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 top of the 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.
In this double-preview, we look at two matches with each containing two teams at a similar level. Angers and Toulouse will battle it out, with both sides recovering from a recent dip to strong wins, while the other matchup will see a bottom of the Ligue 1 table clash between Metz and Dijon who have both had terrible seasons thus far.
Angers vs. Toulouse
3-Way: 1: Angers +112; X: +245 Draw; 2: Toulouse +355
Spread -0.5: Angers +102; Toulouse -110
Total +2: Over -128; Under +121
Angers
Angers won a competitive match for the first time in two months as they beat an in-form Caen 2:0 away last weekend. Caen was the better side for most of the game, but Angers managed to persevere and eventually found some success in the 49th minute when forward Karl Toko Ekambi outmuscled an opposition defender and volleyed from a long ball over the top, past the goalkeeper at the near post. Ten minutes later, Toko Ekambi was yet again involved in an Angers goal passing to substitute Angelo Fulgini in a good position who coolly finished past the keeper to secure the 2:0 victory.
It will be of great relief to Angers that they were able to win after going for such a long period without winning, not winning since the 12th August to be precise. In between the two wins they have managed five draws without winning, which surely began to take its toll on the Angers players self-believe. Another big positive will be the performance of Karl Toko Ekambi who used his strength and power to produce goal, an assist, and an overall solid performance; additionally, his goal was his fourth of the Ligue 1season.
Manager Stéphane Moulin will be without any injury or suspension woes.
Toulouse
A solid performance earned home side Toulouse three points in a 1:0 win over Amiens. The one-time Coupe de France winners were deservedly victorious in their tie, running the show and having all of the action in the oppositions box. First of the chances, Andy Delort tried a shot from range that dipped and curved but it was well stopped. Toulouse kept digging in and struck gold five minutes before half-time as Delort finished Alexis Blin’s cross, a well-deserved goal after all his previous efforts in this match and others. The home side searched for the second goal but never found the second goal, although their win was all but confirmed through a limp Amiens attacked who rarely threatened and were also a man down after an Amiens defender was shown a second yellow.
After Toulouse only managed two points from their last four matches, a win on their fifth attempt would have washed over the players and manager with pure relief. Although it has to be said the victory was in large part due to a poor performance from their opposition, one gamble that manager Pascal Dupraz made in changing the captaincy from regular Christopher Jullien to Issa Diop should be given credit. Furthermore, the three points lifts them off from the Ligue 1 relegation danger area with five points between themselves and fifteenth position.
Pascal Dupraz will be without winger Max Gradel (leg), winger Jimmy Durmaz (groin) and centre-back Steven Fortes (knee) through injury.
Angers vs. Toulouse – MATCH PREDICTION
This match is difficult to call, with two sides who have recovered from poor form to produce some solid performances, and both sides are of similar quality.
I can’t separate the sides, so I’d go for a draw.
MY PICK: DRAW (+245)
Metz vs. Dijon
3-Way: 1: Metz +181; X: +243 Draw; 2: Dijon +195
Spread 0: Metz -104; Dijon +102
Total +2.5: Over +110; Under -114
Metz
Metz’s misery was prolonged as they lost their eighth game of the Ligue 1 season to a superior Saint Etienne side 3:1 away from home. Saint Etienne was dominant in the match and even hit the post early on, but despite this Metz took the lead into halftime as defender Fallou Diagne side-footed a cross into the back of the net. The lead could have been extended through Metz’s Nolan Roux’s powerful strike that the keeper could only parry away. From then on, however, it was all Saint Etienne as their attack came into synchronization, tearing the Metz defense apart and scoring three goals, which would have been four had goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima not saved a Saint Etienne penalty.
Metz seems to be stuck in a rut that they can’t get out of, as only a biblical event could reinvigorate this team to start winning games on the regular. One way Metz will look at their situation is that they are still just three points off of a safety spot outside of Ligue 1 relegation. That being said, Metz is still sure favorites to go down this season after their start.
Manager Philippe Hinschberger will have a full squad roster for Saturday’s match.
Dijon
The Mustards put in a noble and valiant performance as they held Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to a 2:1 win that their opponents needed 92 minutes to win. A volley attempted by Jordan Mariéfrom Naim Sliti’s cross hit wide was an early warning to PSG. Dijon was competing on all fronts, albeit some of PSG’s quality shining through with some slick moves, although none of them crossing the line until the 70th minute as Thomas Meunier slid the ball in following a save from Neymar’s shot.
However, Dijon earned a response and they were duly gifted from the gods the right for of Benjamin Jeannot, who smashed a looping volley over the keeper from far out to equalize with already a contender for goal of the season. Tragic as it was, the evil-like oil-rich PSG portrayed themselves as the cartoon villains once again and broke hearts with a 92nd-minute stoppage-time winner from Meunier once gain.
The performance was a massive change from early performances this season, and it will be especially pleasing to the team, players and fans that they were able to compete with the best. That being said, they are still in 19th place, but with more performances like their last they should be safe. The question will be whether manager Olivier Dall’Oglio can get his players up for the fight in every match and not just when the cameras are rolling.
Manager Olivier Dall’Oglio will be without centre-back Wesley Lautoa with a fractured leg, but will otherwise have a full squad.
Metz vs.Dijon – MATCH PREDICTION
This match isn’t exactly the glamour tie of the weekend, with 20th place hosting 19th and what is set to be a very empty looking stadium. That being said, it will be interesting to see what tactics each side will deploy, but I would predict that both teams will be more desperate not to lose, so I could see a draw arising, perhaps with no goals scored.
MY PICK: Draw (+243)
Additional Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-114)
