In this Ligue 1 preview, we firstly take a look at Saint Etienne and Rennes who will battle it out this weekend, with one side exceeding expectations and over falling below theirs. In our other game we look at one side on the down, Strasbourg, play another side on the up, Nantes.
Saint Etienne vs. Rennes
3-Way: 1: Saint Etienne +121; X: +252 Draw; 2: Rennes +300
Spread -0.5: Saint Etienne +114; Rennes -120
Total +2.5: Over +131; Under -137
Saint Etienne
Saint Etienne got back to winning ways following an action-packed 1:0 away win over Dijon last weekend. The first chance came for St-Etienne forward Jonathan Bamba, with his long-range effort deflecting off of a Dijon defender and then just wide of the post. St-Etienne’s Bryan Dabo then had a great chance to put his side 1:0 up, but his header from teammate Lois Diony’s deflected shot was directed into the keeper’s hands. Opponents Dijon had their fair share of chances, but it was the away side who got what became the winning goal after Jonathan Bamba was brought down in the box for a penalty, although it was uncertain whether he was fouled inside or outside the area, and Bamba converted for his third goal of the Ligue 1 season. Dijon tried to force a goal but it wouldn’t come off for them, and Saint Etienne left the happier side with the win.
A win for Saint Etienne meant that they remained in third place in the Ligue 1, with thirteen points from six games, a return that manager Oscar Garcia will be delighted with. Furthermore, their next fixtures are all winnable, with Rennes at home, Troyes away, then Metz and Montpellier at home; there could be a lot of points won if they can carry on their momentum. Saying that, they have only scored twice in their last three Ligue 1 games, and one of those being a penalty in their last game. It’s not like they haven’t created chances, as they had fifteen shots against Dijon, but they will have to be more clinical in front of goal.
Manager Oscar Garcia will have a full squad for Sunday’s match.
Rennes
After a very positive result in their last Ligue 1 fixture, Rennes will be extremely disappointed to have lost 1:0 at home to Marseille when they probably deserved at least a point. That being said, both teams were poor in the first half, with Hamari Traore coming closest for Rennes when he cut inside and shot straight at the keeper. Proceedings picked up in the second half, with Rennes having a few good chances, including when Morgan Amalfitano’s volley from a cross to the back post forced a strong save from the Nice keeper, and another when the promising young Benjamin Bourigeaud attempted an acrobatic overhead kick in the box, but it went just over the bar. Unfortunately for the home side, they had a number of chances but lacked the clinical edge, while Marseille just needed the one chance with their clinical edge, and it was their talisman Balotelli who blasted the ball into the roof of the net to end Rennes hopes.
Rennes is now in 15th position in the Ligue 1 table, but they may feel that they deserve a higher position after they’ve lacked fortune in previous games. They’ve shown that when it all comes together and they get their fair share of luck, they are capable of smashing a team like Marseille. The most concerning thing for Rennes is that their last game was the first in which they failed to score. With a tricky tie away at Saint Etienne coming up, another goalless match for Rennes is a possibility, and they will have to hope that forward players Ndombe Mubele and Bourigeaud keep their confidence for future fixtures.
Manager Christian Gourcuff will have a full squad selection.
Saint Etienne vs. Rennes – MATCH PREDICTION
Rennes has shown glimpses of being a good side, including games against top French sides, so I could definitely see them causes problems for their opponents. Saying that, Saint Etienne looks like a strong force and won’t concede many goals.
I think Saint Etienne will have just enough to win, but it will be close.
MY PICK: Saint Etienne to WIN (+121)
Strasbourg vs. Nantes
3-Way: 1: Strasbourg +192; X: +220 Draw; 2: Nantes +210
Spread 0: Strasbourg -103; Nantes +108
Total +2: Over +100; Under -108
Strasbourg
Strasbourg can look past their last Ligue 1 fixture where they simply came up against a superior side in their 3:0 loss at Monaco. Although Strasbourg wasn’t completely under the cosh for the match, Monaco was ruthless when they had their chances, especially with Ligue 1’s top scorer Radamel Falcao leading the attack. Firstly, Falcao set up Rony Lopes for an easy finish, then after the halftime a ball was crossed into Falcao for another simple finish, although he was way offside, and then an avoidable goal saw Kader Mangane fail to properly pass back to his keeper and Falcao capitalized and punished his opponent’s defense. Things could have been different for this Strasbourg side, considering that two of the goals were avoidable and that midfielder Jean Eudes Aholou had a great chance in the 34th minute, but he headed over from close when he had all the time in the world to set himself.
The loss has seen Strasbourg slip into 19th position in the Ligue 1 table, and the problems are clear to see. They simply cannot score, having failed to score in each of their last four games. Furthermore, just one of their strikers has scored this season, Idriss Saadi. A couple more games without a goal could really put his side in dire straits.
Manager Thierry Laurey will have a fully fit squad for Sunday’s upcoming match.
Nantes
A 1:0 win over Caen ensured Nantes fourth unbeaten game in front of a buoyant home crowd. Both teams showed a lack of ambition in the first half, but as time went by Nantes grew into the match and produced a great second half performance. Lucas Lima had a free kick well saved, and soon after midfielder Andrei Girotto produced a stunning strike from 25 meters out that hit the post on its way in. Nantes created a couple more chances with an Emiliano Sala header bouncing over the bar and Yassine el Ghanassy going on an excellent run past two defenders, but couldn’t find the finish.
Manager Claudio Ranieri has adopted Leicester-like tactics to his new side, with an emphasis on strength at the back and with skillful and pacey players going forward that cause problems on the break. After a shaky start to the Ligue 1 campaign, his tactics seem to be working, saying that I wouldn’t recommend going to see Nantes play with just seven goals scored across their six games; the lowest number in the league by some way.
Manager Claudio Ranieri will be without Kolbeinn Sigthorsson with a long-term meniscus injury, while Kayembe will also still be missing with a cruciate ligament rupture.
Strasbourg vs. Nantes – MATCH PREDICTION
With Strasbourg struggling to find the net, and Nantes having such a tight defense, it’s difficult to see many goals in this one. It could easily be a goalless draw, or Nantes may nick a goal to see them take the three points.
Overall, the best option is a low-scoring game.
MY PICK: Under 2 goals (-108)
