Matchday 11: Five things to look out for

Matchday 11 sees Ligue 1 McDonald's sides resume action after a mid-week Matchday full of goals and drama. Both Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille are hoping to bounce back whilst Monaco are aiming to keep pushing at the top of the table.

A long-awaited return for Paul Pogba?

The 2018 World Cup winner has not yet featured for Les Monégasques since signing for the club back in June, but Monaco boss Sébastien Pocognoli has suggested that Paul Pogba could be featured in his squad to face Paris FC this weekend.

“It is possible that he will be in the squad, yes,” said the new Monaco boss ahead of the game. "He still has a training session on Thursday and if he is feeling good, we could see him again and he would be within the process that we fixed."

The former Juventus and Manchester United man has been undergoing a three-month training programme to get himself back to sharpness - after not making an appearance since September 2023 when he represented Italian side Juventus against Empoli.

Monaco will be facing capital club Paris FC at the Stade Louis II this weekend, hoping to build on their 5-3 win over Nantes which saw them rise to second in the Ligue 1 McDonald's table.

AS Monaco vs Paris FC
Saturday 1st November, 19:00 CET
Stade Louis II

Can Nice repeat PSG upset at the Parc?

Another Côte d'Azur side are facing a side from the French capital this weekend, with OGC Nice making the trip to the Parc des Princes on Saturday afternoon. Les Aiglons were the only side to beat Les Parisiens on their own home soil last season, stopping Luis Enrique's men from going the season unbeaten thanks to a brace from Morgan Sanson and an effort Youssouf Ndayishimiye to beat what was a formidable attacking force last season.

Franck Haise's men will be hoping to repeat that feat again this season, after completing a precious win over Lille during the week. For Luis Enrique's men, it will be a case of bouncing back after being held to a 1-1 draw against Lorient on Wednesday - with concern for injuries after Désiré Doué had to be hauled off.

Paris Saint-Germain vs OGC Nice
Saturday 1st November, 17:00 CET
Parc des Princes

Can Marseille bounce back on fabled turf?

Olympique de Marseille looked as if they were going to get back to winning ways against Angers at the Vélodrome on Wednesday evening after youngster Robinio Vaz scored a stunning brace to stage a two-goal turnaround, but Ousmane Camara had other ideas when he equalised for Les Angevins in the 96th minutes to stop Les Phocéens from moving top of the league. Frustrated, De Zerbi's side will have to travel to Auxerre's Stade Abbé Deschamps - the site of a 3-0 defeat last season - in order to try and get back to winning ways.

De Zerbi's men are now currently winless in their last three games following a run of six straight victories earlier this season in all competitions to get their season under way. “We have to decide who we want to be: the team that played against PSG, or one that changes depending on the weather, whether it’s sunny or raining," said the Italian coach after the draw against Angers this week.

AJ Auxerre vs Olympique de Marseille
Saturday 1st November, 21:05 CET
Stade Abbé Deschamps

Can Strasbourg push the top three

Hoping to overtake Marseille will be Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg side, who currently sit level with Lyon and Marseille on 19 points just behind Monaco and leaders PSG. After falling to defeat against Olympique Lyonnais last weekend, Le Racing bounced back with a convincing 3-0 win over Auxerre to put themselves back in contention near the top of the Ligue 1 McDonald's table. Joaquin Panichelli was once again back on the scoresheet, with the in-form Valentin Barco also grabbing a goal with Sébastien Nanasi. Les Alsatiens will be facing a Stade Rennais side with manager Habib Beye still under pressure, after giving up a two-goal lead (again) to Toulouse in midweek.

Stade Rennais vs Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace
Sunday 2nd November, 15:00 CET
Roahzon Park

Already a key match near the bottom?

FC Metz managed to grab their first win of the season thanks to a brace by captain Gauthier Hein late on against high-flyers Lens. It comes just at the right moment of the season for Les Grenats, who will face fellow strugglers FC Nantes on Sunday afternoon. Sitting in 15th place and four points ahead of Metz, Les Canaris have only won twice all season so far and could be dragged into the relegation battle if Stephane Le Mignan's side can get something from the game. Les Grenats will have to travel to Stade de la Beaujoire without captain Hein after the Frenchman was sent off with a second yellow during the celebrations for his second goal against Lens.

FC Nantes vs FC Metz
Sunday 2nd November, 17:15 CET
Stade de la Beaujoire