Ligue 1
ES Troyes AC vs Paris FC begins at 19:45 [GMT+1] on Saturday, August 22, at the Stade de l’Aube. Troyes will mark their return to Ligue 1 after a three-year absence when they welcome Paris FC to the Stade de l’Aube this weekend. ESTAC secured promotion as Ligue 2 champions last season, completing a remarkable rise after dropping into the third tier in 2023/24. Their return was built largely on an excellent home record, with only two league defeats at the Stade de l’Aube helping Stéphane Dumont’s side finish top of the second tier. Dumont will now take charge of his first Ligue 1 match as a head coach, with his team unbeaten throughout pre-season [4W, 2D, 0L]. The hosts will be desperate to end a difficult wait for a top-flight victory, having last tasted success in this competition against Strasbourg in 2023, when they prevailed 3-2. History provides further encouragement, as Troyes won both previous top-flight meetings with Paris FC during the 1973/74 campaign [2W, 0D, 0L]. However, recent encounters in Ligue 2 have favoured Paris, who have avoided defeat in their last five meetings with Troyes [3W, 2D, 0L] and won on each of their last two visits to the Stade de l’Aube. ESTAC have strengthened their squad with the signing of Hugo Picard from Columbus Crew and Patrick Beach from Melbourne City. However, Amar Fatah is ruled out due to injury after returning from a productive loan spell at Dundee United. More so, Tawfik Bentayeb’s potential departure for Anderlecht could leave Troyes without the player who won the Ligue 2 Golden Boot last season, increasing the pressure on their other forwards. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Renaud Ripart leading the attacking line may be seen against Les Parisiens.
Paris FC, meanwhile, exceeded expectations in their first Ligue 1 campaign in more than four decades, and Liam Rosenior has been appointed to ensure that progress continues. The former Strasbourg boss replaces Antoine Kombouaré, who suffered only two league defeats between March and the end of last season. Les Parisiens were particularly reliable away from home in 2026, earning points in all but two of their road matches before losing 2-1 at Rennes in May. Jean-Philippe Krasso is doubtful with a knee injury, while Omar Sissoko is also questionable because of an ankle problem. Lassine Sinayoko and Pablo Pagis are among the attacking additions expected to boost Paris, with Sinayoko having scored 12 Ligue 1 goals for Auxerre last term. Sinayoko is expected upfront in a 4—2—3—1 setup against Troyes.