French Ligue 1 rolls into week 10 with some blockbuster encounters! Underperformers are in danger of sinking deep into the relegation zone where a steep mountain awaits! Here’s this weekend’s analysis:
Friday, 27 October
10/3 Clermont Foot | Draw 23/10 | Nice 9/10
Clermont Foot and Nice sit in opposite ends of the table ahead of their clash at the Stade Gabriel Montpied on Friday night. The visitors sit in second spot and are the only undefeated side so far in the league this season. Clermont Foot recored their first win of the season when they defeated fellow strugglers Lyon on Sunday. The only concern for Nice is their low scoring stat, but I still feel they win away here at 9/10.
Saturday, 28 October
5/8 Reims | Draw 3/1 | Lorient 4/1
6th placed Reims are winless in their last two league games. They host Lorient on Saturday, with the visitors fresh off a 2-1 win over Rennes last time out. Lorient haven’t kept a clean sheet in October, while Reims has found the back of the net in each of their last 10 matches. Back Reims to lead at Half-time at 11/10.
11/20 Lens | Draw 16/5 | Nantes 9/2
Nantes face Lens away from home in the last game of Saturday action and will look to maintain their impressive league form which has seen them win four of their last five games. They are amongst the most dangerous attacks in the division with 16 goals so far. Lens will come into this game under some pressure to win having not won a league match this month. Nantes for the win – 9/2.
Sunday, 29 October
9/2 Brest | Draw 10/3 | PSG 1/2
Stade Brest lock horns with PSG on Sunday, as both sides look to close the gap on log leaders Monaco. PSG are edging closer to their best having won three of their last five matches in the league. Meanwhile, Brest last won in September when they narrowly beat Lyon by a goal to nil at home. Here, they will certainly need to be at their best against Mbappe and Co. Both Teams to Score (Yes) – 8/11.
5/4 Lille | Draw 13/5 | Monaco 9/5
Log Leaders Monaco have had their lead trimmed to just a single point after dropping points in recent games. They visit Lille on Sunday with hopes to snatch a win and reestablish a three-point gap at the summit. But Lille are not an easy side to face at home, and Brest fund that out in their last match which ended 1-0 in favour of the hosts. Monaco will have their work cut out for them, but I see them winning this one at 9/5.
3/4 Montpellier | Draw 11/4 | Toulouse 16/5
Montpellier and Toulouse will face off on Sunday after both sides dropped points in their last matches. They both will be concerned at recording just one win from their last five games, and that should lure them to take initiative and take the game to the other. Montpellier are playing really poor at the moment, and a DRAW suits both these sides – 11/4.
6/4 Metz | Draw 21/10 | Le Havre 9/5
Le Havre are winless in three consecutive league matches as they prepare to face strugglers Metz away from home on Sunday. Metz have lost their last four consecutive matches in the league, and I expect their confidence to be shattered after that. Le Havre are no better having also failed to pick up a win from their last four games in the league. But they are slight favorites to win here, and I back them at 19/10.
4/7 Rennes | Draw 29/10 |Strasbourg 9/2
Rennes and Strasbourg meet as both sides are enduring a difficult spell in the league. Having conceded six goals from two games, Strasbourg have real problems at the back and should ensure a clean sheet here on Sunday. But Rennes have also been misfiring of late, and I see a Draw in this one – 29/10.
13/20 Marseille | Draw 3/1 | Lyon 7/2
Strugglers Lyon visit 8th placed Marseille in the final game of the weekend’s action. The hosts have produced mixed results in their recent matches but should easily overcome Lyon and move up the table. Lyon are winless in /the league this season and talks of relegation have already begun around the club. Marseille wins at 13/20.
