Firstly, Olympique Lyon, who recently edged past Stade Rennais in a tight 2:1 win, will play Bordeaux, who gained their first three points last weekend after they beat Metz 2:0 in convincing fashion. In the other game Montpellier, who lost in a cagey affair with opponents Toulouse in their last match, will host Strasbourg, who registered their first Ligue 1 win against Lille under strange circumstances.
Lyon vs. Bordeaux
3-Way: 1: Lyon -139; X: +334 Draw; 2: Bordeaux +475
Spread -1: Lyon +114; Bordeaux -115
Total +3: Over -102; Under -105
Lyon
Mariano Diaz impressed once again in a closely-fought 2:1 victory over Stade Rennais away from home. Netherlands international Memphis Depay got the first goal for Lyon with a lucky free kick, which bounced over the keeper’s hands as he dove towards the ball. A second was added by Mariano Diaz as he rose high over his opponent to head into the opposite corner, and had a number of chances to add to his tally. Rennes replied with a well struck free kick to make it 2:1 but it was too little too late to recover a point against a side in good form. In addition, Lyon was unlucky not to score three or four goals as the ball was cleared off the line twice in the first half.
One positive is that the ex-Real Madrid player Mariano Diaz has already shown he is a well-rounded goal-machine and looks like just the man they needed after Alexandre Lacazette left to Arsenal, although Lacazette’s record of 28 goals in 30 games will be difficult to replicate. Furthermore, two Ligue 1 wins now mean six points out of six for Les Gones and places them at the top of the league table on goal difference, and their next three games look very winnable, first Bordeaux at home, then Nantes away and finally Guingamp at home.
Lyon has not had much transfer activity of note recently, although they did send Nicolas N’Koulou out on loan to Torino.
Manager Bruno Génésio will be with a full squad roster for Saturday’s game.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux’s general mood may have improved from being knocked out of the Europa League by Videoton as they won their first Ligue 1 game with 2:0 at home to Metz. Despite a slow first half, Bordeaux took the lead through Valentin Vada, who produced a superb strike from outside the area to make it 1:0. Bordeaux added a second just after the hour mark as winger Malcolm sprinted with the ball down the wing, held off the tracking defender and passed it across goal for Younousse Sankhare, his second goal in two games, to turn it in with a simple finish that was easier to score than miss.
The second half of the game was a real positive for Bordeaux, and it seemed as though that as time went on, they grew in confidence and created a host of chances for themselves. This win also extends their Ligue 1 unbeaten run to nine games.
Bordeaux has made some moves in the transfer market recently with the additions of two Brazilians, winger Jonathan Cafu from Ludogorets for 7.5 million euros and defensive-midfielder Otavio from Atlético-PR for 5 million euros. Going the other way was Mauro Arambarri to Boston River on a free transfer.
Manager Jocelyn Gourvennec will have a full squad selection.
Lyon vs. Bordeaux – MATCH PREDICTION
Both teams look like they are starting to hit their strides in the new Ligue 1 campaign, but none more so than Lyon, especially in attack. In general, I believe that Lyon is the stronger side and will also have the home advantage.
I think it will be a close game but I would go for a Lyon win to extend their unbeaten run.
MY PICK: Lyon to WIN (-139)
Montpellier vs. Strasbourg
3-Way: 1: Montpellier -105; X: +276 Draw; 2: Strasbourg +384
Spread -0.5: Montpellier -111; Strasbourg +106
Total +2.5: Over -104; Under +102
Montpellier
The 2011-12 Ligue 1 champions were unlucky not to come away from Toulouse with a point as they lost 1:0 in a mostly action-less game. A soft penalty was awarded before half time against Pedro Mendes for pulling Ola Toivonen shirt, and the penalty was scored by Jimmy Durmaz. Montpellier captain Ellyes Skhiri hit the cross bar with a speculative shot but that was about as close as Montpellier came to scoring and they were unable to make the breakthrough, unaided by the fact that they made just one shot on target on the day.
Montpellier have now failed to score more than one goal in the last seven league games which will be of concern to Manager Michel Der Zakarian, who will hope new signing center-forward Giovanni Sio can start scoring goals soon. Montpellier’s next fixture is at home to newly promoted Strasbourg, so may have a chance to get some target practice.
The most recent transfer news has been the loss of attacking-midfielder Ryad Boudebouz to Real Betis for 7 million euros. His loss will not help their goal-scoring as he scored eleven and registered nine assists last season.
Michel Der Zakarian will have a full squad selection for Saturday’s game.
Strasbourg
Last year’s Ligue 2 champions won their first home Ligue 1 game since 2008 as they smashed Lille in a perplexing 3:0 home win. Other than a penalty shout for Strasbourg and a couple of chances for Lille the game was mostly uneventful until a red card in the 63rd minute. The red card came in a bizarre event when Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan threw the ball at Benjamin Corgnet’s head following a short spat.
Unfortunately for Lille, they had already used all three of their substitutions and ended up putting attacker Nicolas De Préville in between the sticks. Strasbourg goals started to flow as Martin side footed a corner in past the makeshift goalkeeper, which encouraged another change of keeper, then a penalty was converted by Dimitri Liénard and a third goal was added from a long shot executed by Jeremy Grimm that the keeper got a weak-hand to but couldn’t keep it out.
Although on the surface a 3:0 win looks decisive, it was more opportunistic of Lille’s goalkeeping troubles and we may see the real Strasbourg against Montpellier, as long as 22 men stay on the field. The result was three points nonetheless and will be vital for their survival.
Thierry Laurey will be without any injury or suspension woes.
Montpellier vs. Strasbourg – MATCH PREDICTION
Strasbourg was fortunate to grab a 3:0 win and will not be as free-scoring under different circumstances, while Montpellier is struggling to score goals themselves.
This will be a close game with Montpellier possibly the likelier to a team to grind out the win.
One thing I can say with conviction is that this will be a low-scoring game.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (+102)
