Welcome back to the Last Word on Football’s previews and predictions for Ligue 1. We have reached the eleventh round of matches and Paris Saint Germain have a five-point lead at the top. The eleventh round of matches sees PSG and Marseille clash in the first Le Classique of the season. While Monaco head to Nantes in the Friday night game.
Marseille Looking to End A 15 Match Winless Run Against Paris Saint Germain in Le Classique
Kylian Mbappe Expected To Start as Neymar Misses Out
Paris Saint Germain and Marseille go head to head in the first Le Classique of the season. Paris Saint Germain are full of confidence after their emphatic Champions League win on Tuesday. Thomas Tuchel’s team are on the hunt for a fourth straight league win and extend their unbeaten run against Marseille to 16 games. Kylian Mbappe is expected to start on Sunday night following his impressive hattrick in the Champions League. However, Neymar remains out injured. While Thomas Meunier and Ander Herrera are injury doubts. Mauro Icardi is expected to keep his place following his two goals in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Edinson Cavani is closing in on full fitness.
Its been a steady if not spectacular start for Andre Villas-Boas in charge of Marseille. Villas-Boas’ team sit just outside the Champions League places and are desperate to secure a victory against Paris Saint Germain. Marseille are fresh off an excellent win over Strasbourg. Their form is relatively solid losing just once in the last nine games. Dario Benedetto is full of confidence and will fancy he can hurt Paris Saint Germain’s defence. Dimitri Payet is back from suspension, but the game comes too soon for the injured Florian Thauvin.
Monaco Are Hunting A First Away Win Of The Season
The eleventh round of matches kick off in Brittany as Nantes welcome Monaco. Second place Nantes are looking to respond from their defeat to Metz last weekend and face a Monaco side looking for a fourth win in five games. Christian Gourcuff’s team suffered just a second defeat of the season as they lost a tight game with Metz. However, Nantes are imperious at home this season winning four of their five games as well as shutting out every single team that has visited this season. Their record will be put on the line against free-scoring Monaco but, Christian Gourcuff will challenge his side to show their efficiency at home once again. Molla Wague and Imran Louza are suspended while Marcus Coco, Rene Krhin, Cristian Benavente and Charles Traore are injured.
Monaco head to Brittany full of confidence having notched three wins in their last four games but remain on the hunt for a first away win of the season. Monaco has both Islam Slimani and Wissam Ben Yedder in terrific form and will look to them to secure a first away success. However, Monaco will be without Stevan Jovetic, William Geubbels, Diego Benaglio and Pietro Pellegri. There is a spring in the Monaco step, but they must take steps forward on the road with having taken just two points on their travels this season.
LWOF Predictions
Nantes vs Monaco
Two sides in good form face off in the opening game of the weekend. Nantes hunting a fifth win in seven games while Monaco are looking for a fourth win in five games. Les Canaris are imperious at home, Monaco poor on their travels.
Nantes 2-1 Monaco
Brest vs Dijon
Brest are searching for a third straight league win. Dijon are looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games. Brest strong at home, Dijon slowly improving on their travels.
Brest 2-1 Dijon
Lille vs Bordeaux
Christophe Galtier’s Lille are looking to extend their unbeaten run at home. Bordeaux are looking to gain some consistency in their form. Both teams are looking to respond following defeats last weekend.
Lille 2-2 Bordeaux
Lyon vs Metz
Lyon are desperate to stop their eight-match winless run. Rudi Garcia has yet to win in his opening two games and is desperate for a positive result this weekend. Metz are flying high having collected a much-needed win against Nantes last time out. Lyon have won just once at home, while Metz have won just once on their travels.
Lyon 1-0 Metz
Montpellier vs Angers
Both Montpellier and Angers are looking to respond from defeats last time out. Montpellier are strong at home and are looking to extend their unbeaten run at home to five games. Angers are winless in three games which include back to back losses. Their early momentum appears to have dwindled.
Montpellier 2-0 Angers
Reims vs Nimes
Reims are in excellent form having won three of their last four games. They also boost the best defence in Ligue 1. In contrast, Nimes are struggling having won just once in their last six games.
Reims 1-0 Nimes
Strasbourg vs Nice
Two sides in desperate need of a win. Strasbourg sunk to the bottom of the table after last weekend’s results. Thierry Laurey’s side have suffered back to back losses and need a response. Nice are also out of form having not won in their last four games. The pressure is starting to increase on Patrick Vieira.
Strasbourg 1-3 Nice
Paris Saint Germain vs Marseille
Paris Saint Germain are seeking a fourth straight league win. Marseille are hunting back to back wins for the first time since the start of September. Paris Saint Germain are unbeaten in 15 matches with Marseille. Expect that to continue.
Paris Saint Germain 3-1 Marseille
Rennes vs Toulouse
Rennes are desperate for a win. The home side are winless in seven games and have lost their last two games. Antoine Kombouare got a dream start in charge of Toulouse beating Lille however, Les Violets are winless on their travels this season.
Rennes 2-1 Toulouse
Saint Etienne vs Amiens
Claude Puel is enjoying a strong start in charge of Saint Etienne. Les Verts are seeking a fourth straight league win. Amiens are showing real shoots of improvement under Luka Elsner having gone unbeaten in their last three games.
Saint Etienne 1-1 Amiens
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