Concerns continue to rise for reigning champions PSG after a mixed start to the new Ligue 1 season. They lie fifth and are slowly falling off the title race with Monaco running away with it. Here’s week 6!
Friday, 22 September
23/20 Monaco | Draw 5/2 | Nice 11/5
Nice and Monaco raise the curtain on the return of Ligue 1 this Friday night. They clash at the Stade Louis II with Monaco aiming to get back to winning ways after being held to a 1-1 stalemate away to Lorient on Sunday. At one point, they led in that match but were undone by a late Romain Faivre equaliser to secure one point for the hosts. Against a stubborn Nice side, they could also find themselves getting shocked at home. But they win here. First Team to Score – Monaco.
Saturday, 23 September
11/8 Nantes | Draw 23/10 | Lorient 19/10
Nantes have not lost in their last three league encounters ahead of their meeting with Lorient on Saturday afternoon. The hosts will look to build on their win over Clermont on the weekend, where they edged them by a 48-minute goal from Simon Moses. Meanwhile, Lorient are in 12th spot but have also won just one game this season. They had to score late to salvage a draw against Monaco last time out and should come out looking for a win here as they aim to maintain the pressure on the teams above them. I see a DRAW here.
6/4 Brest | Draw 5/2 | Lyon 13/8
Second-placed Brest will be looking for a fourth win of the season when they welcome strugglers Lyon to the Stade Francis-Le Ble in the last game on Saturday. Lyon are still winless after five games played, while Brest have surprised many this season – winning three games and racking up 10 points in their opening five matches. The visitors are clear underdogs in this one, with Brest unbeaten at home this term. Trust Brest to maintain that perfect home record with a win here. Under 2.5 goals is the play.
Sunday, 24 September
15/8 Metz | Draw 85/40 | Strasbourg 29/20
Strasbourg get us underway on Sunday when they visit 7th placed Metz in a mid-table clash. Metz have not lost in their last four league matches and have gelled quite well as a team – scoring a goal or more in their last seven matches. Strasbourg will look to give them trouble though, with the in-form South African Lebo Mothiba looking to add to his goal tally. Metz have been impressive in defence, and a win here would see them climb higher up the log and closer to Monaco. They are backed on the home win.
4/6 Lens | Draw 14/5 | Toulouse 7/2
Lens sit at the bottom of the log with one point to their name after five games played. They are in action against Toulouse at home on Sunday as they look to get off the mark. Toulouse sit in 13th spot with six points and are also showing signs of struggling after failing to build on from their sole win of the new campaign. We could have a dull game in our hands here, but I’d still go for the away win for Toulouse.
11/8 Le Havre | Draw 85/40 | Clermont Foot 2/1
Clermont Foot are joined by Lens and Lyon in the winless club so far this season. They take on Le Havre at the Stade Oceane on Sunday as they look to get their first three points. But their display on the pitch has been very disappointing and a win is going to be difficult to come by if they continue to play like this. I will go for a win here but Both Teams to Score is the best.
31/20 Montpellier | Draw 12/5 | Rennes 6/4
Montpellier face Stade Rennes at home as they look to register their second win of the season after a rocky start. Rennes have hit a stag and have drawn their last four matches ahead of this encounter. I think they too will be looking to add to their opponents’ misery by going for the win here. But credit to Rennes who always seem to find the back of the net in their matches. Both Teams to Score.
3/5 PSG | Draw 16/5 | Marseille 15/4
PSG have been misfiring in this new campaign, with teams now growing more and more confident when facing them. Their next league encounter sees them host Marseille who sit in third position after two wins and a draw. Marseille is also undefeated this season but that may count for very little against the team that always brings out the best in them. PSG were outclassed by Nice on Friday, but star man Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace. I think he scores again here against Marseille, but a win is not guaranteed. Go for the draw.
Tuesday, 26 September
21/20 LOSC | Draw 13/5 | Reims 85/40
Lille and Reims round up Ligue 1’s week 6 with a clash at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. They will both be looking to bounce back to winning ways after failing to do so on the weekend. Lille will need to be sharp against a tricky Reims side who have managed to score in all their league games played so far, while also focusing on adding to their goal tally this season. LOSC Lille for the win.
