After two match days of the French Ligue 1, such favourites as Monaco, Lyon and Marseille have already dropped points. On the other hand, newcomers Reims and Nimes have a maximum of 6 points - exactly as many as the champions PSG!

Reims

In the 1950's, this club was a major European force. Just Fontaine, Raymond Copa and other European stars played for it, and Reims were runner-ups in the Champions Cup twice - in 1956 and 1959. Back at the time, the team was dominant in the French league, winning the title six times between 1949 and 1962.

But then the results went downhill. For many years, the glorious club was absent in the top division before making a comeback in 2012. Four years later, Reims were relegated again, but now it took them just two seasons to earn another promotion.

And they did it in style. Last season, the team coached by David Guion claimed 88 points and 22 wins - both are the new Ligue 2 records. 

After that success, some key players left the team - for example, last season's Ligue 2 MVP Diego Rigonato moved to UAE's Al-Dhafra, while the best scorer Theoson Siebatcheu was tempted by Rennes. So the coach now has to rebuild the team, and he has been doing it well. After winning at Nice in the opening round (1:0), Reims went on to sensationally defeat Lyon with the same score. So Guion's team have not conceded a goal so far - and successful results at the start should boost their morale. This team do not fear anyone...

Nimes

The Crocodiles, as they are called, have never won the French league, but they finished as runners-up in 1958, 1960 and 1972. But after 1992/93 season, they never played in the top division before making a long-awaited return this year. In Ligue 2, Nimes finished 15 points shy of Reims, but they confidently claimed the second place and so earned direct promotion.

The coach Bernard Blaquart had a good attacking line at his disposal, as Umit Bozok became Ligue 2 top scorer with 24 goals, and Rachid Alioui added 17 more. And in the elite, Numes' strikers do not feel shy - in two matches combined, they have scored 7 goals, which is the best result in the competition. Even PSG with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe has netted one time less!

Sada Thioub and Renaud Ripart are now the men to watch at Nimes, as both playes have already scored twice this season. In the opening match at Angers, the team showed character, moving the score from 1:3 to 4:3 in the final quarter of an hour. And one week later, Nimes confidently beat Marseille, who fielded three world champions (3:1). So just like Reims, Nimes have already upset a favourite, and they will try to continue in the same way.