Paris Saint-Germain Travel to Montpellier in Clash of Top-Five Teams

Much in the same way they once captivated audiences during their impressive 2009-10 season, when Montpellier were at the top of the Ligue 1 table in April, Les Merlus are once again entertaining with their swashbuckling blend of play.

Current leaders on 16 points from seven matches, Montpellier will host the toast of the burgeoning Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain, Saturday in an early-season showdown.

It is a match that could give a much clearer picture of just how high PSG can ascend this season, one in which new owners Qatari Investment Authority have outlined a Champions League place as the absolute minimum.

After enduring a slow start, where a disappointing opening weekend loss at home to FC Lorient was followed by a nervy draw away to Stade Rennais, PSG have rattled off seven victories (four in league play, three in Europa League) out of a potential eight, with a 2-2 draw away to Evian Thonon-Gaillard last weekend the only hiccup during this impressive run.

Montpellier have been enjoying their own run of form, firing in 15 goals in seven league matches while accruing five victories, a draw and a defeat. They have yet to lose at home, having racked up eight goals in three games.

Olivier Giroud, once the scourge of Ligue 2 where he fired in 21 goals in 2009-10 while with Tours, has begun 2011-12 by banging in four for les Heraultais. He is a handful in attack, and did not feature in Montpellier's mid-week match. For a Paris team playing its fifth match in the span of two weeks, Giroud's fresh legs could provide real menace.

PSG have not managed to win at the Mosson in 12 years, yet offseason signee Kevin Gameiro is undaunted by the task ahead.

"It's going to be tough," Gameiro said. "We're taking on a very good Montpellier side that will get stuck into us. [But] if we manage to keep the team spirit we have shown then we can do something there. Every game is different.''

That spirit was tested during Wednesday's match at the Parc des Princes, where Gameiro and winger Nene had a bust-up over who was to take a first-half penalty against Nice. All seems settled, however, and the two have been consummate professionals in their handling of the matter.

Giroud has fired his own volley in the match build-up, saying that his Montpellier side have "nothing to lose."

Given their form at home, he may not be too far off the mark.