AJ Auxerre - FC Lorient

- Kick-off: 19:00 GMT

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Lorient finished 16th last season, just four points above the relegation play-off place, but they have made a brilliant start to the current campaign under new head coach Régis Le Bris, and sit fourth in the table after seven games played.

Apart from a 5-2 loss to RC Lens in Round 5, les Merlus are undefeated this season, and have won each of their last three and four of their last five. Another three-point haul and they will pull level with leaders PSG and their closest pursuers Olympique de Marseille, albeit having played a game more.

Dango unchained

Where Le Bris' predecessor Christophe Pélissier used wingbacks for much of last season, the new man's width comes from his attacking players, and Dango Ouattara in particular has thrived, with seven goal involvements from his seven games so far.

Watch: Highlights of Lorient's 3-2 win over Nantes

The last two of those came on Sunday, the Burkinabé attacker scoring one and setting up another as Lorient beat FC Nantes 3-2 at the Stade du Mustoir. It was a scoreline that flattered Nantes, with Moses Simon getting a consolation goal five minutes from time.

"I'm very happy, with the run of games we've had, to be able to pick up points," said Le Bris. "We're happy to see the passion and the team spirit that's being created. For us, this is an exceptional moment that we're living to the full. We're progressing game by game and reaping the results. It's super positive."

Quentin Boisgard and Igor Silva are struggling with thigh injuries, but Le Bris also has a near spotless injury list, and little reason to change his winning formula.

A frosty welcome

Auxerre are back in Ligue 1 Uber Eats after 11 years away. The 1996 champions also made a positive start to the season, rebounding from their opening day 4-1 loss at LOSC to hold Angers SCO before beating Montpellier Hérault SC and RC Strasbourg Alsace.

But things have taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks, Jean-Marc Furlan's men losing each of their last three games against admittedly formidable opponents for a promoted side in Olympique Lyonnais, Marseille and Stade Rennais FC.

Watch: Highlights of Auxerre's 5-0 loss in Rennes

Last Sunday's 5-0 loss to Rennes was their heaviest defeat yet. Auxerre haven't been helped by injuries to strikers Gaëtan Charbonnier (broken leg) and Nuno da Costa (hamstring), but Furlan wasn't in the mood for excuses after that reverse.

Furlan: 'a long season'

"We're entirely responsible for this heavy defeat," he said. "Marseille and Lyon both scored twice against us but against Rennes all five goals were because of big individual errors. But I'm not angry. When you see the gap between our budget and that of other teams, you stay quiet. Now we have to keep their heads up as it's going to be a long season."

As well as Charbonnier and Da Costa, Auxerre are without centre-back Julian Jeanvier and left-back Théo Pellenard due to an ankle injury and torn cruciate ligament respectively. Furlan might not rotate that heavily despite the chastening Rennes defeat.

Possible teams

Auxerre: Costil; Joly, Jubal, Coeff, Mensah; Touré; Sinayoko, Sakhi, Raveloson, Perrin; Niang

Lorient: Mvogo; Kalulu, Laporte, Talbi, Le Goff; Abergel, Innocent; Diarra, Le Fée, Ouattara; Moffi