Following an exciting fourth round of Ligue 1 fixtures, and then the international break, teams will come back refreshed and raring to go in their plight for domestic success. Furthermore, we have also seen the end of the transfer window with plenty of late transfer activity before the window shut, so we will get to see many players in action for the first time in what should be an interesting weekend of football.
In this double matchup we take a look at Caen vs. Dijon, with both teams confident after their respective wins, and Montpellier vs. Nantes, with both teams beginning their league campaign in mixed and unpredictable form. Both games promise to be closely-fought affairs with very little between the sides, but who will come out on top?
Caen vs. Dijon
3-Way: 1: Caen +117; X: +252 Draw; 2: Dijon +309
Spread -0.5: Caen +112; Dijon -110
Total +2.5: Over +129; Under -108
CAEN
Caen registered their second win in a row with a 1:0 home victory over opponents Metz. Caen came close early with a cross that was headed on to force a great save from the Metz keeper. Other than the aforementioned chance, it was a relatively uneventful first half with both teams creating just one or two chances, although the second half proved to be slightly more fruitful as Caen gained the advantage five minutes into half time. The decisive goal came from the only piece of real quality as a dummy, touch and volley from Ronny Rodelin saw him score the winner.
Two wins from their last two Ligue 1 matches place Caen in a healthy 8th position, and with their next five fixtures looking like games they could all pick up points from, Caen has a very good chance of solidifying their position. That being said, Caen also picked up six points from their first four games last season, and they finished their Ligue 1 campaign just one point above relegation, therefore it is important that Caen take it game by game.
Caen’s last week of transfer activity saw some notable arrivals and departures with winger Jan Repas coming from NK Domzale for one million euros, while winger Yann Karamoh and left-back Yann Karamoh were both sent out on loan.
Patrice Garande will have a full squad selection for Saturday’s game.
DIJON
A tight game against Montpellier saw Dijon come out as 2:1 victors and gain their first 3 points of the new Ligue 1 season. Dijon opened the scoring just before half time after a winding run from Wesley Said in the box took him past the opposition’s defenders and keeper, but was tackled; luckily the tackle fell straight to BenjaminJeannot to finish into the empty net. Montpellier replied soon after half time with a quick attack, pass across goal and a simple finish, but Dijon’s directness proved difficult to deal with the winning goal. A long ball to substitute Julio Tavares was headed down for Jeannot, who struck the ball well on the second bounce to mark his brace and three points for his side.
Dijon was unlucky with their early fixtures, playing Marseille away and Monaco at home, so four points from their first four Ligue1 games are not to be scorned at, neither is their first win of the league campaign. Saying that Dijon will have to be more creative going forward, as they didn’t manage a single shot on the target other than the two they scored.
Dijon had a busy deadline day with 2 additions and 2 departures before the window shut. Coming in were midfielder Xeka on loan from Lille and centre-back Papy Djilobodji joining from Sunderland also on loan. Going the other way was midfielder Jessy Benet on loan to Grenoble and Anthony Belmonte to Levski Sofia for an undisclosed fee.
Manager Olivier Dall’Oglio will be without any injury or suspension woes.
Caen vs. Dijon- MATCH PREDICTION
This will be an interesting matchup between two teams that finished 16th and 17th last season, and with both in decent form results-wise, a win for either side will really help create a momentum to avoid a relegation scrap.
However, neither team has been in free-scoring form and I would expect a low-quality game with a low number of goals.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-108)
Montpellier vs. Nantes
3-Way: 1: Montpellier +135; X: +229 Draw; 2: Nantes +285
Spread -0.5: Montpellier +131; Nantes -133
Total +2: Over -111; Under +106
Montpellier
Montpellier are now three games without a win after a closely-fought 2:1 loss to Dijon away from home. Unfortunately for Montpellier, Dijon scored just before half time after Montpellier defenders failed to make a strong challenge against a tricky run from attacker Saidthe in the box, which took him past the keeper with a tackle eventually coming, but the tackle fell straight to a Dijon attacker to finish into the empty net. Montpellier responded four minutes after half time as Jerome Roussillon worked the ball down the wing and passed to Giovanni Sio to finish for his first club goal. However, Montpellier’s joy was short-lived as Dijon scored the winner in the 62nd minute without reply.
There will be some serious concerns with this Montpellier side, who have now lost five away Ligue 1 games in a row and have scored just two goals this season so far. Their lack of creativity was also apparent in their last game, having just one shot on target. Although a four-point total isn’t disastrous at this stage of the league campaign, the four teams they have played are of a similar level and they will have to start winning these kinds of games, otherwise, they are destined for another relegation scrap.
Manager Michel Der Zakarian will have a full squad roster.
Nantes
A dull affair in Nantes saw a goalless draw with Lyon, a more than satisfactory result for the home side. Lyon had the best of the chances and probably should have scored at least once, going lose on many occasions including hitting the post. The best chance for Nantes came through Jules Iloki, who shot on the turn in the box but it was not powerful enough to challenge the keeper. And that was as good as it got for Ranieri’s men, who showed resilience but were also lucky to come away with a point.
This result will have instilled further confidence into the side after last match’s win, following a shaky start. What will be of concern is their lack of goals, just one this season so far, and it is a disappointment that Nantes have failed to address the issue especially when you consider that it is an ongoing problem from last season, having scored just 40 goals in Ligue 1.
During the last week of the transfer window, Nantes signed young winger Queensy Menig from Ajax for an undisclosed fee, then sent him out on loan. Also leaving the club was Mariusz Stepinski on loan to Chievo Verona.
Manager Claudio Ranieri will be without Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (meniscus tear) and Kayembe (cruciate ligament rupture) through injury, but will otherwise have a full squad.
Montpellier vs. Nantes – MATCH PREDICTION
With both teams on four points and neither looking particularly threatening going forward or defensively naïve, it’s difficult to pick a winner for the game.
Montpellier may just have the edge with the home advantage, but the safest bet would be a low-scoring game, considering that together the teams have scored just three goals this season.
MY PICK: Under 2 goals (+106)
