With five rounds of fixtures already played, we are now starting to see the Ligue 1 table take shape and gain an idea of who might be relegated and who could be crowned as champions of France. While round 5 was certainly not lacking in action, we’re hoping for even more action and excitement in this 6th round of the 2017/18 Ligue 1 campaign.
In today’s matchup, we first take a look at a match between Dijon and Saint Etienne, two teams that will be looking to recover from their last disappointing results. In the other game Guingamp will host Lille, two sides that didn’t get the result they deserved last weekend, but look like they may be ready to turn their fortunes.
Why not take a look at our season preview for an in-depth analysis of Ligue 1’s summer activity?
Dijon vs. Saint Etienne
3-Way: 1: Dijon +229; X: +235 Draw; 2: Saint Etienne +154
Spread 0: Dijon +127; Saint Etienne -130
Total +2: Over -133; Under +127
Dijon
Dijon suffered their third loss of the Ligue 1 campaign in a narrow defeat away at Caen last weekend. The home side took the lead after just five minutes, following overly aggressive defending from Dijon defender Cedric Yamberé on Ivan Santini, who coolly chipped the penalty in past the diving keeper. Following from the goal, Dijon had some great chances to equalize. Firstly, Wesley Said had a well-saved shot from wide inside the box, then Julio Tavares had a header denied when he may have scored if he’d directed his header either side of the keeper. Eventually, the pressure was rewarded by a goal, an unstoppable strike from Jordan Marie from 30 yards out.
Dijon’s opponents started the second half on the front foot, but other than some Caen chances there wasn’t any major action until the 79th minute when a straight red card was awarded to Caen’s Mbengue after he left a foot in a 50/50 challenge. However, the dismissal only seemed to help Caen as they scored a winner just two minutes later.
It was a tale of two halves for Dijon, in the first half they were threatening and linked together well, but in the second half, they were lackluster and lacking ideas. The loss was also to a team that may well be in a relegation battle, so to not gain a point would have been bitterly disappointing, especially now that they find themselves far behind in 19th place.
Manager Olivier Dall’Oglio will have a full squad selection for Saturday’s game.
Saint Etienne
A poor performance and a 1:1 draw to Angers suggests that Saint Etienne may still be suffering from their first defeat of the season to PSG in their previous Ligue 1 match. Angers’s defense was troubled from the off as they were unable to deal with Remy Cabella’s directness and pace, cutting through with one-two’s into the opponent’s box and then opened his body to finish around the keeper. Early elation turned into early deflation as Angers equalized with a penalty after Saint Etienne defender Ronael Pierre-Gabriel inexplicably threw a hand in the air from a cross and handballed the ball. That being said, Saint Etienne had their fair share of luck, with Angers hitting the crossbar twice in the first half.
If the first half was a game of a goal each, the second half was a game of a red card each. Firstly, Vincent Pajot was sent off when he attempted to turn in a cross, sliding it into the keeper. The referee deemed it to be dangerous play and a straight sending off, but on replay, the decision was a little harsh. The second red card came when Enzo Crivelli was sent off as he refused to back out of a challenge that he was never going to win, and the referee decided that there were an intentional excessive force and another straight red card. Despite the action in red, there wasn’t much action in the goal and the game ended 1:1.
Saint Etienne shouldn’t feel too disheartened by the result, as they drew to an unbeaten side and still have ten points from five games, sitting in the fourth position. New signing Remy Cabella is another huge positive as he has impressed greatly in his first two games for the club, showcasing his skill, pace and technical prowess, often looking a cut above the rest.
Manager Oscar Garcia will be without any injury or suspension woes.
Dijon vs. Saint Etienne – MATCH PREDICTION
It seemed that the 3:0 loss to PSG staggered Saint Etienne’s momentum, but they are still a strong Ligue 1 side and should have enough to dispatch Dijon, even if they are away from home.
I would, therefore, suggest betting on a Saint Etienne win.
MY PICK: Saint Etienne to WIN (+154)
Guingamp vs. Lille
3-Way: 1: Guingamp +124; X: +252 Draw; 2: Lille +288
Spread -0.5: Guingamp +120; Lille -118
Total +2.5: Over +120; Under -118
Guingamp
Guingamp was unlucky not to get a result with a decent performance against a strong Lyon side. Early on, a through ball put midfielder Lucas Deaux one-on one with the keeper, but he was denied by a smart save. Despite a promising start, it was Lyon who took the lead through a Mariano Diaz curled an effort from the edge of the box. Following the break, Guingamp found a way back into the game with a high-arching cross meeting a high-rising Marcus Thuram’s head and into the corner of the net. However, they often say that you are most vulnerable just after you’ve scored, and that was certainly the case as Lyon added a second and the winner within a minute of the equalizer.
Overall, although it would have been a disappointment not to win, Guingamp will be encouraged by their performance. During the game, they had thirteen shots to their opponents nine, with seven shots on target, and they also had 52% possession, impressive stats for an underdog away side. Saying that, Guingamp will have to improve their away form as their loss meant that they have had just one win on the road in their last fifteen Ligue 1 games.
Manager Antoine Kombouaré will have a full squad roster.
Lille
Fans will be encouraged at signs of a turnaround of fortune for Lille as they held on to a 0:0 draw against Bordeaux. In a game of few chances, it was Lille who had the lesser number of opportunities and were limited to half-chances throughout the game. Their chances of getting a result was severely reduced when defender Thiago Maia was sent off for a second yellow card after a reckless high foot. Lille were under the cosh thereafter, and for much of the game before, but showed resilience as they held on to a point.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa will be pleased with his side’s defiance in not losing, particularly when you consider that they have lost two of their last three Ligue 1 games. Saying that that’s now four games without a win for Les Dogues which is not good enough for a side that only until recent years used to compete for European spots. Furthermore, that’s now three games of four without a goal, and just one goal scored in four games; scored by Nicolas de Preville who made his debut for Bordeaux against Lille.
Marcelo Bielsa will be without defenders Adama Soumaoro (Achilles), Kevin Malcuit (wound) and defensive midfielder Thiago Mendes (wound). Goalkeeper Mike Maignan will also be out with a suspension.
Guingamp vs. Lille – MATCH PREDICTION
Both sides may have hoped that their last fixtures produced a better result, considering how their respective games went. That’s also the story of their Ligue 1 season so far, although both teams are showing small signs of improvements.
Overall, I don’t think either side is good enough to roll over the other, and it will be a tight affair.
MY PICK: DRAW (+252)
