Ligue 1 Matchday 3 Preview and Predictions: The Champions Return | OneFootball

Ligue 1’s Matchday 3 kicks with all 20 teams in action across the weekend for the first time in the 2019/20 Season. Here’s what you should look forward to from the 10 matches…

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

FC Girondins de Bordeaux vs Olympique Lyonnais

Early runners-up Bordeaux face 8th-placed Lyon, who play again on Sunday.

Last Results:

Bordeaux came away with a 0-2 away win against Angers, as two goals in two minutes from Josh Maja and Toma Bašić were enough to seal the three points.

Lyon‘s season opener against Dijon didn’t start too well as they conceded early on, but a Memphis Depay hat-trick and Wesley Lautoa own goal meant that Les Gones eased to a 4-1 victory.

Head-to-Head:

Lyon have a 23-13 head-to-head advantage, with 21 other matches ending without a winner. The last time, it was the visitors who triumphed 1-2.

What This Could Mean:

Bordeaux could go to the top of the table by simply winning and hoping that Nice don’t do so too, but realistically, their hope will be to hold on to the Champions League spots.

Lyon‘s strong goal difference means that a win coupled with a good number of favourable results could see them reach the top of the table. Since they have played one fewer game, however, they should settle for a top-five spot.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Bordeaux: Pablo

Lyon: N/A

Player to Watch:

Memphis Depay – The Dutch international is the subject of various transfer rumours, most notably ones linking him to Spanish giants FC Barcelona. He hasn’t exactly shut them down, so this may well be one of his last games in a Lyon shirt. He will undoubtedly look to add to his tally of 48 Ligue 1 goals that he has scored for Les Gones.

Prediction: 1-2

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Montpellier HSC vs OGC Nice

15th-placed Montpellier host league-leaders Nice for Saturday’s early kick-off.

Last Results:

Montpellier were defeated 2-1 by Rennes, as Gaëtan Laborde’s last minute strike was worth nothing but consolation.

Nice came away from Strasbourg with a 0-2 victory thanks to Kasper Dolberg’s brace, which were their only two shots on goal.

Head-to-Head:

Montpellier boast of a 17-10 lead in the two clubs’ direct meetings, while nine others ended in a draw. La Paillade won the last match as well – 2-1 at home.

What This Could Mean:

Montpellier have only played one game so far, so their best position after this match is only 10th. Practically, a little more distance from the relegation zone would be a good result for them.

Nice are at the summit of the table, so they would want to stay there. A win would obviously guarantee that.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Montpellier: Florent Mollet

Nice: N/A

Player to Watch:

Amine Gouiri – Nice’s new signing was impressive against Strasbourg following his match-winning brace against Lens. The 20 year-old currently has a 100% shot conversion rate in the Ligue 1 season, and he’d like to maintain that by scoring yet more goals.

Prediction: 0-1

AS Saint-Étienne vs RC Strasbourg Alsace

Later that day, 9th-placed Saint-Étienne take on Strasbourg, who are in the relegation zone and second-bottom right now.

Last Results:

Saint-Étienne eased to a 2-0 win against Lorient in their first game of the season thanks to a Romain Hamouma brace.

Strasbourg were shutout by Nice last time around, and they had to resign to a 0-2 home defeat.

Head-to-Head:

Strasbourg have a 9-7 advantage in this regard, while the number of Saint-Étienne wins is equal to the number of draws. The last fixture featuring these two teams was held in December, and it saw Les Coureurs win 2-1.

What This Could Mean:

Saint-Étienne can mathematically go on to top the table at the end of the matchday, but realistically they’ll settle for a European spot.

Strasbourg can only go as high as 9th with a win, but anywhere above their current spot will be considered a positive outcome.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Saint-Étienne: Loïs Diony

Strasbourg: Matz Sels, Idriss Saadi

Player to Watch:

Romain Hamouma – In only 72 minutes on the pitch against Lorient, Romain Hamouma grabbed the headlines by scoring two goals. The 33 year-old has never scored more than 9 goals in a Ligue 1 campaign, but he has a great chance of breaking that record this time around.

Prediction: 0-2

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Lille OSC vs FC Metz

Champions League contenders 5th-placed Lille battle against 16th-placed Metz in Sunday’s first match.

Last Results:

Lille travelled to Reims during the last matchday, and they came away with a 0-1 victory thanks to Jonathan Bamba’s goal.

Metz were on the wrong side of a match that ended 0-1, as Monaco managed to beat them thanks to the only goal of the match.

Head-to-Head:

Lille have a massive 14-4 head-to-head lead, and eight matches were drawn. That includes the last match, which ended without any goals in November.

What This Could Mean:

Lille can take the top spot in Ligue 1 with a win, but a podium-spot should be a realistic target.

Metz are languishing precariously close to the drop-zone, and they can run away as high as 10th, but that’s only a mathematical possibility.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Lille: N/A

Metz: Manuel Cabit, Kévin N’Doram

Player to Watch:

Benjamin André – While Jonathan Bamba has been grabbing all the goal-scoring headlines, Benjamin André has quietly gone about doing a stellar job in midfield. So far, he has won 4.5 aerial duels and 4 tackles while making 1 key pass per match on average. He will certainly be keen to keep those numbers up.

Prediction: 2-0

Angers SCO vs Stade de Reims

13th-placed Angers host Reims, who are just one spot below them on Sunday afternoon.

Last Results:

Angers slumped to a 0-2 defeat against Bordeaux, as they were kept out by a resolute defence.

Reims too lost without scoring, but they conceded only once as they hosted Lille.

Head-to-Head:

Reims have a slender 7-6 lead in direct clashes, while seven other matches have ended without a winner. That was not the case last time around though, as Reims comprehensively won 1-4.

What This Could Mean:

Angers have three points right now, so they too can potentially go to the top of the table if a lot of results go their way, but a top-eight spot should be considered realistic.

Reims‘ best-case scenario sees them go up to 7th spot, but even a top half entry should be quite satisfying.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Angers: N/A

Reims: N/A

Player to Watch:

Baptiste Santamaria – While haven’t scored too many goals, they haven’t conceded too many either. One man who has been key to the defensive effort is holding midfielder Baptiste Santamaria, who has averaged 3.5 interceptions, 3 tackles and as many clearances per match. He’ll hope to keep operating at that level and shut Reims out.

Prediction: 1-1

Dijon FCO vs Stade Brestois 29

18th-placed Dijon and bottom-club Brest are involved in what could prove to be an early relegation six-pointer in one of the many simultaneous matches.

Last Results:

Dijon started off brilliantly against Lyon as Aurélien Scheidler scored early on, it all quickly went downhill as they ended up losing 4-1 in the end.

Brest, on the other hand, gave Marseille a greater run for their money. After going two goals down, they pulled one back just before half time thanks to Romain Faivre. However, they conceded in the second half too, so Gaëtan Charbonnier’s late strike was mere consolation.

Head-to-Head:

Dijon go into the match with a 14-8 lead over Brest in 32 meetings – 10 of which ended in a draw. Les Hiboux stretched their lead last time around, when they came away 3-0 winners.

What This Could Mean:

Dijon haven’t scored any points so far, so their best-case scenario only sees them go up to 10th. Realistically though, they’ll be quite glad to get out of the bottom-three.

Brest are in a similar situation as their opponents, so they too cannot mathematically go higher than 10th spot.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Dijon: N/A

Brest: Dénys Bain

Player to Watch:

Romain Faivre – Brest’s attacking midfielder has started both games so far, and has a goal to show from them. To add to that, he has averaged 3.5 shots, 3 dribbles, 2 key passes and as many tackles plus interceptions per game, so he’ll look to continue his impressive performances.

Prediction: 2-3

FC Lorient vs RC Lens

Another similar potential relegation battle sees 11th-placed Lorient host 12th-placed Lens at the same time.

Last Results:

Lorient travelled to Saint-Étienne during matchday 2, but they came away rather disappointed as they were comprehensively beaten 2-0.

Lens faced the mighty PSG last time around, and they came away with a brilliant 1-0 win as Ignatius Ganago scored the only goal of the match.

Head-to-Head:

Lorient carry a comprehensive 10-3 head-to-head advantage into this match, while nine clashes have ended without a winner. It was the visitors who won last time in Ligue 2 though, courtesy of the only goal of the match.

What This Could Mean:

Lorient, like the other teams who have three points, could mathermatically go as high as first place, but they know that realistically a top-six entry would be nice.

Lens are in a similar situation, so a top-six entry should be ideal for them.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Lorient: N/A

Lens: Charles Boli, Cheick Traoré

Player to Watch:

Ignatius Ganago – The Cameroonian forward scored Lens’ winner against PSG, and looked strong throughout the match as he had 2/3 shots on target, completed 2 dribbles and won as many free-kicks. Now, he’ll look to replicate that display against a team which his side are more likely to face at the bottom-end of the table.

Prediction: 0-1

Nîmes Olympique vs Stade Rennais FC

Nîmes, who are currently occupying 7th spot in the table face 4th-placed Rennes, who will be among the teams battling for a European spot.

Last Results:

Nîmes didn’t start very well in the last match as they found themselves two goals down, but they did pull one back thanks to Zinedine Ferhat. However, their push for a winner didn’t materialise, and they lost 2-1.

Rennes‘ match also ended with the same scoreline, but on this occasion, it was in their favour. An Anthony Le Tallec own goal gave them the lead, before wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga scored with a brilliant solo effort in the second half. Their opponents, Montpellier did pull one back late on, but Les Rouge et Noir still won.

Head-to-Head:

Rennes boast of a 4-2 lead in the six matches that these two sides have played, of which there has never been an equal scoreline. Rennes extended their lead last time around with a 2-1 win, complete with a last–minute winner.

What This Could Mean:

Nîmes were the league-leaders after matchday 1, but their loss last time around means that they have slipped down now. Mathematically, they can still regain top spot, but that’s not a serious probability.

Rennes have a much better chance of going to the summit of the Ligue 1 table – they need to win by a comprehensive margin and hope that Nice drop points to do so.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Nîmes: Clément Depres

Rennes: James Léa Siliki, Sacha Boey, Martin Terrier

Player to Watch:

Eduardo Camavinga – Don’t take your eyes of him, because Eduardo Camavinga looks like he is the next big thing. A proper mix of talent, hard-work and determination has seen him rise to the top of French football at only 17 years of age, and he already has made a name for himself earning a French debut after getting a goal and assist in two Ligue 1 games. There is a lot more in store.

Prediction: 1-3

AS Monaco vs FC Nantes

Later that evening, 6th-placed Nantes travel to the Principality to meet 3rd-placed Monaco.

Last Results:

Monaco carved out a 0-1 victory away at Metz two weekends ago, as Benoît Badiashile’s goal meant that Niko Kovač got his first win at the helm of the principality outfit.

Nantes won by a goal as well. Andrei Girotto’s early goal and Imran Louza’s penalty were enough to see Nîmes off with a 2-1 victory.

Head-to-Head:

Monaco have a thorough 26-10 lead in the direct clashes, while 10 other matches ended with the spoils shared. These two sides last met almost a year ago in October, when Monaco took the three points thanks to the only goal of the match.

What This Could Mean:

Monaco, like the other teams on four points, could go to the top spot if they win with a strong scoreline and Nice fail to pick up three points in their match.

Nantes, who are also on four points, have the exact same possibility, and an equal goal difference gives them a good chance too.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Monaco: Aleksandr Golovin, Youssouf Fofana

Nantes: Anthony Limbombe

Player to Watch:

Benoît Badiashile – Each of Monaco’s three goals this season have come courtesy of their centre-backs, and Benoît Badiashile has been the culprit twice – once in each match. Nantes will have to be very wary of him in set-piece situations, and will also face a tough time against the Frenchman when on the attack.

Prediction: 2-1

Paris Saint-Germain vs Olympique de Marseille

The final match of the weekend sees defending champions PSG, who are 17th spot in the table take on 10th-placed Marseille in Le Classique, this time with a Coronavirus twist as both sides have seen outbreaks among their squads.

Last Results:

PSG will be keen to bounce back from their shock 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Lens. Although they were missing their star forwards, they did have a lot of quality on the pitch, so it was certainly a surprising result.

Marseille won their season opener against Brest with a Coronavirus-hit squad, as Florian Thauvan got a goal and two assists for Duje Ćaleta-Car’s match-winning brace.

Head-to-Head:

PSG have been much stronger historically in this famed battle, taking a 28-15 advantage into the match. They won the last match in style too – 4-0 back in October of 2019.

What This Could Mean:

PSG cannot go higher than 10th spot with a win, but even that requires a lot of results to go their way. They should settle for something around 13th place, which can be considered more realistic.

Marseille can mathematically seal the top spot, but the fact that they have played one less game than most others means that a top-five entrance would be ideal for them.

Injuries and Suspensions:

PSG: Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, Mauro Icardi, Marquinhos, Ángel Di María, Leandro Paredes, Keylor Navas

Marseille: Steve Mandanda, Simon Brady Ngapandouetnbu

Player to Watch:

Florian Thauvin – The 27 year-old celebrated his return from injury, which had sidelined him since September, by scoring a goal and bagging two assists against Brest. The latter came from two wide free-kicks, so PSG will have to wary of giving away any unnecessary fouls, while also trying to keep Thauvin in check.

Prediction: 1-1

Stats courtesy int.soccerway.com transfermarkt.com, and whoscored.com