With another international break coming to a close with further heartbreak and joy the French Ligue 1 comes back for its ninth round of fixtures. While some teams are falling away into a relegation scrap, the top of the table is still tight and a plethora of teams are still capable of pushing for those coveted European spots. This round of matches promises some more battles between some of these top sides and some sides low down in the table attempting to gain some momentum to help them escape relegation next May.
In this double-matchup, we take a look at two matches which are sure to be great spectacles. Firstly, we look at one of the highlights of the weekend, Bordeaux versus Nantes, two Ligue 1 teams that will likely be confident and fancy themselves for a win. In the other game Montpellier and Nice will face-off, another game that will surely be a closely-fought affair.
Bordeaux vs. Nantes
3-Way: 1: Bordeaux -123; X: +275 Draw; 2: Nantes +500
Spread -0.5: Bordeaux -133; Nantes +129
Total +2.5: Over +125; Under -137
Bordeaux
Bordeaux’s unbeaten streak was ended as they were all but bystanders to a mighty Paris Saint Germain side. Goals from Cavani, Neymar, and Meunier meant that Bordeaux was down 3:0 within half an hour, but Bordeaux seemed like they may have found a way back into the game on the 21st minute. It was a well-worked goal that made it 3:1 after Theo Pellenard drove forward and turned quickly to pass to Nicolas de Preville who squared the ball for Younousse Sankhare, who had an easy time finishing into the net. Unfortunately, Bordeaux just couldn’t keep the formidable PSG attack out as they scored three more through Neymar, Julian Draxler, and Kylian Mbappé to put the game far beyond doubt. Bordeaux did get another late consolation goal with an emphatically finished Malcom penalty, but it did little to console their players in what was a harrowing 6:2 loss.
The six-times Ligue 1 champions should not feel too disheartened about their last result, as they weren’t the first and they won’t be the last to be humiliated by this PSG side. Hopefully, the result won’t derail their season after they gained some real momentum, going unbeaten until their last fixture. The two goals were one positive, and they’ll need their shooting boots on for their next Ligue 1 fixture if they wish to bounce back.
Manager Jocelyn Gourvennec will be without right-backs Milan Gajic (shoulder) and Youssouf Sabaly (muscle tear) through injury, but will otherwise have a full squad.
Nantes
Another win means that Nantes has now gone six matches unbeaten following their 1:0 victory at home to Metz. Nantes dominated throughout, although it was an early Emiliano Sala goal which made the difference, pouncing on the rebound from a good save from the opposition’s keeper. Just a few minutes later Sala had another great chance as he went through on goal, but his shot was well saved. Nantes continued to control the game, and their job was made easier in the 52nd minute when a Metz defender received a red card, but still had to be saved by the referee when he ordered a retake of a penalty which was consequently missed in the dying seconds of the game.
Nantes’ win did not only signify six games unbeaten and four wins on the trot, but also their fourth 1:0 win of the season. The results only highlight the work that manager Claudio Ranieri has done with his new side, working from the back and nicking a goal on the break with pacey and chaotic attacks. You have to ask how long this run can last for, or if Ranieri can do what he did with Leicester and extend the current form over the whole Ligue 1 season.
Claudio Ranieri will be without a number of players, including Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (meniscus) and Kayembe (cruciate ligament rupture), forward Yacine Bammou (hamstring), centre-back Nicolas Palois (sprained ankle) and left-midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic (foot) through injury.
Bordeaux vs. Nantes – MATCH PREDICTION
With two sides who have had positive starts to their Ligue 1 season, this match will be a great indicator as to where these sides can go this season, whether it be within the European spots or just outside. Nantes will suffocate the attack, but I think that Bordeaux has the quality to get at least a goal, but at the same time I don’t think Nantes will be beaten.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-137)
Additional Pick: Correct Score: 1:1 (+650)
Montpellier vs. Nice
3-Way: 1: Montpellier +160; X: +236 Draw; 2: Nice +220
Spread 0: Montpellier -128; Nice +123
Total +2.5: Over +125; Under -130
Montpellier
Montpellier made another great showing of themselves in their last fixture drawing 1:1 away at the defending French champions Monaco’s ground. The away side even started on the front foot with Pedro Mendes forcing a save as he cut in and attempted to curl the ball around the keeper’s hands. However, it was Monaco who struck first with Falcao’s twelfth goal of the season, although goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte nearly kept the ball out. Thankfully, a decisive substitution produced the equalizer following a goal from Souleymane Camara, using all of his neck muscles to power the ball into the back of the net in the 92nd minute.
The result was a great one against the current champions and equaled their previous result when they also drew 1:1 to top of the league PSG. This shows that there are real strength and steel in this Montpellier side who should use this as a platform to work their way further up the league table. In addition, they were more than competitors on the pitch against Monaco, retaining slightly more possession and having fifteen shots at goal to Monaco’s eight.
Manager Michel Der Zakarian will have a full squad selection.
Nice
Nice were dealt another blow in their plight for European competition after a 4:2 home loss to Marseille in their last match. The game couldn’t have started better for Nice, having scored twice in just over twenty-five minutes to take a 2:0 lead. Firstly, Mario Balotelli headed in from a corner for his fifth goal of the season, and then from another corner, the ball fell to Jean Michel Seri whose long-range effort was deflected into the back of the net. But from there, Nice fell apart as they conceded three goals within the next half hour, and then another just after halftime. Matters were only improved when midfielder Luis Gustavo was sent off for a dangerous studs-up challenge, leaving Nice a small chance to get back into the game. However, salt was further rubbed into the wound when Alassane Plea missed a late penalty and signified the end of hopes of a comeback.
Nice’s collapse was quite spectacular and will not help things after they just started to hit their stride. In addition, they can look at seventy minutes of the ninety with pride, as they were probably the better side, but they were unfortunately undone by the other twenty minutes where the floodgates opened. Although, they’ll have to kick some of the bad habits out soon if they wish to improve on their current tenth place position.
Manager Jean Louis-Garcia will have a full squad selection for his side’s upcoming match, other than attacking midfielder Benjamin Nivet who is out with a foot injury.
Montpellier vs. Nice – MATCH PREDICTION
On paper, Nice should have enough to edge this game, but Montpellier has proved doubters wrong again and again and it would be foolish to doubt them this time. Overall, I think it will be a close game and a draw is the likeliest result.
MY PICK: DRAW (+236)
