Troyes vs Strasbourg

Troyes' first Ligue 1 home fixture in three years already feels significant. After a battling 0-0 draw with Paris FC on opening weekend, Troyes sit 13th, while Strasbourg are bottom of the table following a chastening 4-0 defeat to Marseille and are already under pressure to respond. Troyes arrive with real momentum, having stormed to the Ligue 2 title behind the division's best attack, built around top scorer Tawfik Bentayeb and creative spark Martin Adeline. Strasbourg, now led by new coach Hugo Oliveira after Gary O'Neil's abrupt summer exit, are still adapting, with the long-term injury to talisman Joaquin Panichelli forcing a rebuilt attack around fresh faces like Omari Kellyman. The two clubs haven't met since 2022-23, the last time Troyes played in the top flight, and three of their last five encounters ended level, including a 1-1 draw. Our prediction: 1-1