Welcome back to the Last Word on Football’s previews and predictions for Ligue 1. We have reached the 14th round of matches and Paris Saint-Germain’s lead is eight points. The next round of matches sees last season’s top two clash as the leaders face Lille. Meanwhile, Lyon play Nice, Monaco head to Bordeaux and in form Saint Etienne host Montpellier.
Ligue 1 Predictions: Lille Meet Paris Saint-Germain
Marco Verratti is Out, Neymar Close to a Return
PSG and Lille kick off the 14th round of games. Last season’s top two clash in a tasty game in the capital. The home side are hunting a sixth win in seven games, while Lille are still searching for their first away win of the season. Thomas Tuchel’s side are hoping to avenge the 5-1 loss they suffered when they last played Lille.
PSG have an eight-point cushion at the top of the table and the Parisians will look to extend their lead with another victory this weekend. Marco Verratti is ruled out with a knee injury but Keylor Navas could return having sat out the Brest victory with a minor injury. The game comes too soon for Ander Herrera, Neymar and Thomas Meunier, who are all to resume training at the end of this week.
It’s been a difficult week for Lille, but they will hope to end the week on a high with a shock win in Paris. Christophe Galtier has lost two of his coaching team to Tottenham Hotspur and that has affected his preparations. Lille are hunting a first away win of the season having amassed just two points on their travels. They lost their last two away games, and something has got to give. Only Strasbourg have a worse away record than last season’s runners up.
Two Underperformers Clash in Lyon
Its been a hugely disappointing season thus far for Lyon and Nice. Both sides languish in the bottom half of the table after indifferent starts to the season. Rudi Garcia overall has made a good start at Lyon, notching seven points from his four league games. However, despite the slight improvement, Lyon remain closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places.
Nice have fared no better, with Patrick Vieira’s team a point and a place above their opponents. The visitors have struggled for an identity and form this season. Vieira’s side have shown some improvement, having gone unbeaten in their last two. Prior to that, they had lost four out of five.
Both managers need a change in fortunes to push their team to where they should be challenging. A win for either side could ignite their flat seasons. Garcia will demand a response from his team while Vieira will hope his side can continue their unbeaten streak.
LWOF Ligue 1 Predictions
Paris Saint-Germain v Lille
A tasty clash between last season’s top two. Paris Saint-Germain looking for back-to-back wins while Lille are hunting a first away success of the season. They are also winless in two games.
Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Lille
Amiens v Strasbourg
Amiens suffered a first loss since the beginning of September last time out. They are hunting a second win in three games as well as maintain their strong home run. Strasbourg have the worst away record in Ligue 1 amassing just one point, but they are fresh off a win against Nimes.
Amiens 2-1 Strasbourg
Angers v Nimes
Angers head into this game unbeaten in their last two games. Nimes are on the longest winless run in Ligue 1. The visitors are winless in six games and find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table
Angers 1-0 Nimes
Brest v Nantes
Both teams are looking to respond to losses. Brest suffered a narrow loss to Paris Saint-Germain. They have lost their last two games and Olivier Dall’oglio will demand a response. Nantes are in dreadful form having lost their last four games. Christian Gourcuff’s side in a rough patch and they desperately need a win.
Brest 1-1 Nantes
Dijon v Rennes
Dijon are seeking a second win in three games. Rennes are hunting a third straight league win and are scoring plenty of goals.
Dijon 1-3 Rennes
Lyon v Nice
A crucial game between two underachievers. Lyon are looking to respond following their loss to Marseille. Nice are looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games.
Lyon 1-1 Nice
Metz v Reims
Europe’s best defence head to struggling Metz. Despite their rock-solid defence, Reims are winless in three games. Metz are also winless in three games.
Metz 2-1 Reims
Bordeaux v Monaco
Bordeaux are unbeaten in two and hunting back to back home wins. Monaco are hunting a fourth win in five games. Two sides who enjoy scoring goals
Bordeaux 2-2 Monaco
Saint Etienne v Montpellier
Claude Puel has made a tremendous start in charge of Saint Etienne. They are unbeaten in his five league games collecting 13 points. They are hunting a third straight league win. Montpellier are unbeaten in three games.
Saint Etienne 1-0 Montpellier
Toulouse v Marseille
Toulouse have not had the new manager bounce. They have lost their last three games since Antoine Kombouare won his first game in charge. Marseille is hunting a third straight league win something not achieved since the beginning of September.
Toulouse 1-2 Marseille
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