Another weekend and another round of Ligue 1 fixtures, with this weekend’s offering having a lot to live up to after the last round of games provided many closely-fought spectacles. The talk of the weekend will be the highly-entertaining clash in French football most famous and historic match, and we will be surely satisfied to get just some of that drama for the coming games in the 2017/18 Ligue 1 season.
In this double matchup we take a look at two matches which promise to be closely-fought affairs with teams of similar levels taking each other on. The first of which will see Montpellier play Rennes, with both teams searching for a mid-table position, while Strasbourg and Angers, who will also play each other this Saturday, will be battling it out to release the shackles from possible relegation.
Montpellier vs Rennes
3-Way: 1: Montpellier +114; X: +238 Draw; 2: Rennes +345 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Montpellier +108; Rennes -118
Total +2: Over -115; Under +108
Montpellier
Montpellier continued their excellent form with a 1:0 win over Saint Etienne away from home. The only goal of the match came from Isaac Mbenza as the ball landed on his feet, after the ball was bouncing around the box from a cross, and his first effort was saved but scored on the rebound. Mbenza had another great chance to add his second just after the first half, squandering a great chance right in front of goal as he shot straight at the keeper. Although Montpellier had some great chances, Saint Etienne had a plethora of their own, hitting the crossbar and being denied two late equalizers due to offside; Montpellier was fortunate to hold on to their win.
Last weekend’s fixture was an entertaining 1:0, although Montpellier was lucky to get away with a 1:0 win. The score-line has ensured that Montpellier is the most boring side in the league to watch, with just eight goals scored and six goals conceded, meaning an average of 1.4 goals for each game involving Montpellier. However, the tactic of containing the other team and being reserved going forward seems to be working for the one-time Ligue 1 champions, who have now gone five games unbeaten.
Manager Michel Der Zakarian will have a full squad for Saturday’s match.
Rennes
In the battle between 15th and 16th place in Ligue 1, it was the home side, Rennes, who came out on top after an early goal was the only difference between themselves and Lille. The early goal came with just six minutes on the clock, as Fait Maouassa’s pace and trickery found himself in a great position down the left wing for a cross for teammate Benjamin Bourigeaud, who managed to fumble the ball into the corner of the net. Rennes kept coming forward with more chances, although Lille twice came close to scoring in the second-half, being denied the second time by a fine double save from goalkeeper Tomas Koubek. Despite some late scares, Rennes three points were secured as Lille went a man down in the 85th minute following a reckless challenge.
With Rennes often being defensively naïve, in their last match they were much more solid, albeit slightly fortunate. The current centre-back partnership Joris Gnagnon and Ramy Bensebani, who collectively have an average age of 21, finally showed some promise with a commanding performance, as they have not shown their true potential in previous games, having not won before their last match since the 10th September. The blame has to be put on manager Christian Gourcuff, who failed to invest appropriately in their defense over the summer, with just one senior centre-back in the squad.
Christian Gourcuff will still be without forward Ismaila Sarr with a torn tendon, but will otherwise have a full squad.
Montpellier vs. Rennes – MATCH PREDICTION
Both sides have hit a nice recent patch of form, with Rennes also winning their recent Coupe de la Ligue fixture, and it should, therefore, be a tight match. However, I don’t fancy Rennes scoring many at Montpellier’s home ground, add to that Montpellier’s recent form and I would definitely recommend going for a low-scoring home win.
MY PICK: Montpellier to WIN (+114)
Strasbourg vs. Angers
3-Way: 1: Strasbourg +187; X: +227 Draw; 2: Angers +195
Spread 0: Strasbourg -108; Angers +104
Total +2.5: Over +124; Under -125
Strasbourg
Strasbourg lifted themselves out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone after a valiant 2:1 away win at Nice. Nuno da Costa offered the hosts a number of problems to think about, and he opened the scoring with a slight touch into the corner of the goal from a cross. Later he forced a great save from the opposition keeper, and then added his own and his team’s second as he finished into the net following a quick counter-attack. Nice did, however, grow into the game after they were awarded a penalty, as defender Ernest Seka took down an opponent in his box as the last man and was duly issued a red card. The penalty was scored, but Strasbourg held on to an important win that saw them move to 17th position.
The result means that Strasbourg has now hit a nice patch of form, having been unbeaten in their last three league matches and gaining five points in the process. The win should give the side confidence, and just conceding one goal against a strong attack should reinvigorate the third worst defense in the league, who have conceded eighteen goals this season so far.
Manager Thierry Laurey will be without left-back Abdallah Ndour through a fractured leg, but will otherwise have a full squad selection.
Angers
Angers slumped to a 1:0 defeat last weekend against a clinical Toulouse side. The scoring was opened in the 38th minute with one of Toulouse’s only chances, crossing back in a wayward free-kick, which was then flicked onto the goal-scorers head and past the keeper to make it 1:0. Angers winger Karl Toko Ekambi had some great chances throughout the match to level the game, the first of which was denied by a great save as Cameroonian went through on goal. He later went through the goal again, but chose to shoot, missing again, instead of passing to two men to his side who would have certainly scored. Then it was Thomas Mangani’s turn to miss an absolute sitter, slipping as he shot with the goal begging, hitting the top of the crossbar and out; also signifying Angers last chance to find the leveler.
The loss ultimately came from a lack of clinical edge, with Angers’ top scorer Toko Ekambi wasting a host of chances. Additionally, their new main striker Enzo Crivelli has failed to set the French league alight, which is not helping their scoring issues. That being said, their total of fourteen goals for the season isn’t a terrible record, but it certainly didn’t mean much in their last Ligue 1 match, and they’ll need to put their shooting boots back on if they wish to win their next game.
Manager Stéphane Moulin will have a full squad roster for Saturday’s match.
Strasbourg vs. Angers – MATCH PREDICTION
Strasbourg certainly has the form and the home advantage, but their home record is not very impressive, while Angers’ only two wins have come away. In addition, Angers have the stronger side overall, so I would back them for the win.
MY PICK: Angers to WIN (+195)
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