Welcome back to the Last Word on Football’s previews and predictions for Ligue 1. We have reached the tenth round of matches and Paris Saint Germain have a two-point lead ahead of Nantes at the top. The tenth round of matches sees Rudi Garcia and Antoine Kombouare return to management with Olympique Lyonnais and Toulouse respectively. Meanwhile Paris Saint Germain head to Nice in the Friday night game.
Rudi Garcia Takes Charge of Lyon For The First Time
Memphis Depay Is Ruled Out Through Injury
It has been a disastrous start to the season for Olympique Lyonnais, with Les Gones languishing in 14th place outside the relegation zone on goal difference. Jean Michel Aulas has reacted to their worrying slide and brought in Rudi Garcia as their new manager during the international break.
Garcia takes charge for the first time this weekend against an improving Dijon side. However, Memphis Depay will not be involved in the new manager’s first game in charge. The Dutchman is ruled out with injury while they are also concerns over Jason Denayer, Leo Dubois and Bertrand Traore. Lyon simply need a win especially at home where they’ve won just once all season. Rudi Garcia needs a strong start with fans majorly underwhelmed by his appointment.
Dijon have shown real improvement in recent weeks following a very poor start to the season. They have won their last two games having been winless in the opening eight games of the season. Stephane Jobard’s new-look side have finally started to gel but face a stern test of their new resilience this weekend. Hamza Mendyl and Matheus Periera are suspended while Jordan Marie and Mama Balde are out injured.
Antoine Kombouare Begins His Reign Against Lille
Toulouse also made a change in management over the international break after Alain Casanova resigned. Les Violets have turned to the experienced Antoine Kombouare to get their season up and running.
Kombouare inherits a Toulouse side sat in the relegation zone with nine points from their nine games amassed so far this season. Kombouare will be without Gen Shoji, Corentin Jean and Agustin Rogel. Wins are alluding Les Violets with just two wins in their last 16 league games and they desperately need something to ignite their season. Kombouare will be determined to get Toulouse motoring and a win over Lille could provide that platform.
Christophe Galtier’s Lille are going well but did lose their 100% home record last time out against Reims. Despite that setback, Lille are unbeaten in five and looking to climb back into those Champions League places. They have a striker in Victor Omishen who’s adapted very well to French football notching seven league goals and he could play an important role once again. Benjamin Andre is suspended while Timothy Weah and Renato Sanches are ruled out through injury.
LWOF Predictions
Nice vs Paris Saint Germain
The tenth round of matches kick-off at the Allianz Riviera as Paris Saint Germain travel to Nice hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table. Nice sit in 9th place after a three-match winless run. Paris Saint Germain are looking for a third straight win, but I expect this game to be very tight.
Nice 1-1 Paris Saint Germain
Angers vs Brest
This is a good game for Angers to bounce back following that heavy loss to Paris Saint Germain. Brest collected a terrific win against Metz last time out but are winless on their travels this season.
Angers 2-0 Brest
Lyon vs Dijon
A crucial game for Lyon. Rudi Garcia’s first game in charge as he looks to arrest a seven-match winless run. Dijon are looking for a third straight league win and maintain their excellent record in Lyon having collected four points from their last two trips.
Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 Dijon
Metz vs Nantes
Metz desperately need a good result having slid to the bottom of the table before the international break. The home side have won just once in their last seven games. Nantes are flying high in 2nd place and on the hunt for a fourth straight league win.
Metz 0-1 Nantes
Nimes vs Amiens
Nimes have struggled for confidence and form this season. They are winless in three games and find themselves stuck in 15th place. Second season syndrome looks to have kicked in. Amiens are fresh off a terrific win over Marseille but, they are winless on their travels this season.
Nimes 2-1 Amiens
Reims vs Montpellier
A tight game expected between two sides with excellent defences. Reims have the joint best defence having conceded just 4 league goals while Montpellier have conceded just 7 league goals. Both teams are fresh off victories and will be aiming to build on that.
Reims 0-0 Montpellier
Toulouse vs Lille
Antoine Kombouare begins his reign in charge of Toulouse. Les Violets are winless in five games while opponents Lille are unbeaten in five games. Toulouse’s two wins have come at home this season and they desperately need a third to ignite their season. Expect an open game between two sides who will go out to win
Toulouse 2-2 Lille
Bordeaux vs Saint Etienne
Bordeaux are in excellent form and are seeking a fourth win in six games as Paulo Sousa’s team motor towards the Champions League places. Claude Puel made a dream start in charge of Saint Etienne beating Lyon in the Rhonalpin derby. Saint Etienne are hunting a third straight league win.
Bordeaux 1-0 Saint Etienne
Marseille vs Strasbourg
Andre Villas-Boas will demand an improved performance from the one displayed in the loss to Amiens. Marseille are in strong form at the Stade Velodrome having gone unbeaten since their loss to Reims on the opening weekend of the season. Strasbourg lie in 17th place but have shown shoots of improvement and are seeking a third win in five games.
Marseille 2-0 Strasbourg
Monaco vs Rennes
Two sides in desperate need of a morale-boosting win meet at the Principality Stadium. Monaco suffered a heavy loss to Montpellier last time out and Leonardo Jardim will demand a response. Monaco are seeking a third straight home win. Rennes are winless in six and the pressure is slowly starting to increase on Julian Stephan. Just three points were taken in six games since winning their opening three.
Monaco 3-2 Rennes
Main Photo
