Welcome to a brand new series for Last Word on Football as we introduce previews and predictions for Ligue 1. It is the eighth round of fixtures in France’s top flight and the league is beginning to take shape. Paris Saint-Germain, as expected, lead the way but face a crucial game with their closest challengers, Angers, in a top of the table clash, with Neymar expected to return for the hosts.
Neymar Set for Paris Saint-Germain Return
Thomas Tuchel to Have Neymar Back From Suspension
Some would say this is an unlikely top of the table clash, but it’s where we find ourselves. PSG, as expected, are leading Ligue 1 but have flattered to deceive so far this campaign. Narrow victories as opposed to bulldozing the opposition have been the order of the day.
It has been a good week for the Parisians as they maintained their perfect record in the Champions League, but they will want to head into the international break comfortably clear at the top of the table.
Neymar is expected to return to the side having continued his suspension in the Champions League, but manager Thomas Tuchel remains without Thilo Kehrer, Julian Draxler and Thomas Meunier. Edinson Cavani is close to returning to the side but may have to wait until after the international break. Despite featuring against Bordeaux, Kylian Mbappe won’t be involved tomorrow afternoon, leaving the onus on Neymar to provide the goods up front.
It has been a magnificent season so far for Stephane Moulin and his Angers side, who are defying all expectations and find themselves in second place just two points behind PSG. They are in great form having won four of their last six games. Angers have been a breath of fresh air and will fancy their chances of heading to the French capital and causing a huge upset, even with Neymar returning.
Moulin is missing key defender Abdoulaye Bamba through injury. Farid El Melali is also ruled out, but striker Stephane Bahoken is expected to be fit.
Claude Puel to Start Saint-Etienne Stint Against Lyon
It’s the first Rhonalpin Derby of the season between two sides that really despise each other. It is a crucial game for both sides with neither side finding life easy in Ligue 1.
Saint Etienne have struggled in Ligue 1 and after just seven league games in charge, Ghislain Printant has been dismissed. Despite picking up a vital league win against Nimes last time out, Printant’s spell in charge comes to an end with the experienced Claude Puel coming in as his replacement. Puel arrives having managed the likes of Monaco, Nice and Lyon in Ligue 1 so he is no stranger to the job in hand. Saint Etienne’s overall league season has been very disappointing, with Les Verts sitting in the relegation zone and Puel quickly needs to a galvanise an underperforming team. Puel would love a dream start against his former club and a derby win over their bitter rivals could be the tonic to ignite Saint Etienne’s season.
Sylvinho’s excellent start in charge of Lyon seems a distant memory because, since winning their opening two league games, Les Gones have notched just three points from their last five league games. The pressure is slowly starting to intensify on the Brazilian, but they did collect a vital win in the Champions League at RB Leipzig. Mousa Dembele is emerging into a key cog in this Lyon side and will be hoping to add to his four league goals this weekend. Like Saint Etienne, a derby day victory could also ignite Lyon’s flat season.
LWOF Predictions
Amiens v Marseille
Matchweek eight begins with Marseille travelling to struggling Amiens. The home side sit 16th and have played well at home under new manager Luka Elsner. Marseille have improved under Andre Villas-Boas and are unbeaten in seven games. Dario Benedetto will be aiming to continue his excellent start to life in French football.
Amiens 0-1 Marseille
Brest v Metz
This is certainly a crucial clash between two of the promoted sides. Both sides find themselves at the wrong end of the table and locked together on eight points. Brest’s sole win this season was at home and they desperately need another one. Metz have won just once on their travels.
Brest 2-2 Metz
Dijon v Strasbourg
Basement side Dijon collected their first win of the season last time out but are yet to win at home this season. Strasbourg are yet to win on their travels but enter this match having won two of their last three league games. Both have struggled to score goals so far this campaign.
Dijon 0-0 Strasbourg
Montpellier v Monaco
Montpellier head into this game with Monaco looking to respond from their loss to Strasbourg last weekend. Michel Der Zakarian’s side are strong at home having won their last three games. Meanwhile, Monaco arrive in buoyant mood having won their last two league games but are yet to taste success on their travels. Wissam Ben Yedder and Islam Slimani are forming a good partnership up front scoring nine goals between them.
Montpellier 1-0 Monaco
Nantes v Nice
Nantes are in excellent form under Christian Gourcuff despite their manager arriving just days before the season started. Nantes have won five of their last six games and are certainly more efficient than spectacular. Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira’s team arrive winless in their last two games but are within touching distance of their opponents and win for Nice would see the two sides go level on points.
Nantes 1-1 Nice
Paris Saint-Germain v Angers
A crucial top of the table clash. PSG suffered a shock loss to Reims in their last home game and will be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice. PSG have won five of their last six games and will hope to continue that form with the return of Neymar from suspension. Angers head to the capital in a confident mood and will go top if they pull off a shock victory.
PSG 2-1 Angers
Toulouse v Bordeaux
It’s the first Derby de la Garonne of the season as Toulouse and Bordeaux go head to head. Alain Casanova’s side rescued a dramatic point at Metz last time out, but their winless run stretched to four games. Bordeaux suffered a narrow loss to PSG last weekend and manager Paulo Sousa will see a derby game as the ideal opportunity to bounce back. Bordeaux are unbeaten in their last three away games.
Toulouse 1-2 Bordeaux
Lille v Nimes
Lille will fancy their chances of maintaining their 100% record against struggling Nimes. Christophe Galtier’s side are imperious at home and will be aiming to respond from their midweek Champions League loss to Chelsea. Nimes are desperate for a morale-boosting win having lost their last two games. The visiting side are also winless on their travels.
Lille 2-0 Nimes
Rennes v Reims
Rennes have been steady if not spectacular so far this campaign and head into this clash with Reims looking for a first win since winning their opening three games. Five games without a win for Rennes and Julian Stephan needs a win to ignite their league season again. Reims have been inconsistent so far this campaign winning just once in their last four games.
Rennes 2-1 Reims
Saint Etienne v Lyon
Matchweek eight concludes with the Rhonalpin derby. Both sides need a league win and plenty of chances will be created between two teams who enjoying attacking. Lyon are winless in six games; Saint Etienne have notched one win in seven games. A big game for both teams but who will be tasting victory on Sunday night? Both will fancy their chances.
Saint Etienne 2-3 Lyon
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