Ligue 1 Preview - Week 4

Last week saw some great goals and surprising results then resulted in Chaos at the Allianz Riviera. Let's hope we get more of the former in calmer circumstances this weekend.

Nantes V Lyon - Kicks off at 2000 - Friday 27th August - Live on BT Sport 2

Nantes had their first loss of the season last week at Rennes. It was a disappointing result and performance after what had been a decent start to the season. Antoine Kombouaré's side were dominated by the Bretons and were only able to create one chance on goal. That chance came from Ludovic Blas who's left foot shot was pushed on to the post.

Nantes' Goalkeeper Alban Lafont made some important saves during the game but was beaten a little easily from a long range shot. Les Canaris will need a bit more more from both Blas and Lafont if they are to get anything from Friday nights opponents Lyon. Nantes missed the pace of Randal Kolo Muani who is out with a calf injury. Muani, who scored two weeks ago in the win against Metz could miss the Lyon game too. Les Nantais were overrun in midfield at times by Rennes last weekend. New signing Wylan Cyprien may help in that regard but is yet to play as is struggling with a Muscle injury. He is unlikely to play against Lyon either.

Lyon had a much better attacking performance last weekend at home to Clermont. Unfortunately for them they let a 3 - 1 lead slip to draw 3 - 3. There were signs that Lyon are moving in the right direction under new Manager Peter Bosz. Most importantly Les Gones have Moussa Dembele scoring again. The 25 year old won and scored the Penalty that put his team 1 - 0 up. He then scored his second on 21 minutes. With Memphis Depay leaving for Barcelona in the Summer it is essential for Lyon to have a regular Goalscorer. Dembele getting off the mark will be a huge boost for both Player and team. Lyon's third goal was a great team effort. A series of one touch passes was finished off nicely by Lucas Paquetá. That they couldn't hold on to the lead will be a source of huge frustration to Bosz who must have been sure he was getting his first win as Lyon Boss. There are other positives other than their goal scoring. New signing Emerson made his debut at left back and Xherdan Shaqiri has signed this week from Liverpool for a fee of 6 Million Euros. Shaqiri has never been a regular starter for the big Clubs he's played at; Bayern Munich and Inter Milan as well as Liverpool. He could be effective for Lyon if he starts regularly as he did at Stoke. It's unlikely he'll feature this weekend but could well make his debut at home to Strasbourg on the 12th September, after the International break.

It will be interesting to see if attacking midfielder Houssem Aouar. starts after being linked heavily with Arsenal and Tottenham this week. Nantes will be stubborn in this game but I would think Lyon will have too much for them.

Frenchfooty prediction: Nantes 1 V Lyon 2

Nice V Bordeaux - Kicks off at 1600 - Saturday 28th August

Everyone at Nice will be hoping for a quieter afternoon that last weeks madness v Marseille. After Nice's home fans continuously threw objects on to the pitch then attacked Marseille players this match will be played without fans. Further punishments will be discussed when the LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel) Ligue 1's governing body, meets again on the 8th September. The league has yet to decide what the outcome of last weeks game will be. Nice were leading that match 1 - 0 with 15 minutes to go. LFP rules state that if a team refuses to return to a match then the opposing team is automatically given a 3 - 0 win. This will surely not be the case as serious injury could have occurred to any of the players, fans and officials had the game been restarted. I can only see that it would have incited things further. Les Aiglons will be playing in an empty Allianz Riviera Stadium as if the Covid restrictions were back.

Christophe Galtier will try and keep his team calm for a match, that in normal circumstances, I would expect them to be favourites in. Les Niçois will be without right back Youcef Atal who has a thigh injury. Striker Kasper Dolberg will be looking to get his fourth goal in three games although we don't know if last week's goal will stand. Nice look very good on the break and winger Justin Kluivert (pictured above) is particularly exciting to watch when dribbling with the ball.

Bordeaux have improved of late with draws at Marseille then at home to Angers last week. Young Striker Sékou Mara got his first goal of the season against Angers with a low shot that completely wrongfooted the Goalkeeper. Les Bordelais have had plenty of transfer activity this week. Midfielder Toma Basic left to join Roma for a fee of around £6 Million. Meanwhile Right Winger Alberth Elis has come in on loan from Boavista and Midfielder Fransérgio Barbosa has come in from Braga. It's unlikely either will pay at Nice this weekend.

There has also been talk of Les Bordelais being interested in 22 Brazilian forward Vitinho from Athletico Paranaense. Whether he comes in before the transfer window shuts at the end of this month we shall see. After a lot of turmoil on and off the pitch Bordeaux finally seem to be moving in the right direction. They still have players like Josh Maja to come back from injury. Without Basic or their new signings another draw wouldn't be a bad result for them. However if Nice can just concentrate on football then they should win.

Frenchfooty prediction: Nice 2 V Bordeaux 1.

Marseille V Saint Etienne - Kicks off at 2000 - Saturday 28th August

The outcome of last week’s madness in relation to Marseille is the suspension of fitness coach Pablo Fernandez from the bench and other professional functions, until further notice. Further punishment, perhaps to the players who reacted aggressively to the Nice fans, could be announced on the 8th September. For now though Marseille have a similar squad to choose from to last week. Pol Lirola could feature after signing another year season long loan from Fiorentina last week. Lirola was very effective for L'OM last season with attacking runs from the right side. He is a versatile player who was used as right back, wing back and right midfield for the Phoenicians. If Sampaoli keeps his 3 - 2 -4 - 1 formation it will be interesting to see where Lirola fits in.

Central defender Leonardo Balerdi is still banned after his sending off two weeks ago against Bordeaux. Álvaro González will probably continue in his absence. Striker Arkadiusz Milik, given the number 9 shirt this week, could still be out with a knee injury. There should be a charged atmosphere at the Velodrome for this game. Marseille fans will be welcoming and fiercely encouraging to their players after what happened last weekend. If Sampaoli and his more emotional players like González, Payet and Guendouzi can keep their heads, they are capable of getting a much needed win here. Until we know what the outcome of last weekends game is Marseille remain on four points after three games.

Saint-Étienne have still not made any signings but Manager Claude Puel is getting performances out of his young team. They have three draws in three games and carry a threat particularly on the counter attack. They won this fixture 2 - 0 last season catching Marseille on the break twice with goals from Hamouma and Bouanga. Les Verts have an established front three with Wahbi Khazri flanked by Bouanga and Hamouma. Arnaud Nordin is very quick and can be effective from the bench. Les Stephanois are well set up to counter attack which could undo Marseille. Puel must be pleased with the emergence of his young players. Etienne Green (can there be a better name for a Saint Etienne player?) has performed well with consistent displays in goal and young defender Saïdou Sow scored his first goal for the Club in last week's 1 - 1 draw at Lille.

Green was actually born in Colchester to an English Father and French Mother. He has represented France at under 21 level but this week declared his International allegiance to England. It will be interesting to see his career unfold.

Frenchfooty prediction: Marseille 2 V Saint Etienne 2.