Strasbourg started the weekends fixtures with a convincing 3 - 0 win over Alsace neighbours Metz. Just Les Coureurs second win of the season which pushes them up to tenth and Metz bottom. Lens then beat their closest Northern rivals 1 - 0 to continue their good form and heap more misery on Les Dogues who now have just one win in six. The bottom of the table clash between Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux went the visitors way. A 2 - 1 win pushes Bordeaux up to 14th whilst hapless Saint-Etienne remain 19th only on goal difference. Let's see what Sunday gives us.
Nice V Monaco - Kicks off at 1200 - Live on BT Sport 3
Yet another Derby this weekend! The Derby "de la Cote d'Azur" sees one team cruising and the other battling for form. Nice continued their impressive start to the season with a 2 - 0 win at Nantes last week. Christophe Galtier’s side remain unbeaten and are one of few teams in Europe yet to concede a goal. It’s a shame for them that the recent crowd trouble means this match will also be played without fans and they have been docked a point with another point suspended. I imagine the suspended point will become active if there is more issues when fans are let back in to the Allianz Riviera Stadium. How costly could that point/points be at the end of the season? Nice won at Nantes last weekend despite being under pressure for large parts of the game. Les Aiglons seemed to miss a little of their cutting edge in part due to Winger Justin Kluivert being out. The Dutchman will miss this game too with a thigh injury. In the end Nice did what they do best, hitting their opponents on the break, with speed and scoring twice. Kasper Dolberg finished the first, chesting the ball over the line from close range. Amine Gouiri then finished things off five minutes later with his fourth goal of the season.
Dolberg and Gouiri could be one of the best partnerships of the season and already have seven league goals between them. New signing Andy Delort made his debut coming on for Stengs on the 78th minute. The ex-Montpellier forward had an immediate impact setting up Gouiri for Nice’s second. Apart from the crowd trouble everything is going right for Nice. They are strong at the back and attack with great movement and pace. How far can they go this season?
Monaco are still struggling. Like Lille they just cannot really get going. They lost at home to Marseille last week by two goals to nil. More worryingly they managed no shots on target. They have a very good strike partnership of Kevin Volland and Wissam Ben Yedder but are not creating enough chances for them. Niko Kovač's side were brilliant last season and, again like Lille, have largely the same squad. For some reason it's just not clicking for them this season. Les Monegasques have found it difficult to manage their domestic matches alongside their European campaign. However they did manage to win in midweek with a 1 - 0 Europa League home victory against Sturm Graz. Krepin Diatta got the goal in a game Monaco were expected to win.
A draw wouldn’t be a bad result for Monaco here but it will be difficult against a strong Nice side.
Frenchfooty prediction: Nice 1 V Monaco 0
Angers V Nantes - Kicks off at 1400 - Live on BT Sport ESPN
Not exactly a Derby but two teams from West France facing each other. Both sides would have been expected to struggle this season but Angers under new Manager Gérald Baticle are proving everyone wrong. They are one of only four teams to remain unbeaten over the first five games with three wins and two draws. They are playing some attractive football and are particularly impressive on the break. Baticle has his side organised and defending well. Angers have only conceded twice so far this season and have the best defensive record in the league. It's early days but they are defying expectations up to now. Last week Les Scoïstes got a creditable draw at Brest with Goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni making some impressive saves to keep them in it early on.
The match finished 1 - 1 with a penalty for each side. Can Angers keep this run going? They have a tough midweek match coming up at it arseille so will want to get something here. It's exciting to see the development of their strike partnership of the experienced Sofiane Boufal (2 goals this season) and the teenage prodigy Mohamed-Ali Cho (1 goal).
Nantes have just one win so far and sit 14th in the table with just 4 points. They lost 2 - 0 at home to high flying Nice last week but gave a good account of themselves. They had a lot more chances than their opponents but just couldn’t finish. Moses Simon and Randal Kolo Muani both had good chances with the latter hitting the bar. Kolo Muani (pictured) is a handful on his day but has just the one goal so far this season.
The missed chances cost Nantes with Nice counter attacking well and winning 2 - 0. Antoine Kombouaré's side will have to be more clinical if they are to survive this season. I wonder if we’ll see Wylan Cyprien start this match. The midfielder signed in the summer but due to injury hadn't featured until the 87th minute of the game against Nice. Cyprien may give Les Canaris a bit of experience and dynamism in midfield. Frenchfooty prediction: Angers 1 V Nantes 1
Troyes V Montpellier - Kicks off at 1400
Troyes got their first win of the season last week with a 2 - 0 win at Metz. ESTAC were happy to give the Lion's share of the possession to Metz but were rarely troubled apart from a shot from distance that crashed off the bar. In the second half new signing Gerson Rodrigues scored on his debut with a nice mid air side foot volley.
A great way for the 26 year old Luxembourg International to start his career in French Football. Rodrigues can play on either wing or up front but performed well on the right here. He was set up nicely by Left Winger Xavier Chavalerin who went on to get the second, catching Metz on the break. It was also Chavalerin's first goal for Troyes after his summer move from Reims. The win was well deserved by Laurent Batlles' side who have played well this season without getting the results. It's clear Troyes are moving in the right direction and Batlles' new signings are settling in nicely.
Montpellier got their second win of the season last week over Saint-Etienne. The victory was significant as it was the first game without either of their formidable strike pairing of Andy Delort and Gaetan Laborde. The two prolific goal scorers left for Nice and Rennes respectively before the transfer window closed on the 31st August. Montpellier boss Olivier Dall'Oglio must have been delighted to see youngster Stephy Mavididi and new signing Valère Germain step up to the challenge and score one each.
It's clear Mavididi has talent but he hasn't always started in the first eleven despite scoring nine goals last season. He started against Les Verts on the left wing with Germain spearheading the attack. Mavididi finished cleverly, passing the ball through two defenders and in to the bottom corner of the net. The 23 year old Englishman later made a great run from his own half to beat two defenders and cross for Germain to finish on his debut. Another pleasing facet of this match for La Paillade is that they got their first clean sheet of the season. With Andy Delort gone Dall'Oglio has given the Captaincy to Teji Savanier. The attacking midfielder has stepped up his performances, pulling the strings behind the striker and constantly causing problems for the opposition. If Dall'Oglio can continue to get the best out of Mavididi, Germain and Savanier then Montpellier will be completely justified in selling their two best players. A decision that two weeks ago seemed like madness.
Frenchfooty prediction: Troyes 1 V Montpellier 1
Clermont Foot V Brest - Kicks off at 1400
Clermont received their first defeat of the season last weekend at Les Parc Des Princes. There is no shame in losing to Paris at the best of times but Clermont were also without star Striker Mohamed Bayo. Bayo was, according to his Club, suffering from extreme fatigue due at least in part to the military coup that has recently occurred in Guinea. Although Bayo was born in Clermont Ferrand, he has family in Guinea who he represents Internationally. It could be that he doesn't play today either. If that's the case he will be a big miss as he already has three goals and two assists in four games this season.
If Bayo doesn't play then either Hamel or Rashani could start up front. Hamel is the more natural central forward but I was surprised he got the nod over Rashani for the Paris game. Rashani has three goals and an assist this season and was unlucky to not at least start in his favoured left wing position. Although Pascal Gastien's team were well beaten by Paris (4 - 0) they gave a good account of themselves and created chances. At home and hopefully with Bayo back they should get something from this game.
Brest got a much needed point last week after losing two league games on the bounce. A draw against the unbeaten Angers was not a bad result although they may have hoped for more after Romain Faivre put them one up from the spot on 62 minutes. The attacking midfielder has possibly been Les Pirates' best player so far this season. This was his first goal but he has two assists in five games and a lot Brest's attacks go through the 23 year old.
Brest Manager Michel Der Zakarian will be hoping his team can be more clinical. They created chances against Angers but couldn't convert. The Bretons will be without defender Jere Uronen who has an ankle injury but more worryingly without Striker and Captain Steve Mounié. Brest are on an awful run of no wins in their last nine league games. That could continue here.
Frenchfooty prediction: Clermont Foot 1 V Brest 1
Reims V Lorient - Kicks off at 1400
Reims got a great win last week and their first of the season at Rennes. Rennes have had a difficult start but I fully expected them to beat Reims. Stade De Reims have had a much better start than I expected with 6 points from 5 games and only one loss, against PSG. New Reims Manager Óscar García has his team playing some nice football which was highlighted by their first goal last weekend. A nicely worked move was finished off by 19 year old Hugo Ekitike who scored his first goal for the Club's first team. The youngster was born in Reims and promoted from the youth team this season. He started this match up front alongside Van Bergen but can also play on either wing.
Ekitike was substituted by another 19 year old in N'Dri Philippe Koffi. Koffi is also a product of the Stade De Reims youth set up and had a debut to remember in scoring the second. This came from a quick counter attack that finished off brilliantly after coming off the left wing. García will not be able to rely on his youngsters week in week out so I still think Reims will struggle.
Lorient continue to defy everyone and keep getting results. Their only loss in five was at free scoring Montpellier. Last week they beat Lille 2 - 1 with goals from their dynamic strike force Armand Laurienté and Terem Moffi.
Both 22 year olds are strong, pacey and can finish. Each has two goals this season with Moffi also having two assists. It's easy to see why Manager Christophe Pélissier plays five at the back when he has the speed of these two to break with so quickly. Les Merlus will again be without experienced defender Jeremy Morel. The 37 year old is carrying a thigh injury that has kept him out of the last few games. The good news for Pélissier is young midfielder Enzo Le Fée is back in contention after missing the last two games with an ankle problem. Le Fée is a good passer of the ball and particularly adept at delivery from set pieces so if fully fit he may go straight back in to the team.
Frenchfooty prediction: Reims 1 V Lorient 1
Marseille V Rennes - Kicks off at 1600 - Live on BT Sport ESPN
Marseille are flying in the league and had a great 2 - 0 win at Monaco last weekend. Goals seem to coming easily for Les Marseillais but Manager Jorge Sampaoli must be delighted to have see their first clean sheet of the season. The win will have been all the more pleasing given came without talisman Dimitri Payet. Payet has been in great form this season but was banned due to his retaliation following crowd trouble at Nice a few weeks ago. Sampaoli brought in young Striker Cheikh Dieng in to the side for his first start of the season. The 22 year old scored both goals also hitting the post and causing Monaco all sorts of problems with his pace. Dieng is a product of the Diambar Institute in Saly, Senegal. The institute was set up in 2003 by Bernard Lama and Patrick Vieira amongst others and later (2019) set up a partnership with Olympique De Marseille.
There was also a debut for Moroccan attacking midfielder Amine Harit who signed for L'OM on the 2nd September. Harit has experience of Ligue 1 having played for Nantes but joined Marseille on a season long loan from Shalke. He performed well against Monaco setting up Dieng for his second goal. Harit and Dieng seemed to quickly find a connection with Dieng often attacking from a wide left position and Harit pushing up front as a false 9. It's a shame Marseille could not replicate their clinical finishing in the midweek Europa League game at Lokomotiv Moscow. Les Marseillais dominated the match and went 1 - 0 up in the 59th minute when Cengiz Ünder won then converted a penalty. With Lokomotiv down to ten man from that point on Marseille should easily have seen the game out. They were pegged back though by an 89th minute equaliser. It was a disappointing result given that they will face harder games in the group stage. Marseille are playing well though, creating lots of chances and will have Payet back for this game. It will be interesting to see if Sampaoli tries to for Dieng, Harit and Payet in to the starting eleven. Strangely long standing Goalkeeper and Captain Steve Mandanda was dropped for the last two games. Mandanda has made a few mistakes this season but he is a decent Keeper and a good servant to Marseille. Will Sampaoli pick Pau López over the fans favourite for the third match running?
Rennes seem to be very much like Lille this season in that they have a good squad of players but just can't get their season going. Les Rennais have just the one league win so far and lost at home last week against Reims. They were susceptible to Reims' counter attacks which saw them undone for the second goal they conceded. They dominated possession but only created one chance on target. Benjamin Bourigeaud saw his free kick crash back off the bar but there was too little attacking threat. Manager Bruno Génésio saw a much better performance from his team on Thursday with the 2 - 2 Europa League draw at home to Tottenham. Les Rennais controlled large parts of the game and scored a very well worked goal through Flavien Tait. New signing Gaetan Laborde got his first goal for the club after Sulemana's shot was only parried.
Laborde is a prolific goal scorer and will be a great signing for Rennes. It's a pity for them that young Winger Jeremy Doku is still unavailable with a hamstring injury. Les Rennais have a well balanced squad and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they turn their form around. Marseille should have too much for them though.
Frenchfooty prediction: Marseille 3 V Rennes 1
PSG V Lyon - Kicks off at 1945 - Live on BT Sport 2
PSG were missing Messi, Neymar Jr and Icardi last week at home to Clermont so it was interesting to see who’d start up front with Mbappe also carrying a knock. Mbappé did start though and spearheaded the attack flanked by Rafinha and Draxler. Clermont we’re in the game but Mauricio Pochettino‘s team were clinical running out 4 - 0 winners. I thought it would be much closer but the Parisians can win no matter what players they are missing. With that in mind you’d have expected Club Brugge to get destroyed in the Champions League tie on Wednesday. That wasn’t the case as the Belgian side gave Paris a game and deservedly get a 1 - 1 draw. The first time we saw the front three of Mbappe, Messi and Neymar didn’t set fireworks off. The highlight was Ander Herrera getting his third goal in two games with a nice first time finish.
Messi did show glimpses of his magic with a run and shot that clipped the bar. It will again be interesting to see how Pochettino sets up his starting eleven this weekend. Kylian Mbappé went off against Brugge after receiving another knock and doesn’t seem to be fully fit. I’d expect him to play a part but will he start? Gianluigi Donnarumma made his debut in goal against Brugge but will he start again in place of Navas who has performed well? There will be fireworks at some point from PSG’s famous front three. Will they set off a bang this weekend?
Lyon have hit form after starting slowly. They now have three win straight wins after winning 2 - 0 at Glasgow Rangers on Thursday in the Europa League tie. Les Lyonnais are also getting goals from Moussa Dembele who scored his fourth of the season last week in the 3 - 1 home win to Strasbourg. There were also goals in that game for Centre back Jason Denayer and midfielder Lucas Paqueta who got his second of the season.
Xerdan Shaqiri made his debut for the club and caped a decent performance with a great ball for Denayer to head in. Centre Back Jerome Boateng also made his debut coming on to the pitch on the hour. Manager Peter will still be without influential right back Leo Dubois who has a calf injury. More worryingly Moussa Dembele is carrying a muscle injury and could be a doubt. If he plays Lyon could nick a point here and give the rest of the League hope that PSG aren’t going to walk over everyone this season. If Brugge can do it Lyon can. It will be very difficult though.
Frenchfooty prediction: PSG 2 V Lyon 2.
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