The Ligue 1 round 8 is scheduled for the upcoming weekend, prior to the international break and national team competitions. As always, for this round, we have prepared a two-match preview in hope to find some betting action and make some money.
In today’s matchup, we firstly take a look at a match between Rennes and Caen, two teams that achieved impressive results in their last games by surpassing expectations. In the other game, Nantes will host Metz, one side that had the luck of the gods and the other that had the luck of a person struck by lightning.
Rennes vs. Caen
3-Way: 1: Rennes +104; X: +258 Draw; 2: Caen +409
Spread -0.5: Rennes -105; Caen +106
Total +2.5: Over +123; Under -130
Rennes
Rennes achieved a decent 2:2 draw away at Saint-Etienne last weekend but could have easily gone away with three points. With few chances for either side in the first half, Benjamin Bourigeaud pulled a rabbit out of the hat in the 41st minute with a great improvised chip over the keeper and into the corner of the goal. Unfortunately for Rennes, they were unable to hold on to the lead until half-time as Saint Etienne leveled in injury time.
Soon in the second half, Rennes regained their lead through a penalty given after N’DombeMubele was shoved in the box, and finished into the corner by WahbiKhazri. Despite taking the lead for the second time, Rennes lost it once again as goalkeeper Benoit Costil naively took down an attacker in the box. The resulting penalty was scored despite Costil getting a hand to it. Then, Morgan Amalfitano had a great opportunity but his shot was pushed onto the post, and the same player was later fouled and a red card given to Gabriel Silva of Saint Etienne, but the sending off came too late in the game to make any real kind of impact.
Overall, Rennes will be pleased with the result against a side who is in good form. They will also look at their Ligue 1 fixtures coming up and think that they can pick up more points and wins in each of their next four games at least. Another huge positive is the consistently good performances of Benjamin Bourigeaud who scored a stunning chip against Saint Etienne.
Manager Christian Gourcuff will have a full squad selection for Saturday’s game.
Caen
Another three points for Caen over Amiens in a 1:0 home win was well deserved as they were in control over the entirety of the ninety minutes. In fact, Caen could have won by a lot more, with the ball finding Ivan Santini with a free shot at goal in the box, but he went wayward. Then, Santini came close again from a tight angle but it was saved and likely going wide anyway. Eventually Santini got his goal after a harsh penalty was given, but the penalty was well-take right in the top right-hand corner of the net; his third goal of the season. More chances came Caen’s way but never came off, but still they coasted to victory.
Caen are outperforming expectations by some way, with four wins and three losses so far, placing them in the eighth position in the Ligue 1 table, which would be a remarkable improvement on last season’s seventeenth place finish if they could maintain their position. To put their start into perspective, it took until November last season to get four wins, and this year they have reached four wins before September has even ended.
Manager Patrice Garande will be without any injury or suspension woes.
Rennes vs. Caen – MATCH PREDICTION
This is a different game to call. Rennes, although hasn’t got the results they’ve desired, has shown signs of a good side, especially going forward. On the other hand, Caen, who has had the results, I believe is average but will be confident.
Overall, I would recommend going for a draw.
MY PICK: Draw (+258)
Nantes vs. Metz
3-Way: 1: Nantes -133; X: +280 Draw; 2: Metz +530
Spread -1: Nantes +129; Metz -135
Total +2.5: Over +129; Under -137
Nantes
Claudio Ranieri’s side was lucky to come away from Strasbourg with a 2:1 win after they spent much of the game pinned under their opponent’s thumb. Strasbourg took lead early on with a header past goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, the first goal he had conceded in five games. The Nantes goalkeeper had a busy day, but not until his side scored two goals within ten minutes to take the lead, with midfielder Adrien Thomasson finishing into the top corner on the swivel, and then possibly the goal of weekend with a 30 plus yard strike flew into top left corner, scored by Leo Dubois. After their two goals, Nantes parked the bus and limited Strasbourg and Nantes to as few chances as they possibly could. Strasbourg did, however, get their chances, and nearly equalized at the death were it not for substitute David Alcibiade clearing off the line from a certain goal.
It’s fair to say that Nantes probably did not deserve the three points, but they won’t mind while the luck is with them in this current form. Their great current form has seen them win four of their last five Ligue 1 games, conceding just one goal, and drawing the other game. These results have seen them rise to the sixth position with thirteen points, but this success cannot underestimate keeper Tatarusanu’s contribution, as he has certainly been one of Ligue 1’s top performers with the number of key saves he has made.
Manager Claudio Ranieri will be without Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (meniscus tear) and Kayembe (cruciate ligament rupture) through injury.
Metz
After their first Ligue 1 win in the previous week, Metz slipped back into losing ways with a 1:0 home loss to Troyes. Metz started the game brightly, although there were few clear-cut chances in the first half, other than Metz’s Opa N’Guette going through on goal but shooting straight at the keeper. In the second half, Metz continued to dominate, with N’Guette forcing another stop and later Ivan Balliu forcing one more save with a curling shot. The further the game went on the more likely it seemed that Metz would score as the barraged the goal, and then a Troyes red card in the 67th minute seemed to validate Metz’s claim for the win. Unfortunately, for all their hard work, Metz was undone by an undeserved goal slid past the keeper in the 90th minute.
Although Metz has had a most terrible start to their Ligue 1 season, you have to feel for them at times with their lack of fortune. In their last game, they had far more clear-cut chances, and they retained 63% of possession, although games are won by goals and not by how much of the ball you have. Just three points in seven games for Metz is a little harsh, and they just need a couple of good results to turn their season around.
Manager Philippe Hinschberger will have a full squad selection for his side’s upcoming match.
Nantes vs. Metz – MATCH PREDICTION
I feel sorry for Metz, but I don’t think they’ll get a result against a Nantes side who simply has their tactics right. They start from the defense and have pace going forward to hurt on the counter, something that Metz will not be able to keep out. That being said, Nantes’ defense isn’t particularly strong, they just have, at least on this season’s performances, the best keeper in the Ligue 1.
MY PICK: Nantes to win (-133)
