What to watch this weekend: Five key storylines

early-season Olimpico

They're bitter sporting and regional rivals, and after twice being defeated in a 3-2 scoreline last season, Lyon will be looking for revenge against Marseille at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday evening. Les Gones have made a promising start to the season, with wins over Lens and FC Metz and face a Marseille side that reacted to an opening day defeat to Rennes with plenty of goals against Paris FC last weekend at the Vélodrome (5-2). Both sides will be looking at this clash as a barometer before the first international break to take place in early September.

Olympique Lyonnais vs Olympique de Marseille
Sunday 31st August, 20:45
Groupama Stadium

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Ligue 1's entertainers face-off at Stade Louis II

Following their qualification for the UEFA Conference League group stage against Danish side Brøndby in the week, Strasbourg travel down to the principality of Monaco with hopes to extend their unbeaten start. It will be a clash between two exciting and young outfits, who both have European aspirations near the top of the Ligue 1 McDonald's table. An attacking style of play under Liam Rosenior and Adi Hütter - it should be a match-up meant for entertaining action.

AS MONACO vs RCSA
Sunday 31st August, 17:15
Stade Louis II

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Paris FC land at Stade Jean-Bouin

Paris FC will make their first appearance at home in Ligue 1 McDonald's for 46 years, and a first-ever match in their new home at Stade Jean-Bouin. The 20,000 capacity stadium has undergone maintenance over the summer in order to be ready to welcome Les Parisiens.

FC Metz will be the first opponents for Paris FC, moving from their former Stade Charléty in the south of the city to become the neighbours of PSG's Parc des Princes in the West. It will be an important match against a fellow promoted side, with both teams losing their first two Ligue 1 McDonald's matches this season.

PARIS FC vs FC METZ
Sunday, 31st August, 17:15
Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris

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Carles Martinez Novell and Luis Enrique face-off

Paris Saint-Germain have gone into the 2025-2026 season with very little preparation during the summer, but have already managed to grind out important wins against FC Nantes and Angers already in their first two matches. Les Rouges et Bleu have to make the trip down to the Occitaine region to face a Toulouse side managed by Carles Martinez Novell.

It marks another reunion for the pair, who both earned their coaching badges at FC Barcelona, and play an expansive attacking style based on positional play. "Luis Enrique has very clear ideas about what he wants to do, and he knows his players will eventually get there—they have a lot of talent. And he’s really succeeding now," said Martinez Novell last year in an interview with AFP on his admiration for Enrique.

TOULOUSE FC vs PSG
Saturday, 30th August
Toulouse Stadium, Toulouse

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Can Giroud make it three out of three?

Frenchman Olivier Giroud has had a fantastic first two matches for Lille since signing this summer from Los Angeles Galaxy, scoring on his debut against Brest before netting a stunning last-minute winner against Monaco last Sunday (0-1). Les Dogues will be travelling to Breton side Lorient this weekend, who according to sporting director Laurent Koscielny in an interview with Le Télégramme revealed that Les Merlus had tried to sign Giroud.