Last weekend’s round 6 fixtures disappointed slightly, with less goals than we are used to in Ligue 1 and with no fixture producing a match where both teams scored. With this round of fixtures offering a list of more competitive and close battles, we’re sure to see some entertaining offerings this weekend with some more drama, passion and incredible goals.
In this matchup, we firstly take a look at Bordeaux, who are still unbeaten with a win against Toulouse, who will play Guingamp, who won dramatically with last-minute action in their last game against Lille. In the other game, Caen, who had a disappointing day-out and Nantes last weekend, will host Amiens, who lost at home to a strong Marseille side recently.
Bordeaux vs. Guingamp
3-Way: 1: Bordeaux -114; X: +286 Draw; 2: Guingamp +459
Spread -0.5:Bordeaux -120; Guingamp +118
Total +2.5: Over +102; Under -106
Bordeaux
Bordeaux continued their unbeaten run with their third win of the Ligue 1 season away at Toulouse in the Derby de la Garonne. Bordeaux started on the backfoot with Toulouse relentlessly coming forward, forcing both a one-on-one save and a fantastic acrobatic save from goalkeeper Benoit Costil to deny Toulouse from taking the lead. Another great save in the second half from a long-range dipping shot only consolidated Costil’s claim to the man of the match. Eventually, Bordeaux woke up and threatened through a Lukas Lerager shot well-saved. Decisively, it was one piece of quality from a true match-winner that separated the two sides, as the ball was pulled back from wide to Malcom, who produced a sizzling strike into the underside of the crossbar and in; his third goal of the season.
With three wins, three draws and zero losses, manager Jocelyn Gourvennec will be ecstatic with his team’s start. They’ve had their fair share of luck, but Gourvennec won’t mind, and anyway, when you have a player like Malcom who can produce a piece of magic from nowhere, you have a chance of picking points in any game. The other positive will be goalkeeper Benoit Costil, who has proved to be an astute signing and a great replacement for Cédric Carrasso who left for Galatasaray in the summer and has also kept clean sheets in his side’s last two games.
Jocelyn Gourvennec will have a full squad roster for Saturday’s game.
Guingamp
Late drama prevented a goalless draw between Guingamp and Lille and meant a 1:0 win for Guingamp. The biggest chance for Guingamp in the first half came from a sliding cross across the gaping goalmouth, but no one could get their head onto the ball to score. The second half saw a couple more chances, with Marcus Thuram twice nearly getting himself on the scoresheet, with a close-range shot and no defender near him, and the keeper saving emphatically, although Thuram should have scored and he knew it. Later, Thuram turned and shot in the box but hit the post. Guingamp continued to push for the goal and was eventually rewarded late in the 93rd minute, as Etienne Didot’s deflected volley found its way into the corner of the net.
It’s been quite a standard Ligue 1 season for Guingamp so far, they’ve won when they should and they’ve lost when they were expected to lose. The last game against Lille was no different, a win against an out-of-sorts Lille. 10th position will be satisfying, but the next three games will really tell us how good this Guingamp side really is, with three opponents that will also be content with a midtable finish.
Manager Antoine Koumbouaré will have a full squad selection for their upcoming match.
Bordeaux vs. Guingamp – MATCH PREDICTION
Both teams will be coming off the back of a solid win, but with their form, home advantage, and most of all, a match-winner in Malcom, I believe that Bordeaux will win.
MY PICK: Bordeaux to WIN (-114)
Caen vs. Amiens
3-Way: 1: Caen +106; X: +240 Draw; 2: Amiens +375
Spread -0.5: Caen -102; Amiens +100
Total +2: Over -120; Under +120
Caen
After three consecutive wins, Caen will feel a little disappointed by their 1:0 away loss at Nantes last weekend. With Nantes keeping clean sheets in each of their last four Ligue 1 matches, and Caen conceding just once in their last four, it was always going to be a low-scoring game. Consequently, it was a defensive game with both sides lacking ambition. Caen had the best chance in the first half as Ronny Rodelin cut in from wide a forced a simple save. Although, Nantes came out of the blocks in the second half strongly, and later making it one-nil with an excellent long-range effort hitting the post on its way in. Caen’s limp grip loosened further as the game progressed and were unable to forge a scoring chance.
Despite the loss, Caen can still be proud of their Ligue 1 season so far with three wins and three losses, and sitting proudly in 9th position; an improvement on last season’s 17th place finish. Their form is particularly impressive when you consider how little investment they made over the summer, and have instead looked to a tight defensive formation for success which has proved to be successful and they have the joint second-best defense in the league with just four goals conceded.
Manager Patrice Garande will be without an injury or suspension woes.
Amiens
Amiens’ hopes to continue their good form were undone by a quick double from Marseille in the Stade de la Lincorne last weekend. Despite the loss, Amiens had a couple of early chances to score, with Amiens’ Abdul Khadel Adénon heading from a free kick, which bounced down and agonizingly over the bar. Minutes later Moussa Konaté’s cross with saved with incredible reactions. Unfortunately for Amiens, Marseille’s quality began to impose itself on the game, with Marseille’s Clinton N’Jie turning in a cross with his chest and then taking it around the keeper to score a second for him and his team with three minutes of the first.
Although it was a 2:0 defeat for Amiens, they can hold their head high as they were certainly not outclassed by a top French side. The Ligue 2 promoted side can also look at the league table, where they have a par score of six points, which is very respectable considering that many pundits have backed them for relegation from the Ligue 1 this season.
Manager Christophe Pélissier will have a full squad selection.
Caen vs. Amiens- MATCH PREDICTION
I believe both sides are of similar quality, so it will be difficult to separate them. Caen has more of a focus on defense, while Amiens rely on their forward line to produce the goods, therefore these sides could easily cancel each other out in a cagey affair. For that reason, what I believe most of all is that it will be a low-scoring game.
MY PICK: Under 2 goals (+120)
