CS Constantine vs JS El Biar - Ligue 1

Few would have predicted the narrative arc that brings CS Constantine and JS El Biar together at the home ground on October 17, 2026, and the underdog storyline only adds to the Ligue 1 occasion. Manchester City face the K-League All-Stars in Seoul on Wednesday as part of their pre-season tour of Asia.

A glance at the Ligue 1 table tells the story: CS Constantine in 6th and JS El Biar in 12th, with positions to defend and places to climb. The hosts have done enough without setting the world alight, LWLLW over their last five and a 40% win rate to their name. On the road the visitors have looked devoid of inspiration, LDWLL in their last five and a win rate of 20% that makes for sobering reading. One side has leaned on a miserly defence, the other on a free-scoring attack, and the meeting of those contrasting strengths promises an intriguing tactical subtext. The on-loan Southampton striker had scored on his debut for Auxerre in defeat last weekend but followed it up with the winning goal against Nice to earn his old boss Will Still his first points in the job.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. CS Constantine will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while JS El Biar must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. And his efficiency in possession will be helped by those whom he now shares a dressing room with, allowing a more progressive midfielder to develop akin to City's style.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. But that goal against Bayern, the World Cup and the Ballon d'Or, feels a world away now.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. On balance, CS Constantine look well-placed to claim all three points, and a 3-2 home win would not come as a surprise. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the Ligue 1 picture. Paul Pogba has given his verdict(Image: @raushansays) Manchester City reportedly breached another Premier League regulation following their commanding 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, after manager Enzo Maresca failed to speak with radio broadcasters.