Paris Saint-Germain will look to keep the momentum going from their midweek victory over RB Leipzig when they welcome Bordeaux to the Parc des Princes for Saturday's Ligue 1 encounter.
Similarly, the visitors are also aiming to build on an impressive win as they overcame Rennes 1-0 in their most recent domestic outing.
Match preview
© Reuters
It is inconceivable to believe that PSG - last season's Champions League runners-up - will falter at the first hurdle in Europe's elite competition, but the French champions ensured that a path to the knockout stages is still on the cards with a narrow victory over Leipzig in midweek.
Neymar confidently dispatched a controversially-awarded penalty in the 11th minute, and Leipzig were unable to find a way through for the remainder of the game as Thomas Tuchel's men claimed a vital three points.
With next week's imperative showdown with Manchester United in mind, Tuchel will no doubt be desperate to see his perennial champions return to winning ways in Ligue 1, where they boast a two-point lead atop the rankings ahead of second-placed Lille.
PSG had amassed an eight-game winning run in the top flight before last weekend - with Tuchel's men scoring 26 goals and conceding just once in that time - but the injury-hit champions suffered a second-half capitulation against Monaco as Les Monegasques came out of a pulsating encounter as the victors by three goals to two.
A Kylian Mbappe double put PSG in control before the break, but the introduction of Cesc Fabregas breathed new life into Monaco as he scored from the spot after Kevin Volland's double had initially levelled the scores, with PSG finishing the game with 10 men after Abdou Diallo was given his marching orders.
© Reuters
In contrast, Bordeaux managed to come out on the correct end of the scoreline at Roazhon Park against a Rennes side who have suffered a downhill slump in recent weeks.
A 37th-minute Hatem Ben Arfa goal saw Bordeaux assume control of the game, and Jean-Louis Gasset's men won the only way they know how - by keeping a clean sheet.
Indeed, Les Girondins have recorded shut-outs in all four of their league victories this season, with Bordeaux keeping a total of seven clean sheets in the 2020-21 campaign, but they are now facing a PSG side who have also stopped the opposition from scoring seven times in Ligue 1 this season.
Bordeaux's defence seemed to have lost its resolve in recent weeks before that victory at Rennes, and Gasset's rearguard will certainly need to produce an inspired performance if they are to stop PSG from adding to the 28 league goals they have already notched up this term.
Les Girondins, who currently occupy 12th spot in the table, are winless against PSG since the 2014-15 campaign - with the champions triumphing 4-3 in a thriller at the Parc des Princes last season.
Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form: WWWWWL
Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions): WWLWLW
Bordeaux Ligue 1 form: WLWLLW
Team News
© Reuters
Diallo's red card against Monaco has ruled him out of this encounter, while Marquinhos is also going to be rested here, but Presnel Kimpembe is available despite missing the win over Leipzig through a suspension of his own.
While the game is expected to come too soon for Julian Draxler, fellow absentees Idrissa Gueye and Mauro Icardi both have outside chances of returning to the fold for this encounter.
Tuchel will no doubt ring the changes as he sets his sights on next week's showdown with Man Utd, which could see the likes of Pablo Sarabia, Moise Kean, Rafinha and Colin Dagba all start.
In contrast, Bordeaux have very little in the way of injury concerns, with defender Mexer the only one to occupy a spot in the treatment room as he nurses a hamstring problem.
Loris Benito, Remi Oudin and Nicolas de Preville are all among those fighting for recalls to the first XI, but Gasset is unlikely to make many alterations from that hard-fought win over Rennes.
However, centre-back Pablo is back from a suspension and could slot straight back into the defence ahead of Paul Baysse.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Navas; Dagba, Kimpembe, Pereira, Kurzawa; Verratti, Herrera, Rafinha; Sarabia, Kean, Mbappe
Bordeaux possible starting lineup:
Costil; Kwateng, Pablo, Koscielny, Sabaly; Basic, Otavio; Oudin, Ben Arfa, Kalu; Maja
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Bordeaux
With both of these French giants boasting remarkable defensive records ahead of Saturday's clash, fans can typically expect to see the goals flying in at the Parc des Princes. PSG's medical room is slowly emptying at a crucial time for Tuchel, and while the German is expected to shuffle the pack ahead of next week's trip to Old Trafford, the champions should have the firepower needed to get the job done on Saturday.
