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. Today we look at Rennes, who were excellent in their 3:1 win over Marseille, versus Nice, who might be back on track after a shock 4:0 hammering of Ligue 1 champions Monaco. Our other game will be the highlight of the weekend, as league leaders PSG, who dealt another heavy defeat to Metz recently, will take on another unbeaten side Lyon, who defeated Guingamp last weekend in a closely-fought match.
Rennes vs. Nice
3-Way: 1: Rennes +150; X: +249 Draw; 2: Nice +229
Spread 0: Rennes -133; Nice +135
Total +2.5: Over +112; Under -116
Rennes
Rennes were scintillating last weekend when they beat a strong Marseille side 3:1 away from home. The home side was stunned by a goal within two minutes, as WhabiKhazri coolly backheeled Ismaila Sarr’s cross into the corner of the net. It only took eight minutes for Rennes to add a second through winger Benjamin Bourigeaud who smashed the ball inside the near post from range. Rennes continued their dominance through to the second half, as Joris Gagnon turned in a low-cross to make it three. Despite a Marseille consolation goal, Rennes were always in the ascendancy and should have added a fourth with a penalty, which was put over the bar by N’dombeMubele who would have scored his 4th of the season were it not for his miss.
It was satisfying to see Rennes finally get their first win of the league campaign, which was fully deserved when you consider how unlucky they have been with previous results. The three goals also signify Rennes scoring eight goals in three games, showing signs of improvement over last season when they scored just 36 goals in 38 games. In addition, it was an impressive debut performance for new signing WahbiKhazri who joined from Sunderland on loan over the summer.
Manager Christian Gourcuff will have a full squad selection for Sunday’s game.
Nice
Nice looked like a different beast when they smashed league champions Monaco 4:0 last weekend. Mario Balotelli was central to the win, first winning a penalty for his side when he was brought down in the box, which he calmly converted and made sure his presence was felt in the Allianz Riviera with his signature minimal celebration. Alassane Pléa added a second as he cut-in and shot past the keeper following a counter-attack. Nice cruised into the second half, and looked comfortable against Ligue 1 defending champions Monaco, particularly when Mario Balotelli added his second with a simple finish from a low cross. Soon after the third goal, Balotelli was taken off to a raucous applause, and his substitute finished the route as he broke through the Monaco defense, took it around the keeper and finished into the empty net.
After a disappointing start for a team that finished third last season, a full introduction of Mario Balotelli seemed to revitalize this Nice side that was lacking in confidence. Balotelli offered a focal point to Nice attacks, and more than proved his worth with two well-taken goals. Although new signing Wesley Sneijder was not present, every Nice fan will be excited to see how he and Balotelli link up in future games.
Manager Lucien Favre will be without midfielder Wylan Cyprien with a cruciate ligament rupture, but will otherwise have a full squad.
Rennes vs. Nice – MATCH PREDICTION
It’s difficult to separate these two sides, they’ve both had tricky starts but I don’t think it’s at all representative of where they will end their season in the table. With both teams showing signs of improvement, beating two of the top Ligue 1 sides, it should prove to be an exciting game, and I would predict that both teams will cancel each other out.
MY PICK: Draw (+249)
Paris SG vs. Lyon
3-Way: 1: Paris SG -400; X: +865 Draw; 2: Lyon +1805
Spread -2.5: Paris SG +110; Lyon -114
Total +4: Over -118; Under +114
Paris SG
Paris Saint-Germain won by another clear margin as they dispatched Metz with a 5:1 score-line away from home. It took until the 31st minute for PSG to open the scoring, as Neymar forged a pass through to Cavani who just had the keeper to beat and finish. PSG was in second gear for most of the first half and suffered from a lapse in concentration as a chipped ball was headed in unchallenged to make it one-all.
The day was made easier for PSG when Metz defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto was sent off for a sliding tackle from behind, but on replay, he appeared to win the ball. The red card opened the floodgates for PSG as Kylian Mbappé volleyed in from the edge of the box, a debut goal, and Neymar added a third with a clinical effort into the corner outside the area. Cavani scored his second and his team’s fourth after the ball bounced around in the box, and a fortunate fifth saw Lucas Moura poke the ball over the line on the rebound.
Although the red card for Metz was lucky for PSG, they say that you make your own luck and the away side certainly made the most of the situation. Saying that PSG probably still had more than enough to win the game in the second half without the red card. One thing that manager Unai Emery will have to look at is his defense, particularly in big Ligue 1 and Champions League games, as their emphasis on forward play often seems to leave their defense vulnerable. One positive will be Kylian Mbappé who made his debut, and it was a good first appearance, suggesting that a forward line of Mbappé, Cavani, and Neymar will be more than serviceable.
Unai Emery will have a full squad roster other than Angel Di Maria who is out with a hamstring injury.
Lyon
Lyon is still unbeaten in the league after they narrowly beat Guingamp 2:1 in their home stadium. Mariano Diaz scored his fourth goal of the season after nineteen minutes to put Lyon 1:0 up as he curled the ball into the net from range. Lyon came close again in the first half, as Nabil Fekir’s free-kick was deflected onto the crossbar. Later in the second half, Guingamp equalized with a headed cross, but it took just one minute for Lyon to regain the lead through some sleek footwork in the box by Nabil Fekir, shimmying past two defenders and finishing into the corner of the net.
Eleven points from their first five games is a good improvement on last season when they managed just seven; especially pleasing for a side with European ambitions. Another positive is Mariano Diaz getting back on the scoresheet after not scoring in his last two games, and he looks like a great replacement for Alexandre Lacazette who left for Arsenal this summer. The Dominican Republican and another goal scorer Nabil Fekir look like they will be the two torch-bearers this campaign.
Manager Bruno Génésio will have a full squad for Sunday’s match.
Paris SG vs. Lyon- MATCH PREDICTION
In what will be the highlight of the weekend, Lyon will still have to produce an excellent performance to get a result against an unstoppable-looking PSG side. It’s difficult to see when this group full of stars will lose, but this may prove to be their first stern test.
All things said, PSG should be able to record an easy win, and I think there will be a few goals in the game.
MY PICK: Over 4 goals (-118)
