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 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.
Today we firstly take a look at Nantes, who will look to continue with their great form, host Guingamp, who will be raring to go after their last win in a local derby. The other match will see a clash further down the table with Rennes hosting Lille, both sides yearning for a win.
Nantes vs. Guingamp
3-Way: 1: Nantes +125; X: +231 Draw; 2: Guingamp +305
Spread -0.5: Nantes +118; Guingamp -125
Total +2: Over -123; Under +116
Nantes
Nantes extended their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 last weekend with a solid display in a 1:1 draw away at Bordeaux. The first half saw few chances between the two sides, but the opening goal came just before the half-time whistle following a scramble in the box, Prejuce Nakoulma controlling and scoring for Nantes from teammate Lea Dubois’s shot; with hints of handball from Dubois. The second half saw Bordeaux grow into the game, especially after scoring a well-worked goal two minutes into the 45 minutes. Furthermore, Nantes goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu had to save his side with a late excellent save diving across goal to deny what should have been a winning goal.
The tactics deployed by Nantes were exactly as expected, trying to suffocate a talented Bordeaux forward-line, and that is what they carried out for the most part. Manager Claudio Ranieri will be satisfied with the draw, leaving them in fifth place and with seventeen points, level with third place Saint Etienne which will be Nantes’ aim, so they may play with a little more freedom in their next fixture to get three points rather than one.
Claudio Ranieri will be without a number of players, including forward Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (meniscus), left-midfielder Kayembe (cruciate ligament rupture), forward Yacine Bammou (hamstring), centre-back Nicolas Palois (sprained ankle), left-midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic (foot) and midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy (hamstring) all through injury.
Guingamp
The first Derby Breton of the new Ligue 1 season was won by Guingamp last weekend as they beat Rennes 2:0. Guingamp was on top for the first-half, with attacker Jimmy Briand, who is an ex-Rennes player having come up through their youth system, forcing a couple of good stops. Briand’s teammate Ludovic Blas had a great chance in front of goal, but he couldn’t find the right finish as his shot was arrowed straight into the keeper’s hands on the floor. Guingamp were very much in the ascendance as the second half started, and they got their goal through a counter-attack with attacker Marcus Thuram coming forward, cutting in, then out again and lashing a shot against the crossbar, which deflected onto the arm of Mustapha Diallo, as spotted on replay, and into the back of the net, followed by protests by Rennes and a red card for one of their players. Jimmy Briand was then further involved with a couple more chance, one slapstick moment coming when he lost balance after stealing the ball from a defender and taking it past the keeper, shooting wide as he stumbled to the floor. Thankfully, Briand saved himself from his blushes as he controlled a cross behind him with a clever touch and volley into the net to seal Guingamp’s win.
The win was a sweet one, with Guingamp being the much more threatening side with nine shots on target to Rennes’ zero. The win will be further sweetened by the fact that it was four years since Guingamp won their local rivalry at home in four years. The win took Guingamp into the top half of the table in ninth position, although they’ll do well to maintain a top finish with some their next three away fixtures being at Nantes, Monaco, and Marseille.
Antoine Koumbaré will have a full squad other than right-back Jonathan Martins Pereira with a calf injury.
Nantes vs. Guingamp- MATCH PREDICTION
Guingamp aren’t a particularly free-scoring side by Ligue 1 standards, and Nantes should make it difficult to score anyway, and with their recent form of five wins and two draws from their last seven, I believe that they will have enough to edge the game.
MY PICK: Nantes to WIN (+125)
Additional Pick: Under 2 goals (+116)
Rennes vs. Lille
3-Way: 1: Rennes +137; X: +246 Draw; 2: Lille +277
Spread -0.5: Rennes +123; Lille -128
Total +2.5: Over +129; Under -130
Rennes
A toothless performance saw Rennes lose their first away Derby Breton for four years in their 2:0 loss to Guingamp. The home side absolutely dominated the first half, and most of the match limiting Rennes to almost no chances at all. Guingamp opened the scoring in the 57th minute, which Rennes may have found themselves somewhat hard done by, as the scorer seemed to control the ball with his hands following a scramble in the box. On the other hand, Rennes cannot feel too aggrieved by their over-the-top protests causing Wahbi Khazri to be shown his first and second yellow card and sent for an early bath. Then, Guingamp added a second in the last minute of normal time to seal a win and reflect a result where Rennes performed way below their standards.
Being fair to Rennes, many of their losses and draws this season have been under circumstances when they probably deserved more. Their last match, however, was a shambles as they failed to register a single shot on target. Rennes now find themselves stuck in a relegation battle where they would have not hoped or expected to be, and are now level on points with 19th place and four points below the place above them. Luckily their next fixture is against another side in dire straits, so perhaps they’ll have the opportunity to register their first Ligue 1 win in five matches.
Manager Christian Gourcuff will have a full squad roster for Saturday’s match, other than forward Ismaila Sarr still out injured with a torn tendon.
Lille
Lille was forced to wait a little longer for a win in Ligue 1 as they were held to a 2:2 draw at home by Troyes. The four-times Ligue 1 champions were faced with a tough task when Troyes opened the scoring within three minutes, but Lille did not seem fazed by the task as they equalized less than ten minutes later with Luiz Araujo volleying a cross into the back of the net. Lille stayed on the front foot and eventually took the lead in the 74th minute as Thiago Mendes swiveled on the ball and steered it into the corner of the goal. The home side was well on their way to victory, but a silly foul from Ibrahim Amadouas he brought down a Troyes attacker in the box causing the referee to deliver a red card, but to his surprise, the referee sent off his teammate Edgar Iéinstead. The penalty was duly converted, and Lille was harsh done by to only come away with a draw.
The Lille display was dominant, retaining 65% of possession and not allowing Lille a single shot on target. The result will anger manager Marcelo Bielsa who’s original aim was a top-five finish, but that target is unrealistic after winning just one match from their first nine. Although their draw was disappointing, they deserved to win, and perhaps the late equalizer was due to fatigue as Lille had not played a competitive match in three weeks.
Marcelo Bielsa will be without centre-back Adama Soumaoro (Achilles) and Rominigue Kouamé (shoulder).
Rennes vs. Lille- MATCH PREDICTION
In a battle between 15th and 16th place, this match is massive for both sides as each team is performing well below expectations. Both sides have the quality to turn things around, but this match may determine if they actually do it or not, and I think both teams will take the risk and go for the win, canceling each other out.
MY PICK: Draw (+246)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score (-105)
