International Break Done! Now our heads turn back to club football where the action keeps heating up with each week. The French Ligue 1 story continues this season with Monaco enjoying a fairy-tale start.
Friday
36/10 Le Havre | Draw 26/10 | Lens 8/10
Le Havre and Lens sit in 13th and 14th positions respectively ahead of their encounter at the Stade Oceane on Friday night. While both sides have registered two wins before break, it is Havre who will be more concerned at their poor form which saw them lose their last two fixtures, including a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Marseille before the international break. Lens have not lost in the league since their 1-0 defeat to Metz in September and would have used the break to strengthen some areas of concern. Still, I back them to prevail here, and claw up the standings. Lens to win at 8/10.
Saturday
2/9 PSG | Draw 58/10 | Strasbourg 11/10
Lionel Messi scored for PSG when these two sides last met in May of last season, before Kevin Gameiro equalised for Strasbourg. But Strasbourg were able to trouble the defence of PSG that night, registering more shots at goal after ninety minutes. These sides now meet at Parc des Princes with PSG sitting in 3rd spot after playing to three draws and a single defeat in their opening eight matches. They are clear favourites, but Strasbourg cannot be easily ruled out. PSG or DRAW on the DOUBLE CHANCE – 1/20.
14/10 Nice | Draw 24/10 | Marseille 39/20
Marseille have scored 7 goals from three matches in all competitions as they prepare to take on Nice away from home on Saturday. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring again for the club, coach Gattuso will certainly feel confident of snatching a win here, which would elevate them to the top 5. But Nice are in second place as a result of their remarkable form which has seen them stand as the only side yet to taste defeat in the league this season. I think both sides have what it takes to overcome the other, but Nice have the slight advantage and morale. They win at 14/10.
Sunday
29/10 Lorient | Draw 26/10 | Stade Rennes 9/10
Lorient have not won a league match in their last five attempts ahead of their encounter with 8th Stade Rennes in their own backyard on Sunday. The visitors were thrashed 3-1 by PSG in their last outing and will look to bounce back here against a struggling Lorient side. They have conceded in each of their last seven league matches, and I cannot see them getting anything out of this meeting. First Team to Score – Rennes 13/20.
8/10 LOSC | Draw 11/4 | Brest 7/2
Brest visit Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy as they look to win their first league match since September when they edged Lyon by a goal to nil. They will be eager to improve on their goal tally but should be proud of their defensive record which has seen them concede seven goals in the league so far. For Lille, the pressure is on to win their fourth game of the season, which would lift them up to the top 5. Both Teams to Score (NO) – 19/20.
2/1 Toulouse | Draw 5/2 | Reims 27/20
Toulouse go in search of their third win of the season when they face a tricky test against fifth-place Reims at home. Reims have two wins and two defeats in their last five games but will be kicking themselves for being inconsistent in their matches. Their opponents have conceded in each of their last two matches but have scored a goal more than they have from eight games played. I see a dull 90 minutes here, and a share of the spoils. Draw at 5/2.
37/20 Nantes | Draw 5/2 | Montpellier 7/5
A mid-table encounter is on the cards as Nantes prepare to take on Montpellier on Sunday. Both sides went into the break in high spirits having picked up their third wins of the season, but the visitors will come here the more pressured to get a win. Having conceded in each of their last three league matches, Nantes will need to start defending as a unit in order to avoid disappointment come the end of the campaign. For Montpellier, a win here would see them move within two points from log leaders Monaco. Go for the AWAY win here.
1/3 Monaco | Draw 46/10 | Metz 7/1
Log Leaders Monaco face strugglers Metz at home on Sunday as they look to stretch the gap at the summit of the log. Their opponents will come here as clear underdogs having conceded 14 times already. Monaco easily put three goals passed Reims in their last putting, and Metz will only come here just to avoid a heavy defeat. Monaco to win at 1/3.
15/20 Lyon | Draw 29/10 | Clermont Foot 34/10
Olympic Lyon and Clermont Foot do battle inside the Groupama Stadium as the season’s underperformers so far. Both sides occupy the bottom of the log, winless and looking very uninspired on the pitch. A draw would be the ideal result, but Lyon have the slight advantage at home, and a win is tipped at 15/20.
Written by Mlu Mdletshe