The French Ligue 1 goes on this weekend with the Round 13 matches, and in this preview, we’ll take a closer look at two games set for Saturday, November 18th, 2017, when Dijon meets Troyes at Stade Gaston Gerard, while Guingamp hosts Angers at Stade de Roudourou.
We expect to see some exciting football, so don’t waste your time and check out our betting tips and predictions, like always here on GetMoreSports.
DIJON vs. TROYES
3-Way: 1: Dijon +102; X: +260 Draw; 2: Troyes +347 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Dijon -106; Troyes +102
Total +2.5: Over +106; Under -111
DIJON
After two consecutive wins against Nantes at home, 1:0, and Metz on the road, 2:1, Dijon was beaten by Nice at Allianz Riviera, 1:0, in the 12th round of the French Ligue 1. The Mustards were completely outplayed for 90 minutes, and they should thank their goalkeeper and a captain Baptiste Reynet who had some terrific saves, especially in the first half when Nice’s players had their best chances. However, he couldn’t stop Mario Balotelli to convert the penalty kick in the 40th minute. In the second half, The Mustards tried to level the match, but they couldn’t create a decent opportunity, besides Frederic Sammaritano’s shot from just outside of the box.
Dijon is at the 16th spot of the French Ligue 1 table after the first twelve rounds with 12 points, a 14:21 goal difference and a form of LWWLD. They created just 80 scoring opportunities thus far, and only Toulouse created less in 12 games. The 25-year old striker Benjamin Jeannot, who arrived this summer from Lorient, is leading his team with three goals in nine appearances, while the forwards Julio Tavares, Naim Sliti, and Chang-Hoon Kwon added two goals each. The 25-year old Naid Sliti, who’s loaned from Lille, is the top assistant with two dishes in ten appearances.
The manager Olivier Dall’Oglio is still without the 30-year old centre-back Wesley Lautoa (fractured leg), while all other players are ready for the next game.
TROYES
Troyes is having a nice season so far, and after the first twelve rounds, they are at the 11th spot of the French Ligue 1 table with 15 points, a 12:15 goal difference, and a form of WLLDW. At home, they earned eight points out of seven matches with a 2-2-3 record and a 6:9 goal difference, while on the road they recorded seven points out of five games with a 2-1-2 record and a 6:6 goal difference. They created 86 scoring chances in total, along with a decent 78% of an average pass accuracy.
After two defeats in a row against Caen, 1:0, and Lyon, 5:0, Troyes hammered Strasbourg, 3:0, at home stadium in the previous round of the French Ligue 1. It was a pretty boring first half at Stade de l’Aube, but in the second 45 minutes, the home side managed to overcome the 10-man Strasbourg with two quick goals in the 48th and 55th minute. The 24-year old striker Adama Niane verified the victory in the injury time, and it was his third goal of the season in the 12th app. He’s now a team’s leading scorer along with the 22-year old midfielder Saif-Eddine Khaoui, who’s playing on loan from Marseille. The 26 year old forward Hyun-Jun Suk, who’s loaned from Porto, bagged his first goal of the season against Strasbourg, and the fans expect to see more from him in the upcoming matches.
The manager Jean-Louis Garcia cannot count on a 40-year old attacking midfielder Benjamin Nivet due to a foot injury, while all other players are ready to go.
DIJON vs. TROYES – Match Prediction
This is a pretty tricky game to bet on, and I expect to see a tough battle where one goal could decide the winner. Therefore, I’ll go with the under in this one, and I won’t be surprised if we see a draw on Saturday evening.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 Goals (-111)
GUINGAMP vs. ANGERS
3-Way: 1: Guingamp +140; X: +252 Draw; 2: Angers +240 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Guingamp +137; Angers -143
Total +2.5: Over +120; Under -115
GUINGAMP
The previous Ligue 1 match against Monaco on the road was a real nightmare, both for Guingamp’s players and fans, as they were beaten to the bone, 6:0. Guingamp’s players allowed four goals in the first half, and it looked like they just want to go home. Without a passion in their game, Guingamp conceded two more in the second half, and now they have to bounce back in front of the home fans against Angers.
After the first twelve rounds of the French Ligue 1, Guingamp is sitting at the 13th spot with 14 points, a 13:21 goal difference and a form of LDLWD. At home, they played well earning 11 points out of six games with a 3-2-1 record and a 7:5 goal difference, while on the road they recorded one win and five defeats with a 6:16 goal difference and they have the worst away record in the Ligue 1.
The 32-year old experienced striker Jimmy Briand is a team’s leading scorer with three goals in 12 appearances, while the 20-year old striker Marcus Thuram, who arrived this summer from Sochaux, bagged two goals in 11 matches this season. There is no player in Guingamp’s squad with at least two dishes to his name, as ten players managed to get an assist so far.
The manager Antoine Kombouare was upset after a heavy loss at Monaco, and he certainly had a few words with his team after the game. For the next clash against Angers, he can count on all players, as there are no injury problems among the squad.
ANGERS
As well as their next rival, Angers had a hard time in the previous round of the French Ligue 1, when they were heavily beaten by Paris SG, 5:0, in front of the home fans. After a half an hour it was a convincing 3:0 lead for the visitors, so we could see Angers’ players waiting for an end, probably looking to the future for their next match against Guingamp on the road, where they will stand a chance to get something from the clash.
After the first twelve rounds, Angers is laying at the 14th spot of the French Ligue 1 table with 13 points, a 16:19 goal difference and a form of LDLWD (just like Guingamp). Angers recorded just two victories so far, along with three defeats and impressive seven draws. The 25-year old striker Karl Etoko Ekambi is arguably Angers’ best player this season with five goals and three dishes in 11 appearances. The midfielders Thomas Mangani and Angelo Fulgini both added two goals in 12 apps. The team created 111 scoring chances thus far, and only four teams in the Ligue 1 created more opportunities.
The manager Stephane Moulin doesn’t have any serious injury worries among the squad, so he can field his best eleven on Saturday evening.
GUINGAMP vs. ANGERS – Match Prediction
Another tricky match in the French Ligue 1 Round 13, but I expect to see some goals here. Guingamp is a strong home team, while Angers is still undefeated on the road (two wins and four draws), so maybe it is time for their first away loss.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (+120)
