Week after week, Strasbourg's ambitions are growing. This season, Racing has returned to Europe after a 20-year absence, and it has no intention of stopping there. Buoyed by victories over Metz (0-1), Nantes (1-0), Le Havre (1-0), PFC (2-3) and Angers (5-0), the club from Alsace now occupy third place in Ligue 1, cementing their status as contenders for Champions League qualification.
For their part, Paris Saint-Germain are in an intense race for top spot in the early stages of the season. Atop the standings with 16 points, the capital club is one point ahead of Marseille, Lyon and, of course, Strasbourg. After being held to a draw in Lille just before the international break (1-1), the Parisians will be looking to get back on track at the Parc and take advantage of this clash between direct European rivals to pull away from Strasbourg.
17 – Strasbourg have won 17 Ligue 1 matches in 2025, their best total in a calendar year since 1996 (18). The only team to have won more matches in the top flight this year is none other than Paris Saint-Germain (19).
34 – Paris have not lost any of their 34 home matches against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 (27 wins, seven draws), setting the club record for the most home top-flight matches against the same opponent without defeat.
66 – Paris and Strasbourg are neck and neck for the most completed dribbles in the league this season, with 66 each.
Liam Rosenior's team are tipped to start in a 5-2-3 formation with Mike Penders in goal. On loan from Chelsea, the Belgian international is one of the revelations for Strasbourg this season. The visitors' defence will, however, likely to be missing the highly promising Mamadou Sarr (20) through injury. The stopper, who came up through the Lyon youth academy before impressing for Strabourg last season, could be replaced by Irish international Andrew Omobamidele. Alongside him, French youth international Ismaël Doukouré , who has become a key member of the Alsace club's starting XI, is expected to start.
New signing Lucas Høgsberg is the favourite to fill the third and final starting spot in central defence. Despite his tender years, the 19-year-old Danish international has made a stellar debut with Racing. At right-back, the Strasbourg staff are likely to opt for the reliable Guéla Doué, who could once again face his younger brother Desiré. On the opposite flank, two players stand out: newly capped Belgian international Diego Moreira and former Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell. The English international's experience and defensive solidity could well tip the balance in his favour, freeing Diego Moreira to move up a notch on the left wing.
In midfield, Valentín Barco will obviously be involved. The Argentine international is the linchpin in Strasbourg's game, and he could be joined by Félix Lemaréchal. Although the French youth international has an attacking profile, he seems to have a head start over Samir El Mourabet, Mathis Amougou and Rafael Luís, all three of whom are likely to make an appearance during the match, for a place in the centre of the park. Racing also have no shortage of quality on the right wing. It is difficult to know which Ivorian - Abdoul Ouattara or Martial Godo - will start, as both players have demonstrated their quality in recent weeks. Meanwhile, 18- year-old Ecuadorian international Kendry Páez is further down the pecking order but could also come on during the game.
On the left wing, Diego Moreira seems to have the edge, with Félix Lemaréchal remaining an alternative, but the return of Sebastian Nanasi to the squad could reshuffle the deck. In addition to the Swedish international, Rosenior has another offensive weapon in the form of Julio Enciso, who arrived from Brighton at the very end of the transfer window. Finally, at centre forward, captain and regular starter Emmanuel Emegha will be unable to play due to a hamstring injury, but will be replaced by supersub Joaquín Panichelli, evdience of Strasbourg's talented and well-stocked squad.
