Ligue 1: There is not only the challenge between Rennes and Psg, with which the 19th day will end. Predictions on the 1pm and 3pm matches.
Lens’ victory over Psg on New Year’s Day has put some spice back into a Ligue 1 that, like every year, sees one team ahead of all. The Parisians, needless to say, have an ultra-luxury squad full of champions and are clearly stronger than any of their opponents, despite a few missteps.
Yesterday Franck Haise’s Giallorossi beat Auxerre 1-0 to move back to within -3 and increase the pressure on Christophe Galtier’s battleship, which will have to replicate this evening in the difficult away match at Rennes’ Rhoazon Park. But Sunday in the French top league is not limited to the long-distance clash between Lens and Psg. There are several interesting matches that we will analyse in the next few lines, with the exception of the 5:05pm match between Monaco and Ajaccio, to which we have dedicated a separate post.
Ligue 1, Fonseca’s Lille on the pitch
The first team to take to the pitch, in what we properly call a ‘lunch match’, is Lille, coached by former Roma player Paulo Fonseca. The Dogues host Troyes, who have just been beaten 2-0 by Marseille in the midweek session, and will be looking for a success that would bring them even closer to the Europa zone.
Thuram from Nice
This was a ‘replay’ of the recent Coupe de France match, in which David and his teammates prevailed 2-0. The double draw with Reims and Brest in the league has slowed down the Portuguese coach and his men, which is why the three points are needed to get going again. Victory should come easily for Lille, in a match with at least three goals in total. Nice, on the other hand, will risk something at the Reims ground. After Lucien Favre was exonerated, the Rossoneri got off to a great start, overwhelming Montpellier 6-1. A show of strength that they might not be able to replicate against the red and white, a healthy team. In this case we could see a very balanced match with little prolific play.
Montpellier-Nantes is a match between disappointments
Montpellier and Nantes are two teams who started out with different ambitions, but are now in the salvation zone. The hosts are expected to react after the drubbing against Nice: at least one goal on each side is to be expected in a clash in which Nantes should bring home at least a point.
After two victories in a row, the unleashed Clermont are favourites at home against bottom-of-the-table Angers, who were beaten 2-0 this week by Psg. Even Toulouse, in a good moment, will in all likelihood get the better of Brest in another far from exciting match.
Ligue 1: possible winners
- Lille (in Lille-Troyes, 1pm)
- Clermont (in Angers-Clermont, 3pm)
- Nantes or draw (in Montpellier-Nantes, 3pm)
- Toulouse (in Toulouse-Brest, 3pm)
The match with at least one goal per team
- Montpellier-Nantes, 3pm
Ligue 1: the match with at least three goals in total
- Lille-Troyes, 1pm
Matches with less than three goals in total
- Angers-Clermont, 3pm
- Reims-Nice, 15:00
