Firstly, Nice, who will be eager to recover from a poor start to Ligue 1 with another loss to Troyes, will play Guingamp, who lost as expected 3:0 to a very impressive PSG side. In our other game Rennes, who lost out on points to an in-form Lyon side with a 2:1 loss, will host Dijon, who was set-aside by a Monaco team on a mission for the Ligue 1 title.
Nice vs. Guingamp
3-Way: 1: Nice +106; X: +254 Draw; 2: Guingamp +370
Spread -0.5: Nice +100; Guingamp -105
Total +2.5: Over +112; Under -111
Nice
The majority of fans at the Allianz Riviera Stadium left the ground disappointed as they registered a shocking loss to newly promoted Troyes 2:1 in round 2 of Ligue 1. It was Troyes who struck first as Nice center-back Dante failed to get rid of a bouncing pass which was then chipped over the unprotected goalkeeper by Troyes attacker Niane. Ten minutes later Nice was awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge, which was converted by Alassane Pléa to equalize. Unfortunately for Nice, it was Troyes who came away as winners after a stunning touch and half-volley and the away fans erupted with joy.
Not even the reveal of international superstar Wesley Sneijder could spur the team onto victory, although he was not available to the match. Additionally, Mario Balotelli was another notable absentee, so manager Lucien Favre may seek salvation in these two players who will soon be part of the first team. Saying that, a team that finished 3rd last season, and are aspiring to repeat that achievement, should not be losing their first two games, especially one of those being to a newly promoted side at home. What could be worse is that they now have a UEFA Champions League play-off double tie with Napoli to contend with, with a home game against Guingamp smack-bang in the middle; Nice will have to be careful as to not start a losing trend.
Lucien Favre will be without Wylan Cyprien (cruciate ligament rupture) and Mario Balotelli (leg) through injury.
Guingamp
Guingamp was unfortunate to come up against a side whose win was already written in the stars; one big star in Neymar, and stars PSG. The Guingamp defense was hopeless in stopping a 3:0 PSG win as chance after chance came and eventually the goals came, the first of which was a terrible mistake by defender Jordan Ikoko who attempted to back pass to his goalkeeper but instead passed it against his own post and into the back of the net. Then, Neymar set up Cavani 1-on-1 with the keeper who then curled it round the extended hand of the keeper. New boy Neymar himself joined in on the goals with a simple finish past a Guingamp defense who had more or less conceded to defeat.
Guingamp will have to pick themselves up from a game they were never likely to win and take advantage of Nice’s poor form. They only need to take inspiration from their first league game when they beat Metz emphatically 3:1 away from home.
Manager Antoine Konbouaré will have a full squad selection.
Nice vs. Guingamp – MATCH PREDICTION
Both Nice and Guingamp will feel a little disappointed with their last Ligue 1 fixtures, but Nice will feel more pressure with higher expectations and a do or die tie with Napoli to worry about. Furthermore, with Napoli coming up, Nice may rest some players against Guingamp to avoid tiredness and injuries to key players.
Nice is still the superior side on paper but will be a bit disadvantaged by fixtures, so I believe that a draw is the most likely outcome.
MY PICK: DRAW (+254)
Rennes vs. Dijon
3-Way: 1: Rennes -145; X: +307 Draw; 2: Dijon +532
Spread -1: Rennes +116; Dijon -119
Total +2.5: Over +100; Under -105
Rennes
Rennes fell slightly short to an in-form Lyon side in a hard-fought 2:1 loss on their home ground. The Rennes goalkeeper, Abdoulaye Diallo, will have expected himself to do better from the first goal after he failed to judge the bounce of a Memphis Depay free-kick. Lyon then scored a headed second, and a Rennes replied followed with a fantastic 86th-minute free-kick through Benjamin Bourigeaud, but it was too little too late for Les Rouges et Noirs and they couldn’t find the equalizer they needed.
Rennes shouldn’t feel too disheartened as they played valiantly against possible title contenders. Additionally, they had 52% possession and managed 11 shots, the same number as their opponent. A loss this weekend, however, would mean one point from three games which would not be a good start for a team who finished in 9th last season.
There has been just one notable transfer in the last week with Clément Chantome joining Lens on loan.
Manager Christian Gourcuff will have a full squad selection for Saturday’s game.
Dijon
Dijon fell victim to a superior side in Monaco as they lost 4:1 at home in the Stade Gaston-Gérard, Dijon’s home ground. The Mustards conceded the first goal early on from Falcao who pushed it with his left-foot inside the post. Another goal from a corner straight to Jemerson who executed an exquisite overhead kick into the bottom-left corner. Falcao then added to his first goal with a shot that deflected off of Cédric Yamberé looping into the top right corner. Dijon pulled one back with nothing more than a consolation goal through a cleverly poked finish by Wesley Said, as he was put in behind the defense by a long high ball from teammate Romain Amalfitano. Finally, Falcao added another to complete his hat-trick and a 4:1 final score.
Despite placing themselves at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table after the first two games with zero points, Dijon should not feel too disheartened as they have had difficult opposition, namely Marseille and Monaco. They now have a few winnable games and will have to get some points on the table to ensure survival.
In recent transfer activity, Dijon has sold winger Jérémie Bala to Albacete on a free transfer while forward Mamadou Thiam has joined Barnsley for an unknown fee.
Manager Olivier Dall’Oglio will be without any injury or suspension woes.
Rennes vs. Dijon – MATCH PREDICTION
Both sides have done as expected of them in their first two Ligue 1 games, and as such neither team are in particularly poor form despite some recent losses. With Rennes the home side I would expect them to have the edge in a low-scoring game as both teams will be trying to avoid another loss.
Therefore, I would go for a win for Rennes but a low-scoring game primarily.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-105)
Additional Pick: Rennes to win (-145)
