French Ligue 1 makes a return this week with PSG looking to keep the pressure on log leaders Monaco. Catch all the games dissected and previewed here….
Friday, 15 September
PSG 5/10 | Draw 38/10 | Nice 5/1
Nice registered their first win of the season when they beat Strasbourg before the break, and will now look to build on from that when they face PSG on Friday night. PSG sit in second place and are two points away from Monaco. They will head into this game with aims to hit the ground running and get back to their best after a shaky start to the season. Ahead of this game, PSG have scored in their last three games, while Nice will be concerned at their low scoring rate. PSG are the favourites here and are backed to Lead at Half-time – 9/10.
Saturday, 16 September
Rennes 11/10 | Draw 26/10 | LOSC 9/4
Stade Rennes will be looking for their second win of the season when they host fifth-placed Lille at Roazhon Park in the opening game on Saturday. Bot sides are separated by a point, but it is the visitors who will fancy their chances of a win here after edging past Montpelier in their last outing. For Rennes, a win here would elevate them to second spot if the teams above them on the tale fail to win. But with eight goals scored, I am inclined to go for a HOME WIN for Rennes at 11/10.
Lens 11/20 | Draw 7/2 | Metz 48/10
A bottom of the table clash is on the cards when Lens welcome Metz to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday evening. Both sides sit in uncomfortable positions on the log, with Lens still pursuing their first win of the season. They only have one point to their name after their draw with Rennes, and a win here would not make much of a difference to their position on the standings. Both sides have very fragile defences with no clear indication of where their goals will come from. I see a dull Draw here at 7/2.
Sunday, 17 September
Lorient 32/10 | Draw 29/10 | Monaco 8/10
Log Leaders Monaco have scored 13 goals in their opening 4 matches this season ahead of their encounter with Lorient who lie in the middle of the standings after four games played. The hosts are battling with consistency after playing very well to beat Lille 4-1 before being thrashed 3-0 by Le Havre in their last game. Having had a break, I expect them to start taking progressive steps towards the summit of the log, but they will first have to prove themselves against a strong Monaco side who are just scoring for fun at the moment. Highest Scoring Half: 2nd Half at 19/20.
Reims 17/20 | Draw 11/4 | Brest 3/1
Brest will be pleased with their position on the log after four games played. They have netted five times and are giving a good account of themselves this new season. They take on Reims on Sunday with both teams sitting on seven points. Here, they will look to bounce back to winning ways after being held to a goalless draw by Rennes in their last league clash. Go for Reims or Draw on the Double Chance – 2/9.
Clermont Foot 1/1| Draw 26/10 | Nantes 26/10
Two strugglers at the bottom-end of Ligue 1 clash as Clermont Foot get ready to host Nantes on Sunday. Both teams are yet to claim three points in a game this season, and will see this as a potential corner for them to turn. But trust Nantes to pounce here and steal a narrow win – 26/10.
Strasbourg 5/4 | Draw 26/10 | Montpellier 2/1
Lebo Mothiba’s Strasbourg have two wins and two defeats in the league ahead of their home encounter with Montpellier who sit in 14th position after a nervy start to the season. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in all their games so far, and are unlikely to hold off a persistent Strasbourg frontline. Their only win came when they put four goals past 10-man Lyon, and they now need to bounce back before dropping too low in the standings. Strasbourg or Draw on the Double chance at 5/4.
Marseille 5/10 | Draw 38/10 | Toulouse 48/10
Marseille will be eager to resume their title charge after getting two wins in their opening four games. They currently sit in third position and two points from leaders Monaco who they will face at the end of the month. But first, they must beat 12th – placed Toulouse who they host this Sunday in their return to league action. Toulouse will also be on a mission to redeem themselves after failing to win in their last three league matches. Marseille to win here but UNDER 2.5 GOALS.
Lyon 15/20 | Draw 3/1 | Le Havre 34/10
This season has started disastrously for Lyon who finished in seventh position last year after appointing Laurent Blanc to replace Peter Bosz. Blanc has since been sacked as the club sits at the bottom of Ligue 1 with no wins from four matches played. They face Le Havre who occupy 10th spot after recording their first win of the season in that thrilling 3-0 win over Lorient before the international break. I think Lyon’s troubles continue with a defeat at home here. Le Havre to claim all three points at 34/10.
