-Kévin Duverne for a starting spot, while Sékou Doucouré looks to have moved on.
On the right side of the defence, former Toulouse man Kelvin Amian is the obvious choice to replace Fabien Centonze. On the opposite to the Canaries captain should be Nicolas Cozza, once again on loan at Nantes from German club Wolfsburg. In midfield, former Arsenal player Francis Coquelin is not expected to recover from a muscle strain, so French U-21 international Johann Lepenant is expected to start. The former Lyon man is a real regulator of the Nantes system, and should be able to call on Hyeok-kyu Kwon, who arrived this summer from Glasgow Celtic, and 19-year-old Louis Leroux, who came to prominence in the second half of last season.
The three men should form Nantes' midfield trio, while Hyun-seok Hong, a player on loan from Mainz with a more attacking profile, could make an appearance during the match. As for the attack, nothing seems to be set in stone as far as the right-wing position is concerned. After shining for Aubagne last season, Yassine Benhattab is still the favourite to start against Les Rouge et Bleu. The man voted best player of the last National 1 season could be preferred to Amady Camara, while Swedish U-21 international Mayckel Lahdo has just joined the club and is unlikely to start from the outset.
On the left flank, on the other hand, the pecking order seems much clearer. Barring any surprises, the promising Herba Guirassy is likely to start, as he has so far been preferred to Adel Mahamoud, another product of the Nantes squad. Finally, at the head of the Jaune et Vert's attack, the suspense is high ahead of their meeting with the Parisians. The club's top scorer last season, French U-21 international Matthis Abline, could be in demand but does not appear to be fully fit. This situation could lead the Canaris staff to start Egyptian international Mostafa Mohamed. We'll find out the answer on Sunday evening...
