AFAD vs SOA - Ligue 1

The history between AFAD and SOA lends this Ligue 1 fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on October 4, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. The 74-year-old Hoops boss admitted that "it'll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I'm nervously and excitedly looking forward to it; it's a great fixture" and also spoke about the police visit.

Both AFAD and SOA will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Ligue 1. AFAD will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. If you're Arsenal and wanting to win the Premier League, and you take six points off those teams, then you're near-on winning the Premier League.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. AFAD will look to impose their style on home soil, while SOA are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. Andoni Iraola could not have been clearer about how he plans to change Liverpool when speaking in his opening press conference.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Priske's winner against Swansea came after a set-piece found Vicente and he squared the ball for the striker.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. The team currently most likely to win the 2026 WNBA Finals according to Opta.