European nights return with little time for French clubs to draw breath after the weekend league programme. Paris Saint-Germain travel to Manchester City, Lille head for Arsenal and Lens face Sporting, while Lyon, Marseille, Rennes and Monaco each meet opponents arriving with recent domestic momentum of their own.
English tests await PSG and Lille
Manchester City could scarcely have produced a sharper final statement before welcoming PSG on Wednesday at 21:00. City won 3-0 at Liverpool’s Anfield despite the off-field storm surrounding the club, extending a flawless start to their Premier League season: six wins from six. Rayan Cherki was again decisive for the English champions.
Lille will visit Arsenal on Tuesday at 21:00, and the Gunners also won at the weekend, although with considerably more difficulty. Leeds led in London before Arsenal turned the match around with two goals inside eight minutes to claim a 2-1 victory.
Lens, meanwhile, travel to Sporting on Tuesday for an 18:45 kick-off. The Portuguese side recovered from a losing position to beat Braga 3-1, with Luis Suarez scoring again. The Colombian forward has now found the net in each of his last seven club appearances across all competitions, leaving Lens with a clear danger to contain.
Europa League visitors bring mixed form
Lyon host Crystal Palace on Thursday at 18:45, in what will be Pierre Sage’s return to the club. Palace come to France after recording their first home Premier League win of the season, recovering from behind to defeat Nottingham Forest 3-1.
Marseille welcome Olympiakos to the Vélodrome later that evening, at 21:00. The Greek side edged Panathinaikos 1-0 in Piraeus, handing the league leaders their first defeat after five consecutive victories. Olympiakos scored before half-time, then finished the match with ten men but held on for the narrow win.
Rennes host Greek Cup holders OFI Crete at Roazhon Park on Thursday at 21:00. OFI, who beat Hoffenheim in the opening round of the league phase, were heavily beaten 3-0 by AEK Athens after a second-half red card.
Monaco’s Conference League trip to CSKA Sofia also arrives after a dramatic domestic result. The Bulgarian club, who host Monaco on Thursday at 18:45, defeated CSKA 1948 Sofia 3-2. They let a two-goal lead disappear before producing the winner in the 90th minute.
