France’s Ligue 1 is attracting more and more football lovers around the world. The quality of the game is increasing at a large scale and getting more technical. This week is no different as we have some exciting matchups to look out for.
Friday 29 September
Strasbourg 13/5 | Draw 12/5 | Lens 21/20
Strasbourg played away in their previous match against Metz and a late goal by Mouhamadou Diarra was enough to secure maximum points. The Blue and Whites are up to fifth place and three points behind early leaders Brest. Playing at home will encourage them to go all out for a win.
Lens have had a horror start to the new campaign and after six games and occupy 16th spot with four points. French native Franck Haise will know how important this fixture is and will want to pick up maximum points and get back to their very best and move out of the relegation zone. Strasbourg are in better form and have home ground advantage, back the home win.
Saturday 30 September
Clermont Foot 11/2 | Draw 7/2 | PSG 4/9
Clermont have the worst record to the start of the new campaign and sit dead last with just a single point after six games. The Lancers are on a five-match winless streak coming into this fixture and I can’t see how they will get a positive result against the mighty PSG.
PSG have not hit the ground running as yet with new head coach Luis Enrique at the helm. The Parisians were outstanding and cruised to victory in their previous fixture, winning 4-0 against Marseille. Enrique will expect nothing less than maximum points in this encounter. PSG to win at over 2.5 goals.
Monaco 6/5 | Draw 11/4 | Marseille 19/10
Folarin Balogun failed to convert two penalties which could have got his team the win after they conceded a late goal in extra time that gave Nice the unexpected win. Adi Hutter and his team are on a two-match winless streak and will want to avoid a second consecutive loss on home soil.
It was not to be for Marseille after they got smashed 4-0 in their previous outing against French giants PSG. They are facing issues off the pitch which is having a bad effect on the players and is now showing on the field of play. A huge performance is required on the day to restore their belief and confidence. Both teams coming into this fixture on the back of a loss but I see Monaco coming away with the victory on home soil.
Sunday 1 October
Toulouse 21/20 | Draw 23/10 | Metz 5/2
Toulouse are their own worst enemy at this point and are struggling to get positive results. Toulouse have not won in five matches and are yet to record a victory in their own back yard. Carles Martínez will need his best players to show up on the day in hopes of picking up maximum points.
Metz have picked up eight points after six league matches. They controlled proceedings in their previous match but could not create many scoring opportunities. More creativity and a strong striking force could help rack up maximum points in this fixture. Both teams desperate for a victory at this point and I see the away team picking up maximum points.
Nice 8/11 | Draw 13/5 | Brest 10/3
Jeremie Boga came up with a late winner in their previous match for Nice, securing all three points and their third consecutive victory. This will be a massive test of character and determination to go out and put on a show worthy of a fourth victory against the early leaders.
Brest find themselves at the summit at this stage of the campaign with 13 points from their six games. They are arguably playing their best football and that showed in their previous outing against Lyon. A must win for Brest if they look to maintain their spot at the top of the league standings. Top of the table clash and could go either way but I back Nice to get the win.
Le Havre 29/10 | Draw 23/10 | Lille 10/11
Two early goals by Nabil Alioui and Mohamed Bayo in their previous match gave Le Havre a much-needed win and a second of the campaign. Playing at home again could play a huge role in Le Havre putting on another performance worthy of maximum points.
Lille have not hit the hights we all expect them to hit and find themselves way down the pecking order at this point of the campaign. Finding consistency will be key to picking up more positive results and will need to show their superiority in this one if they look to come away victorious. Lille will come out with a point to prove and get the win in this one.
Lorient 9/5 | Draw 12/5 | Montpellier 27/20
Lorient lost to Nantes in an eight-goal thriller in their previous match. The loss puts them in 14th spot with six points after six games. Les Merlus have no problem scoring goals which is a huge positive but will need to be more defensively sound if they look to pick more positive results.
Montpellier were held to a scoreless draw at home against Rennes in their previous outing. La Paillade do not boast the best away record but do have a solid defence which could prove the difference in picking up their second win of the campaign. Two evenly matched opponents at this stage of the campaign but I see Lorient snatching all three points.
Rennes 46/100 | Draw 10/3 | Nantes 5/1
Rennes started the campaign well but have failed to follow up on their first victory of the campaign. They have not been able to secure victories after picking up five consecutive draws. The home fans will need to get behind their team when they welcome Nantes to Roazhon Park.
Nantes picked up maximum points at home in an eight-goal showdown in front of their home faithful. The Canaries are at their best when they control proceedings and dictate the play and will need the same winning mentality and determination to pick up their third victory on the spin. Back Rennes for the win.
