Excluding the match featuring French and European champions PSG, to whom we have dedicated a separate post, the most interesting match on Sunday’s Ligue 1 schedule is between Brest and Lille, two teams that finished in the top ten last season.
The Dogues finished fifth, 10 points ahead of the Bretons: however, 60 points were not enough to qualify for the most coveted cup, namely the Champions League. It is therefore no surprise that the club had to let go of two big names such as goalkeeper Chevalier and striker David, who ended up at PSG and Juventus respectively. Replacing the Canadian is the experienced Giroud: the former Milan player still wants to have his say despite being 38 years old after an uninspiring spell in MLS with Los Angeles FC. Brest’s goal, on the other hand, is to improve on ninth place, although it will be difficult to repeat the feat of two years ago, when the red and whites sensationally qualified for the Champions League. Eric Roy’s team has performed well in friendlies, even beating Napoli (2-1), and should at least avoid defeat, considering that Lille has not won here for twelve years: we predict at least one goal per side.
Predictions for other matches
There is great curiosity surrounding the debut of Paris FC, Paris’ second team, which returns to the top flight for the first time since 1979, with the city derby against PSG.
The Capitolini, led by Stephane Gilli, finished second in Ligue 2 last season, two points behind Lorient, thanks in part to a rock-solid defense, the least penetrated in the top two divisions of French soccer. For this reason, we expect a relatively uneventful match against Angers, who, like last year, are aiming to remain in the top flight. Another potential relegation battle is between Auxerre and Lorient: the home side are slight favorites, as the newly promoted visitors will need a few weeks to settle into the new division. Finally, Strasbourg have a good chance of coming away with points from their trip to Metz: Les Grenats lost almost all their key players in the transfer window.
Ligue 1: possible winners
Brest or draw (in Brest-Lille)
Auxerre (in Auxerre-Lorient)
Strasbourg or draw (in Metz-Strasbourg)
The match with less than three goals in total
Angers-Paris FC
Ligue 1: the match with at least one goal per team
Brest-Lille
Odds comparison
Auxerre’s victory is quoted at 2.35 on Lottomatica and 2.30 on Snai.
A “Goal” in Brest-Lille is priced at 1.65 on Lottomatica and Snai.