The weekend so far has given us another win for PSG although Angers gave them a scare. Clermont got a good win over an in form Lille before Lyon got a huge win over Monaco.
Scores from this weekend so far:
PSG 2 V Angers 1
(Pereira 69, Mbappé 87 Pen) - (Fulgini 36)
Clermont Foot 1 V Lille 0
(N'Simba)
Lyon 2 V Monaco 0
(Toko Ekambi 75 Pen, Denayer 90)
Let’s see what Sunday brings.
Troyes V Nice - Kicks off at 12:00 - Live on BT Sport ESPN
Troyes are coming off a pretty bad result after a 2-0 away loss to inconsistent Nantes. Despite creating more chances and as many shots on goal as their opponents, Troyes couldn't score. Gerson Rodrigues and Renaud Ripart both forced the Nantes Keeper in to important saves. Poor marking from a corner saw ESTAC go 1 - 0 down. After giving a penalty away for handball Troyes were 2 - 0 down and couldn't get back in to the game. These are now worrying times for the newly promoted side. They have only one win in nine games, are 17th in the table and are yet to win at home. The last thing they need is a visit from in form Nice. There were times against Nantes where the Troyes defence tried to play offside and were undone by forwards with pace. Coach Laurent Battles will be desperate to sort that out as Nice have great pace and movement and will punish any similar mistakes.
It will be difficult to cope with Nice anyway but Troyes will be without some key players. Gerson Rodrigues is suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards, striker Yoann Touzghar ( 2 goals this season) remains a doubt with a foot injury and defender Karim Azamoum could be out until May with an ACL injury. We are still unlikely to see Veteran defender and former French International Adil Rami (pictured) play for the Club he signed for in the summer as a free agent. After a series of injuries Rami did finally play a reserve game recently but is not yet match fit. Troyes will continue to pick up points here and there. whether it will be enough to avoid the bottom three remains to be seen. They play some good football but I don't think they'll get anything here.
Nice outplayed Brest before the International break winning 2-1 in a more comfortable victory than the score line suggests. They had 70% of the possession and created 20 chances, nine of which were on target. Brest threatened to be overrun at times with wave after wave of Nice attacks. There was an impressive performance from Calvin Stengs who's movement, running on and off the ball and vision were a constant threat throughout the game.
The 22 year old Dutch Winger really should have got on the score sheet for the second successive game. He had a few chances one of which just clipped the bar. We also saw great movement and understanding between strikers Andy Delort and Amine Gouiri. It's a good sign for Christophe Galtier that his side are performing well without winger Justin Kluivert and and striker kasper Dolberg. Dolberg came on as a 78th minute substitute against Brest after missing recent games through injury.
Kluivert is likely to miss this one too with a muscle injury. The way Stengs is playing though it shouldn't make too much difference.
French Footy prediction: Troyes 1 V Nice 3
Bordeaux V Nantes - Kicks off at 14:00 - Live on BT Sport ESPN
Bordeaux were well beaten in their last game by an in form Monaco team. The match finished 3 - 0 which leaves Les Bordelais 16th in the table with just a solitary victory. New manager Vladimir Petkovic has his work cut out to turn his team's form around. Timothée Pembélé has been a bright spark in an otherwise difficult season for Les Girondins.
The young wing back had an early chance to score but took too long to get his shot away. The loanee from PSG is one of too few summer signings made by the club who continue to struggle financially. They have shown some fight this season to come back from one or two goals down and scored some fantastic individual goals. However they don't have any consistency and are not picking up enough points. They will still be without their Captain and influential centre back Laurent Koscielny who has an ankle injury and will also miss defender Stian Gregersen who is suspended. The worry for Petkovic is that against Monaco his side only created one chance on target. The ex-Switzerland manager has to find a way of creating chances for Striker Hwang Ui-Jo who's 11 goals last season kept his side in Ligue 1. Playing at the Stade De Bordeaux today is unlikely to give much advantage as Bordeaux's away form has been better then their home.
Nantes had a difficult start to the season but have found some form. Antoine Kombouaré's side have won three of their last four games in which time they became the first team to beat Angers this season. They have power and pace in attack and can break quickly through Moses Simon ( 1 goal 5 assists), Ludovic Blas (5 goals) and Randal Kolo Muani (2 goals, 2 assists). Les Canaris won their last match at home to Troyes 2 - 0. Kolo Muani had an early chance when he beat the offside trap and found himself one on one with the Keeper. Troyes’ Goalie came out on top and Nantes team were then indebted to their own Goalkeeper Alban Lafont.
The 22 year old made a string of quality saves to keep Troyes out. Nantes then took the lead on 58 minutes when Brazilian defender Andrei Girotto headed in from a corner for his second of the season. Once again it was Ludovic Blas who later made a difference by winning then converting a penalty. Blas is dangerous in attacking play and it was nice to see him playing in a number 10 role just behind Muani rather than wide on the right. He can be effective from the right but he looks more dangerous to me when tucked in behind the striker. Nantes seem to have a more balanced side than they did at the start of the season. New signings Wylan Cyprien and Willem Geubbels weren't initially fit after joining the club this summer. Cyprien was loaned from Parma in July and gives Nantes some experience in the midfield. Geubbels came on loan from Monaco at the end of the summer transfer window but has only featured in the past three games. The 22 year old can play on either wing but starting on the right means Blas can play further forward. I was expecting Nantes to struggle this season but improve on their 18th placed finish. If they can keep their players fit it will be interesting to see just how well they can do. Unfortunately Geubbels has picked up a muscle injury and is unlikely to feature here whilst centre back Jean-Charles Castelletto is suspended. That could have a bearing on this game.
French Footy prediction: Bordeaux 1 v Nantes 1
Strasbourg V Saint-Étienne - Kicks off at 14:00
Strasbourg have a good side but are another team struggling to get any level of consistency. They had two great wins in September over rivals Metz (3 - 0) and became the only team thus far to beat Lens (0-1). Since then they've lost at home to Lille (1-2) and drawn at Montpellier (1-1). Les Coureurs have great forwards in Ajorque, Diallo and Gameiro but struggle to create chances. They had just six opportunities to score against Montpellier only three of which were on target. I wonder at what point Julien Stéphan might dispense with five at the back and play a more attacking game to get the best out of his strikers. It’s possible to have an attacking team with five at the back, as Lorient have, but difficult if your strikers don’t have pace. Ajorque and Gameiro aren’t quick but they both finish well and are good in the air. With more crosses in to the box they’d score a lot of goals between them, as would Diallo who is quicker than either. Stéphan is a highly rated coach though and when he gets his own signings in we may see Strasbourg kick on. Against Montpellier Gameiro showed the quality of his finishing after finding space well in a crowded penalty area and smashing the ball past the Keeper.
La Stade De La Meinau has generated fantastic atmospheres in recent weeks whether Strasbourg have won, lost or drawn. The fans have been incredible without causing any trouble. A lot of Ligue 1 clubs could learn from them. Strasbourg will be again be without midfielder Adrien Thomasson after his red card against Lille a few weeks ago. Alexander Djiku will also be suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards.
We may have seen a huge turning point for Saint-Étienne after a horrendous run of form. I didn’t expect them to get anything from their game against Lyon but have stubbornly said for weeks I think they have the players to stay up. Under huge scrutiny and pressure a number of their players stood up and performed. Etienne Green made several good saves to keep his side in it whilst Wahbi Khazri was full of running and had a number of chances. The best of which came in the first half when he headed against the post. The Algerian striker did score later but VAR judged correctly that he was offside. It was a very close call. Following Lyon Goalkeeper Anthony Lopes’ second half sending off Les Verts went all out for the equaliser. They got their chance when they won a debatable penalty near the end of the game. This was a huge pressure penalty but Khazri held his nerve to score his fourth goal of the season.
The game finishing 1-1 gave Les Stephanois their fourth point of the season and saved Claude Puel’s job at least for a while. I am convinced this performance will be the catalyst Saint Etienne needed to turn their season around. They remain rooted to the bottom of the table but I think they may go on a little run of results.
French Footy prediction: Strasbourg 1 V Saint Etienne 1.
Brest V Reims - Kicks off at 14:00
As mentioned above Brest lost 2-1 at Nice last time out but were convincingly outplayed. They were lucky not to go behind several times before Goalkeeper Marco Bizot's mistake finally let Nice take the lead on 45 minutes. Bizot failed to claim the ball in his penalty area and paid the price. The Dutch Keeper did make amends in the second half saving well from a Gouiri shot. The Bretons highlight came when Franck Honorat pulled a goal back in stoppage time for his second goal of the season. Brest however will have to perform to a much higher standard if they are going to stay up. They are one of only two teams without a win this season and lie in 19th place with just 4 points after nine games. With that in mind they really need to go for that elusive win against another team that I think will be battling relegation come the end of the season. Michel Der Zakarian, who took over as Manager in the summer after coaching Montpellier for four years has a huge job on his hands here. He is lucky to still have Brest's best player Romain Faivre at his disposal. The attacking midfielder was heavily courted by A.C Milan in the summer and wanted to leave. Brest held on for a higher fee and the deal didn't happen. Faivre to be fair to him as continued to perform for Les Pirates scoring two goals and getting four assists. I can see Brest scoring goals if Der Zakarian can find a way of getting his team to create more chances. Faivre has the creativity, Honorat (pictured) the pace and Mounie the strength in the air to cause defences problems. I keep saying they are in a for a tough season and I didn't see enough in the game against Nice to change my mind..
Defender Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel is suspended for this one after accumulating several yellow cards. This is a winnable game and they have to go for it.
Reims had a bad day when they travelled to Lens a few weeks ago. They were in the game, although slightly under pressure, when youngster Hugo Ekitike was sent off for a high boot to the face of Kevin Danso. There was no intent from the 19 year old but it was dangerous play and the replays looked terrible. After consulting VAR the referee changed his initial yellow card to a red and gave the penalty. It's a shame for Ekitike who scored two in the previous game against Nantes and was looking lively against Lens too. He will now be suspended for this match at Brest and should be replaced by fellow 19 year old N'Dri Philippe Koffi (pictured below against Lorient).
Koffi was bizarrely not in the squad for the game at Lens despite, to my knowledge, not being injured. The young Ivoirien is one of many young players at Stade De Reims proving a lot of people wrong this season. Players like Ekitike and Koffi have come from the Clubs youth team whilst other promising youngsters like Alexis Flips and Ivan Kebbal have been picked up from other clubs who didn't value them. Selling on young players like Remi Oudin (Bordeaux), Axel Disasi (Monaco) and more recently Boulaye Dia (Villareal) is what keeps them going financially. I was sure they'd really struggle without Dia's goals this season but they play a nice brand of football under Garcia and pick up results here and there. Will it be enough to keep them up though? I still don't think so and I think without Ekitike they might struggle here even against a Brest side really in the mire.
French Footy prediction: Brest 1 V Reims 0
Metz V Rennes - Kicks off at 14:00
Things are not going well for Metz. A solitary win leaves them in 18th place just a point above winless Brest and Saint Etienne. They started well against Angers a few weeks ago taking the lead through a Dylan Bronn header. Bron made the most of some poor defending to head in following a set piece. They. were pegged back to 1-1 but retook the lead through an absolute gift from The Angers Goalkeeper who completely mis-kicked his clearance. Farid Boulaya could not miss and got his first goal of the season. Metz were soon pegged back again though then lost the match in the dying minutes. Les Grenats only managed to shots the whole game, both were gifted to an extent and they still lost which must be a worry for Manager Frédéric Antonetti. Antonetti's team looked to have turned a bit of a corner recently with a narrow defeat to PSG and their first win of the season at Brest. They are too easily outplayed though and it's going to be a long season for them. They will not be helped this weekend by having Dylan Bronn, midfielder Habib Maiga and right back Fabien Centonze suspended. Centonze has been one of their best players this season and is their top scorer on 3 goals.
Striker Ibrahima Niane is a doubt with a muscle injury. With that in mind it's difficult to see them getting anything against an in form Rennes team despite playing at home.
What a result and performance from Les Rennais becoming the first team to beat PSG this season. Bruno Génésio's team rode their luck in the first half with PSG having some clear chances and hitting the bar. Goalkeeper Alfred Gomis was alert enough to smother a few chances and Rennes caught Paris cold right on the stroke of half time. Gaetan Laborde got his fourth goal for the club, just getting the final touch from a misplaced clearance. Just a minute in to the second half Tait finished off a nice move to make it 2 - 0. Rennes played some confident passing football and thought they might get a third when Laborde won a penalty. A VAR check overruled it though. Despite riding their luck in the opening half an hour Les Rennais played well. They haven’t always got the results their performances have warranted this season. That result against the league leaders should give them the confidence to kick on. They have an excellent chance here to make it back to back league wins for the first time this season.
French Footy prediction: Metz 0 V Rennes 2
Montpellier V Lens - Kicks off at 1600 - Live on BT Sport ESPN
Montpellier picked up a point at home to Strasbourg in their last game. They opened the scoring after just 12 minutes with a fantastic left foot half volley from Florent Mollet. Mollet struck the ball sweetly from outside the area for his Second goal of the season. La Paillade were pegged back before half time but continued to crate chances in the second half. Germain had a great chance to make it 2-1 but headed on to his own knee. Teji Savanier almost scored a brilliant goal, wriggling left and right past defenders before forcing a save out of Marx Sels. Savanier, now Captain since Andy Delort’s departure to Nice, is leading by example and playing out of his skin.
Montpellier are without a win in four games but playing well and are good to watch. The attacking midfield three of Mavididi, Mollet and Savanier are full of movement and pace. I thought Montpellier were slightly on top in the game but there was an important goal line clearance from Arnaud Souquet and some big saves by Jonas Omlin. I wonder if Manager Olivier Dall'Oglio will be allowed to spend some of the money generated from the sale of Delort and Laborde in January. With a few clever signings Montpellier could really kick on. Alternatively if they don’t strengthen and lose any of their front four to injury they could struggle.
Lens had a comfortable 2-0 win in their last game over Reims. Although the game turned with the first half penalty and sending off of Reims’ Ekitike the result was in little doubt. The penalty was dispatched by Arnaud Kalimuendo. The 19 year old PSG loanee later got his second with a confident left foot finish after being nicely played in by Florian Sotoca. Sotoca is one of many Lens players to be on good form with two goals and three assists.
Franck Haise has put together a really good side who ate fully deserving of their second season place in Ligue 1.They have plenty of creative players but are defensively sound too. It’s a shame their last few home games at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis have been behind closed doors following crowd trouble. Defender Facundo Medina is unavailable for this game due to suspension whilst influential midfielder Gael Kakuta is out with a thigh injury.
French Footy prediction: Montpellier 1 V Lens 1
Marseille V Lorient - Kicks off at 19:45 - Live on BT Sport 2
There will be an incredible and emotionally charged atmosphere at the Stade Velodrome tonight. This is Marseille's first home game since the death of flamboyant ex President and Owner Bernard Tapie. Tapie ran Olympique De Marseille from 1986 to 1994 and oversaw the most successful period in the Clubs history ultimately winning the Champions League in 1993.
From there his fall from grace was dramatic following the Valenciennes-OM match fixing scandal. Despite that Tapie was revered by Marseille football fans and indeed most Marseille residents. Expect to see some spectular Tifos and hear a lot of noise in his honour. Tapie’s coffin was taken on to the Stade Velodrome pitch on Thursday 7th October before hundreds of supporters followed his funeral convoy on Friday last week as it made its way from the Vieux Port to the Cathedrale de la Major. Bernard Tapie had many faults. His drive to succeed surpassed laws, regulations and morals at times. However his hard work and vision gave many people in Marseille and France hope and pride. It should never be understated how important he is to the history of Olympique De Marseille.
In terms of this game Marseille must win. They've hit some patchy form despite playing well but their performance in their last game at Lille was poor. There was just not enough creativity. Cengiz Ünder tried to get things going from the right wing but there was noting clear cut. The Turk was sent off in the 77th minute after receiving his second yellow card. At 1 - 0 down the game was effectively over. The game and Lille showed us the best and worst of William Saliba. He didn't clear the ball when he should have which let Jonathan David score the opening goal but later made a brilliant sliding tackle to thwart Yilmaz from making it 2 - 0. L'OM were beaten 2 - 0 though in what was a disappointing team performance. They will be without the influential Ünder who is now suspended but will hopefully have Dimitri Payet back after his calf injury.
Lorient continue to defy the odds having lost just once this season whilst playing some nice attacking football. In their last game they drew at home to Clermont 1 - 1 but were surprisingly lacklustre going forward. Les Merlus had just a single shot on target which is unlike them given Coach Christophe attacking mind set. Luckily for them Lorient scored from that one chance. Defender Julien Laporte scored his first goal of the campaign with a 54th minute headed equaliser from a deep lying free kick. Lorient will look to create plenty of chances for their impressive young strikers Terem Moffi (2 goals, 2 assists) and Armand Laurienté (3 goals). Particularly against an inconsistent Marseille defence.
Lorient will be without midfielder Fabian Lemoine who is suspended. There should be plenty of attacking football on show in this one from both teams.
French Footy prediction: Marseille 2 V Lorient 1.
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