The Lille OSC, who continued to disappoint with a 1:1 draw against Angers, will be keen to recover from a poor start to their Ligue 1 season, while Bordeaux on the other hand, who continued their unbeaten run with a 2:1 win over Troyes, will be looking to consolidate their 5th position with another win. Saying that, perhaps the highlight of the game will be Nicolas de Preville, who has just made a deadline day transfer from Lille to Bordeaux and if he makes his debut it will prove to be very intriguing. The top ranked PSG will visit the bottom ranked Metz in the second game on Friday and looking at the table and their results, Metz will not have many reasons to be optimistic about.
Lille vs. Bordeaux
3-Way: 1: Lille +167; X: +246 Draw; 2: Bordeaux +200
Spread 0: Lille -118; Bordeaux +114
Total +2.5:Over +110; Under -114
Lille
Lille continued their par score of four points in four games with a 1:1 draw away at Angers. A dull first half saw few chances at each end, with right-back Kevin Malcuit coming closest with a speculative long-shot that was easily saved. The second half started brighter with Kevin Malcuit involved once again as he picked up a loose ball and ran towards goal, passing it off to the Lille attack who couldn’t forge a goal out of their missed opportunity.
Following their chance, Lille was punished for their lack of clinical finishing as Angers scored from a corner with midfielder Lassana Coulibaly rising above the Lille defense to head the ball into the far corner, leaving Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan with little chance to keep the ball out. Fortunately for Les Dogues, eight minutes later striker Nicolas de Preville found a moment of brilliance and curved and dipped a long-strike into the corner of the Angers goal to equalize, and add his second of the game.
The main positive manager Marco Bielsa and his side can take from the game are that they have ended their losing streak, after losing their last two league games, and with Lille’s first draw in twelve league games. In addition, the draw was achieved against a team that has proved difficult to beat, Angers, who are still unbeaten this league campaign.
Although Lille had their fair share of possession and shots, they only managed two attempts on target over the duration of the game. Marco Bielsa will have to look at these issues and consider making some changes as they have had similar problems throughout their start to the season. Unfortunately for Lille, their attacking issues have not been made easier to resolve with the loss of their top goal-scorer.
Lille had a fascinating, yet potentially disastrous deadline day as they lost goal-scorer Nicolas de Preville to Bordeaux for eight million euros, who had only just made a permanent move to Lille after spending the season on loan last season. What adds to the interest is that de Preville’s first game for Bordeaux will be back at Lille’s home ground, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, where he can expect a luke-warm reception at best. Furthermore, de Preville scored 16 goals in 34 league appearances for Lille, so will be missed dearly, especially when you consider that Lille has scored just once in their last three league games, with that goal being scored by the striker himself.
Marcelo Bielsa will be without centre-back Adama Soumaoro (Achilles tendon rupture)and defensive-midfielder Thiago Mendes (wound) all through injury. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan may also be out through suspension.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux maintained their unbeaten run with a satisfying 2:1 win over new Ligue 1 side Troyes. Bordeaux opened the scoring after just ten minutes, following a bad mistake from the Troyes goalkeeper as he kicked the ball out straight to Francois Kamano, who sped towards goal and slid it home. Bordeaux’s Brazilian star Malcom almost made it two after a good forward move put him through to attempt to place the ball through the keeper’s legs, but was denied from a good save.
Les Girondins dominant first half performance continued into the second and resulted in a second goal as Malcom was involved again with fantastic ball-control and skills to allow him space to craft a perfect cross for YounousseSankhare, headed the ball into the back of the net and added his third goal of the season.Troyes did, however, respond with a consolation goal just four minutes later following some direct tricky dribbling, cross and headed goal, bearing much resemblance to Bordeaux’s goal. Perhaps Bordeaux should have added a third and put the game to bed through Malcom, involved once again when he shot straight at the defender on the line following a skillful run and pass from teammate Theo Pellenard. Despite not putting the game out of reach for their opponents, Bordeaux was able to grind out the win and see the rest of the game out.
The 20-year-old Malcom put an impressive performance once again as he was pivotal in most of Bordeaux’s attacks. Additionally, he has easily been Bordeaux’s stand-out player so far this season, scoring twice and assisting three times over the first four games, and Bordeaux has done very well to keep their star man past the transfer deadline.
Another major positive will be that they are still unbeaten and sit in 5th position of the Ligue 1 table with eight points, with nine goals scored in four games, a very impressive record for European spot hopefuls.
Bordeaux made one major addition to their squad before the transfer deadline, with Nicolas de Preville coming from Lille, who has scored 32 Ligue 1 goals and will be sure to bolster their attack. As previously mentioned, what is of interest is that his first fixture will be back at his old club Lille, who he left to join Bordeaux.
Jocelyn Gourvennec will have a full squad selection for Friday’s match.
Lille vs. Bordeaux – MATCH PREDICTION
Here we have a tale of two teams, on one side Lille who have performed below expectations, while on the other side is Bordeaux, who have exceeded expectations. Pitting their forms against each other would suggest a Bordeaux win, as would the removal of Lille goals and the addition of Bordeaux goals through the signing of Nicolas de Preville.
Saying that I would say that the international break probably did a world of good for Marco Bielsa’s side and their preparation for this game, so it may be a closer game than their recent Ligue 1 results suggest.
Overall, I would still go for a Bordeaux win, but it will be a closer affair than expected as Marco Bielsa will set his side out in a way that will try avoid losing.
MY PICK: Bordeaux to WIN (+167)
Additional Pick:Under 2.5 goals (-114)
Metz vs. Paris SG
3-Way: 1: Metz +2600; X: +902 Draw; 2: Paris SG -500
Spread +2.5: Metz +110; Paris SG -114
Total +3.5: Over -128; Under +127
Metz
Metz have failed to pick up a single point this Ligue 1 season so far, with their poor run continuing after losing away at Caen. Metz started brightly as defender Milan Bisevac came close with an early header, but was well-saved. Opa N’Guette also had a great chance but couldn’t steer the ball on target from 2 yards out, partly due to an onrushing keeper. Unfortunately for Les Graoullys, it was Caen who opened the scoring as Ronny Rodelin volleyed into the corner of the following clever ball-control and they could have added a second from a corner were it not for a great stop from goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
Four losses in four matches spells crisis for this Metz side, especially when you consider that they are bottom of the Ligue 1 table and the only team with no points. It might not get easier for them either with a very tough fixture to contend with next.
Metz was busy towards of the end of the transfer window, signing for attacker Emmanuel Riviere from Newcastle, defender Philipp Wollscheid from Stoke City and winger Mathieu Dossevi from Standard Liege over the last week of the transfer window. During this period, they sent Habib Diallo on loan to Stade Brest.
Philippe Hinschberger will have a full squad selection for Sunday’s game.
Paris SG
A comfortable 3:0 win over Saint-Etienne meant that Paris has solidified their position at the top of the Ligue 1 table with 12 points out of 12 possible. Uruguayan international Cavani opened the scoring with a clinical penalty after he was clumsily brought down by St. Etienne defender Saidy Janko in the box. Apart from the goal, it was a relatively uneventful first half and it took until after the half time to add a second through Thiago Motta, who poked the ball in from a Marquinhos header from a Neymar free-kick delivery. Cavani then added his second and fifth of the season with an ingenious back heel from Thomas Meunier’s cross.
The win meant that Paris Saint-Germain has now gone ten games unbeaten against Saint-Etienne, and against a side who also had a 100% record in the league before the fixture. Saying that it was by no means a classic performance as St-Etienne exposed some defensive frailties, having two one-on-ones during the game but were unable to convert the chances. Les Parisiens also only managed two shots on target, the same number as their opponents; although you could say it demonstrated their efficiency in front of goal.
Unai Emery’s side had a hectic last couple of the days to the transfer window, signing Kylian Mbappé on loan from Monaco, with a view to buying at the end of the season, who is expected to make his debut this weekend. Going the other way was right-back Serge Aurier to Spurs for 22.5 million pounds, while winger Gonçalo Guedes and midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak were both sent out on loan.
Manager Unai Emery will be without any injury or suspension woes.
Metz vs. Paris SG – MATCH PREDICTION
This will be one of the easiest games to predict all season, with Metz bottom of the league table and Paris St-Germain at the top, Metz scoring just once all season and Paris SG scoring fourteen times. Metz was beaten in all Ligue 1 games so far, while Paris SG is still unbeaten.
I would, therefore, suggest betting on a convincing Paris SG win.
MY PICK: Paris SG 2.5 AH (-114)
