Welcome back to the Last Word on Football’s previews and predictions for Ligue 1. We have reached the 12th round of matches and Paris Saint-Germain have an eight-point lead at the top. The next round of games see PSG head to Dijon, Marseille meet Lille, and Monaco head to Saint Etienne. It is also the first Atlantique derby of the season as Bordeaux face Nantes.
Bordeaux and Nantes Meet in Season’s First Atlantique Derby
Bordeaux Seeking Third Win in Four
It’s the first Atlantique derby of the season as Bordeaux and Nantes meet. Both teams need a response having suffered losses last weekend. Paulo Sousa’s team have lost three of their last four games, while Christian Gourcuff’s Nantes have lost two of their last three. Bordeaux are seeking a win which would put them to within a point of their derby rivals.
Sousa’s side are much improved from last season and are looking good, but their form has dipped in recent weeks and a derby win could be the perfect tonic to ignite their campaign. Their home form has let them down winning just twice in 12 games. Jimmy Briand is their top scorer with just two goals. He will be aiming to add to that this weekend.
Nantes have suffered back to back losses without scoring and Gourcuff will be aiming to get them back into their groove with a derby win. Both sides need a win and a platform to ignite their seasons again. A derby win could be the perfect tonic.
Lille Remain on the Hunt for Their First Away Win
Lille travel to the Stade Velodrome on Saturday afternoon aiming to secure a first away win of the season. Christophe Galtier’s side travel to Marseille fresh off an excellent win over Bordeaux, but they are finding life away from home difficult. However, they did the double over Marseille last season and will fancy they can do it again. Renato Sanches and Timothy Weah are injury doubts.
Marseille have flattered to deceive for much of this season and were thumped by PSG last weekend. However, Andre Villas-Boas has made them difficult to beat at home this season going unbeaten since their opening weekend loss to Reims. Florian Thauvin remains out injured as Marseille hunt a second win in three games.
LWOF Predictions
Dijon v Paris Saint-Germain
Dijon are looking to respond following their loss to Brest. They are seeking a first win in three games. PSG are looking for a fifth straight league win and will go eleven points clear ahead of the rest of the matches if they win.
Dijon 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain
Amiens v Brest
Two sides in good form clash in their first ever Ligue 1 meeting. Amiens are unbeaten in four games. Overall, Amiens have lost just once in their last seven games. Brest are on their best run of the season. The visitors are hunting a fourth straight league win
Amiens 2-1 Brest
Angers v Strasbourg
Angers are in a rut having not won in their last four games. They need a response this weekend. Strasbourg are fresh off a crucial win against Nice. They are hunting back to back wins for the first time this season.
Angers 1-0 Strasbourg
Marseille v Lille
Marseille are seeking a second win in three games. They are looking to respond following their heavy loss to Paris Saint-Germain. Lille head into this game hunting for a first away win of the season and back to back league wins.
Marseille 1-1 Lille
Metz v Montpellier
Metz head into this looking for a second win in three games. They are also hunting back to back home wins. Montpellier have struggled on their travels and their overall form is disappointing winning just once in their last four.
Metz 1-0 Montpellier
Nimes v Rennes
Nimes are in desperately poor form winning just once in their last seven games. They are five games without a win and are desperate to find a win from somewhere. Rennes are fresh off a first win in eight games and are hoping to notch back to back wins
Nimes 1-2 Rennes
Toulouse v Lyon
Antoine Kombouare and Rudi Garcia take charge of their third league games in charge. Kombouare has three points from two games while Garcia has four points from two games. Toulouse has played well but still cannot keep clean sheets. Lyon got a morale-boosting result and are seeking back to back wins for the first time since August.
Toulouse 2-1 Lyon
Bordeaux v Nantes
Bordeaux and Nantes clash in the first Atlantique derby of the season. Both teams have suffered back to back losses. Both need a pick me up this weekend
Bordeaux 2-0 Nantes
Nice v Reims
The pressure is starting to mount on Patrick Vieira with Nice in dreadful form and a style of play which is confusing fans, players and pundits. Nice have lost their last three games and overall have won just once in their last seven games. In contrast, Reims are full of confidence and boast the best defence in Ligue 1. They are seeking a third win in four games.
Nice 1-0 Reims
Saint Etienne v Monaco
Two sides in good form clash on Sunday afternoon. Claude Puel has made a strong start in charge of Les Verts notching seven points from three games. They are seeking a fourth win in five games. Monaco are also in good form having won their last two games. Leonardo Jardim has got Monaco motoring and they will fancy adding a third straight league win.
Saint Etienne 2-2 Monaco
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