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 match up, we will first take a look at Troyes, who will be keen to recover from a 2:1 loss to Bordeaux, playing Toulouse, who will be happy to have had an international break to recover from a heart-stopping 3:2 win over Rennes. In our other game two newly promoted sides, Strasbourg and Amiens will clash heads and each will hope to prove their survival credentials.
Troyes vs. Toulouse
3-Way: 1: Troyes +200; X: +238 Draw; 2: Toulouse +170
Spread 0: Troyes +112; Toulouse -116
Total +2.5: Over +125; Under -128
TROYES
In their last game, Troyes were dealt their second Ligue 1 loss in a row as they lost 2:1 away to Bordeaux. Troyes goalkeeper would have hoped that the game would have ended after just ten minutes following an awful mistake, kicking the ball straight to a Bordeaux attacker who finished to make it 1:0. Bordeaux then added a second from a headed cross, with Troyes struggling to keep their head above ground rarely threatening their opponents goal. However, they did manage to reply with some skillful running from Samuel Grandsir, who then crossed for teammate Stephane Darbion to head in past the keeper. Unfortunately for Troyes, it was just a consolation goal as they continued to be unable to break down their opponents defense.
Despite the loss, a total of four points in four games for Troyes is not an awful total figure, especially for a team that finished 3rd in Ligue 2 last season. However, they will have to start to create more chances in future games, as they managed just one shot on target against Bordeaux, to give better service to last season’s Ligue 2 top goal scorer Adama Niane.
Troyes had a quiet end to their transfer window, with Hyun-Jum Suk in from FC Porto on loan the only addition.
Jean-Louis Garcia will have a full squad selection for Saturday’s game.
TOULOUSE
Toulouse was on the happier side of a 3:2 thriller on home turf against a persistent Rennes side. Rennes opened the scoring through Firmin Ndombe as he snatched the ball from an overcrowded Toulouse defense and finished into the corner of the net. Toulouse equalized through a penalty converted and won by Jimmy Durmaz after a clear foul, slotting the ball away calmly. Following an even first half, Toulouse took the lead with a clever corner, knocked down by Christopher Jullien to teammate Issa Diop who smashed in an unstoppable half-volley.
The home side was looking like a team in the ascendancy, but let their lead up as defender Christopher Jullien failed to properly shield the ball for his keeper, letting a Rennes attacker sneak around and poke the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs. Fortunately for the home side, Toulouse restored their lead with another penalty after a very strong shoulder challenge, which was coolly finished for a second Durmaz penalty goal and his third of the season.
It could be said that Toulouse was fortunate to get the win, as they didn’t create too many chances, with a total of three shots on target, and two of their goals were penalties. Furthermore, they have now conceded eleven goals in their first four games, which will be of particular concern when you consider that they conceded just 41 goals last season, the fourth best record in theLigue 1. At least they finally were able to beat Rennes after losing or drawing in their last four encounters.
Recent transfer developments saw one incoming player on deadline day, namely defensive midfielder Giannelli Imbula coming from Stoke City on loan which should help with Toulouse’s defensive issues.
Manager Pascal Dupraz will be without any injury or suspension woes.
Troyes vs.Toulouse – MATCH PREDICTION
On paper, Toulouse are the stronger side, and although they have defensive frailties I wouldn’t expect Troyes to have the quality to expose them. Furthermore, although Toulouse has lost two Ligue 1 games they have been away to Monaco and PSG and have won their other two games, therefore I would fully expect them to beat newly promoted Troyes.
MY PICK: Toulouse to WIN (+170)
Strasbourg vs. Amiens
3-Way: 1: Strasbourg +120; X: +250 Draw; 2: Amiens +320
Spread -0.5: Strasbourg +110; Amiens -114
Total +2.5: Over +131; Under -137
STRASBOURG
Strasbourg were unlucky not to get a result against Guingamp as they ended up as 2:0 losers. A goalless first half was mostly action-less other than Strasbourg coming close but were denied by the post. Further misfortune came for the away side as winger Martin Terrier hit the post again with an excellent driving effort. The attacking midfielder Ihsan Sacko hit the crossbar with an incredible strike from serious range, which if it had gone in, may have been awarded goal of the season. Unfortunately, Strasbourg was punished for their lack of luck as Guingamp scored twice from crosses with a header and then a side footed finish.
Overall, it was an unfortunate day for this Strasbourg side and they were unlucky to not score at least a goal. They’ll have to quickly look past the game and look towards their next Ligue 1 fixture against Amiens SC, a fellow promoted side, and they will have to win if they are to convince themselves, fans and pundits that they can survive the Ligue 1 season.
There were some late additions to the Strasbourg side, with right back Dimitri Foulquier and centre-back Bakary Koné both joining on loan to bolster up their defense.
Manager Thierry Laureywill has a full squad roster.
AMIENS
After a goalless, winless and pointless start to Ligue 1, Amiens suddenly transformed into something else while they thrashed Nice 3:0. A wonderfully curled free-kick from new signing Gael Kakuta kick started a famous Amiens win after fifteen minutes, and thirteen minutes later Amiens got their second from a headed cross scored by Moussa Konaté. Despite only retaining 39% of possession during the game, Amiens was totally comfortable during the first half and exerted further control in the second half with a late third goal and the second goal from Konaté following some nice work down the wing from teammate Harisson Manzala.
From losing their first three games, credit should be given to Amiens for beating a team who finished 3rd last season. Saying that Nice have found it difficult to find any kind of rhythm this season and were there for the taking. Amiens now have a game against another newly promoted side to prove doubters wrong.
Amiens had a very busy end to their transfer window, left back Danilo Avelar on loan from Torino, winger Nathan from Chelsea on loan, Bongani Zungu to Vit Guimaraes for an undisclosed fee, forward Lacina Traoré from Monaco on loan and winger Serge Gakpé from Genoa for an undisclosed fee. Leaving the club were midfielder Tanguy NDombele on loan to Lyon and Aboubakar Kamara to Fulham for 5.4 million euros.
Manager Christophe Pélissier will have a full squad roster.
Strasbourg vs. Amiens – MATCH PREDICTION
I would put Amiens win down to a poor Nice side more than a good Amiens side, who have otherwise looked below Ligue 1 level; although they have made some clever late forward additions.
Strasbourg, on the other hand, has now looked out of place at this level and look like they may have enough to stay up, add to that that they have the home advantage a Strasbourg win seems more likely.
MY PICK: Strasbourg to WIN (+120)
