It is a battle of the Ligue 1 new boys on Sunday, as last year's Ligue 2 rivals Clermont and Troyes face off again - but this time at the top table.

On paper at least, it is a battle between top of the league and a team in the relegation zone, after the two sides' respective results on the opening weekend, but expect a closely fought game at the Stade Gabriel Montpied.

Match preview

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Clermont's first-ever season in the French top flight got off to a dream start with a 2-0 win away at Bordeaux, which has left them joint-first in the league, tied with Angers on goal difference.

Whilst Bordeaux have not had the best time in the last three seasons, they are a dependable, long-term Ligue 1 team who finished in the top half for 12 of the 13 seasons between 2005 and 2018, so Clermont's victory - particularly away from home - is a significant statement of intent.

They will be looking to follow it up with another win against old foes Troyes. The pair battled it out for the Ligue 2 title last season, with ESTAC ultimately taking the crown by five points.

It is Clermont who are on the steeper trajectory, though, with last season's promotion coming somewhat out of the blue. The goalscoring ability of Mohamed Bayo - who found the net 22 times - certainly played a large part, but perhaps so too did consistency in the dugout, with Pascal Gastien in charge since 2017.

Les Lanciers made just four signings in the summer, ahead of their first crack at the big time, so consistency is potentially a policy in which they have total faith. It has certainly served them well to this point, with a strong pre-season meaning the victory over Bordeaux was their fifth consecutive win.

Troyes, on the other hand, have been here many times before, yo-yoing between Ligues 1 and 2 over the past decade - they spent no more than one consecutive year in each division between 2012 and 2018.

Their most recent return to the top flight threw them in very much at the deep end, with a visit from Paris Saint-Germain's superstars proving to be their opening fixture.

PSG were without some big names - Neymar and Angel Di Maria enjoying extended summer breaks after their Copa America exploits - and we still lived in a world where Lionel Messi was a free agent, but Troyes were clearly underdogs nonetheless.

They caught the visitors cold, going in front after just nine minutes when Dylan Chambost's left-footed corner was headed in by Oualid El-Hajjam for Troyes' first goal at home against PSG since 2006.

Ultimately, the big names produced the goods and came away with three points, but a 2-1 defeat is far from an embarrassment for a newly promoted side playing the league's biggest outfit and will give Troyes hope for this campaign.

They must follow up on that hope in games such as this one, though, and it will not be a simple task - Clermont have won four of their previous six Ligue 2 meetings with Troyes and will come into this game attack-minded with all guns blazing.

Team News

Clermont remain without Yohann Magnin, due to the midfielder's cruciate ligament rupture which was sustained in April, but he could return to training towards the end of September.

Salis Abdul Samed started against Bordeaux in Magnin's absence, providing energy and defensive nous in front of the back four, and will surely keep his spot after a strong performance in that opening game.

After successfully transitioning his goalscoring form from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1 at the first attempt, Bayo will lead the line again in a 4-2-3-1, flanked by Jim Allevinah and Jodel Dossou.

Troyes have a clean bill of health once again and so can pick their strongest possible starting XI as they attempt to clinch a first victory.

Laurent Batlles will likely stick with his tried and tested 3-5-2 formation, with Yoann Touzghar - who managed 16 goals in 36 league appearances last season - attempting to find the net for the first time this campaign.

Clermont possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Zedadka, Hountondji, Ogier, N'Simba; Gastien, Samed, Dossou, Berthomier, Allevinah; Bayo

Troyes possible starting lineup:
Gallon; Azamoum, El Hajjam, Giraudon; Kabore, Kouame, Tardieu, Chambost, Kone; Ripart, Touzghar

We say: Clermont 1-0 Troyes

Clermont look unstoppable at the moment and have the better record in the recent meetings between two. It will likely be a tight and edgy game - with both teams aware of the importance of a good result - but the home side should have enough to claim three points.

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