Last weekend’s round of fixtures had it all, massive shocks, great spectacles and even greater goals, as well as some pure comedy moments. This weekend we’re back for the tenth round of fixtures and we’re hoping for more Ligue 1 magic, and we’re also yearning for a team to genuinely compete for the top of the Ligue 1 table Paris Saint Germain as they start to pull away from the rest of the pack. In addition, towards the bottom of the table, a section is seemingly starting to appear as is a fascinating battle between six teams stuck on six points or less.
Today’s double match-up will see two matches where the winners should be instantly obvious. Firstly, Monaco will take on Caen, with Monaco expecting to overcome a Caen side who have been in strong form until their last match. The other match will see Amiens versus Bordeaux, with Amiens unable to snap out of a poor run of games while Bordeaux is still recovering from their harrowing defeat to PSG two weeks ago.
Monaco vs. Caen
3-Way: 1: Monaco -227; X: +492 Draw; 2: Caen +900
Spread -1.5: Monaco +102; Caen -106
Total +3: Over -105; Under -103
Monaco
The current French champions slipped further away from the top of Ligue 1 following their thrilling 3:2 away loss to Lyon. An early goal was nearly conceded when Monaco goalkeeper Daniel Subasic took too much time on the ball and was chased down by an opposition attacker, who slid in on the Croatian goalkeeper and managed to divert the ball onto the post but out again; the quickness of the play was a sign of things to come in an enthralling end to end first half.
Lyon opened the scoring with a ball converted from a pass across goal, although Monaco replied six minutes later with a clever ball to Rony Lopes and finished well at the near post to equalize. Six minutes later again, Lyon regained the lead with a similar well-worked team goal, but the away side refused to relinquish, equalizing again before halftime with Traoré smashing the ball into the top corner with his weak foot. The second half, however, was less eventful, with both sides having the odd chance to take the lead, but none of them were converted until the 95th minute when Lyon nicked the win with a perfectly placed free-kick.
The match was an obvious example of the challenges of playing a top side in Lyon, without a recognized striker upfront. The striker they did field up top was 22-year-old Balde Keita, who made only his third appearance and usually is deployed on the left wing. Their usual attacker, Radamel Falcao, was out due to being rested from the World Cup qualifiers he took part in for Colombia, but perhaps manager Leonardo Jardim will think twice before leaving the striker, who has scored twelve times in eight league appearances, out next time around. Another big miss was defensive midfielder Fabinho who wasn’t available to add steel to top-heavy midfield and would have been useful in stopping Lyon’s goal-scoring. Furthermore, the loss now leaves them trailing first-placed PSG by six points, a total that will be difficult to recover judging by the performances of Les Parisiens.
Manager Leonardo Jardim will be without striker Stefan Jovetic due to a wound, but will otherwise have a full squad.
Caen
Despite Caen being in good winning form, and their opponents Angers only able to draw, Angers’ 2:0 win will be of slight disappointment and surprise to a Caen who side would have hoped to continue their positive momentum in the Ligue 1 competition. Further disappointment would have been that Caen was actually quite unlucky to lose with a number of chances coming their way. Their first great opportunity came to Jordan Nkololo, put through by Rony Rodelin leaving his teammate with an open goal but Nkololo agonizingly blasted the ball over the bar. The second half saw a couple more chances, but it was Angers who got the two winning goals easing past the vulnerable Caen defense leaving the home side with little chance of finding a way back into the game, especially since when they have the chance, a well-saved shot from Hervé Bazile, they wasted their opportunity.
Despite the result, it was by no means a poor performance, with 50% possession showing that Caen was certainly not overrun, and they had sixteen attempts at goal to their opponent’s seven. The reason Caen lost was down to things, firstly they missed a clinical edge going forward, in other words forward Ivan Santini wasn’t available who is often their focal point. The other was a few lapses in concentration in defense, but that’s just down to Caen having a very mediocre defense; don’t let their eighth-place position flatter them.
Manager Patrice Garande will be without winger Jeff Louis (knee), defender Alexander Djiku (Achilles) and centre-back Florian Le Joncour (abductor muscle tear)through injury.
Monaco vs. Caen- MATCH PREDICTION
This is a very simple prediction. Monaco will win.
Falcao will be back and will bang in a few goals too, especially against a side who has no place in the top ten of the Ligue 1 with some fortunate recent wins. Saying that, credit where its due as the obviously the manager has got his team playing beyond their abilities, but they will slip down the table.
MY PICK: Monaco -1.5 AH (+102)
Amiens vs. Bordeaux
3-Way: 1: Amiens +500; X: +295 Draw; 2: Bordeaux -118
Spread +1: Amiens -135; Bordeaux +127
Total +2.5: Over +121; Under -132
Amiens
Amiens suffered their 3rd Ligue 1 loss in a row following a lackluster performance against Toulouse away in which they lost 1:0. The home side created very few chances, with all of the best action arising in and around their own goalmouth. The winning goal came five minutes before half time with a pass across goal and finish. In the dying seconds of the game, Prince Gouano was sent off for pulling a Toulouse attacker down in his half as he was about to go through on top, topping off a day to forget for Amiens.
Just as things were starting to look upwards for Amiens with two wins on the trot, they’ve taken another plunge by following their wins with three losses and no goals scored. The issue of this Amiens side is obvious, they cannot score. Furthermore, they have scored just four goals this season, the joint worst record, and those four have been scored by Moussa Konaté and Gael Kakuta, with two each. With that information in mind, why on earth were the two substituted in the second half!?
Manager Patrice Garande will be without winger Jeff Louis (knee) and defender Alexander Djiku (Achilles) through injury.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux could only manage a 1:1 draw at home in the Stade Matmut-Atlantique against a resilient Nantes defense. Nantes proved to be a tough cookie, even against one of the best attacks in Ligue 1, and they kept the game and a slower pace, starting all play from the back. Bordeaux was unable to break down their opponent’s defense and was also the first to concede on the stroke of half-time following a messy scramble in the box. Following the second half whistle, Bordeaux rushed out of blocks and scored a quick equalizer as Nicolas De Preville worked nicely to pass the ball across to Malcom, who struggled past a number of defenders, sidestepping one of them and finishing into the corner. The goal breathed new life into Bordeaux as they improved as the half went one, and should have scored the winner had substitute Jonathan Cafu found a better finish when he had the whole goal to aim for after being passed to across goal.
It’s no embarrassment to be limited to one goal and a draw by a side managed by Claudio Ranieri, but it will frustrate manager Jocelyn Gourvennec that he wasn’t able to outwit his peer. Saying that, looking at Bordeaux’s next fixtures after Amiens, they may have needed and will need a stockpile of points to cover themselves for any losses they are about to endure. One positive at least will be that their star player Malcom was back on the scoresheet, who has scored five goals and assisted four this season so far. Although Bordeaux may be hoping that he holds up on the scoring before the January transfer window to put off any potential suitors.
Manager Jocelyn Gourvennec will be without right back Milan Gajic (shoulder), forward Gaetan Laborde (foot) and right-back Youssouf Sabaly (abductor muscle tear) through injury.
Amiens vs. Bordeaux – MATCH PREDICTION
With Amiens in such poor form and Bordeaux being unbeaten other than their loss to PSG, the likeliest outcome is a Bordeaux win. Furthermore, the Nantes result should have little bearing on this match, as Amiens defense should be much easier to penetrate.
MY PICK: Bordeaux to WIN (-118)
