Ligue 1 Tips: Goals Galore In This Week 4 Treble

The goals keep on flowing in Ligue 1 and in a generally tough list of fixtures, Dermot expects more this weekend.

PSG put 7 past Lille last weekend which means they average an astonishing 5.6 goal per game after just 3 matches. An inconsistent Monaco are next to try and stop the Paris juggernaut when the sides meet at the Parc des Princes to close out week 4. Outside of that game, Nice Vs. Marseille is the other big clash. Leg 1 of this weeks treble is on Sunday when Brest host Montpellier at Le Blé.

Brest Vs Montpellier – Sun 28th Aug 14:00 GMT

Brest are a point better off than expected after 3 games and will be happy with their overall performances. It took 12 games to get the first win of the season last year. That feat was bettered by 9 games after dispatching a disjointed Angers 3-1 away last weekend. Les Pirates haven’t shaken one early season stat from last season when every game they played resulted in both teams scoring (up until that first win). So far their games have averaged over 3.66 goals per game.

Montpellier’s inconsistency was on show last week against Ligue 1 newcomers Auxerre. They dominated for much of the game but after Fayad’s red card seemed to lose control somewhat. Given they were only a man down for 5 minutes (M’Biaye Niang came on and was sent off 5 minutes into his debut), it doesn’t bode well for the mentality of La Paillade. They will be without talisman Téji Savanier who was also sent off in injury time last week. That said, they have had plenty of practice playing without him last season as he sat out 6 games through suspension. Both teams are better in attack than defence so over 2.5 goals is the call here. Fixtures involving Montpellier have averaged 5 goals per game in three Ligue 1 outings so far this season.

Troyes Vs Angers – Sun 28th Aug 14:00 GMT

At the same time as the first selection plays, 20th will meet 17th in Aube when Troyes take on Angers. ESTAC haven’t been as bad as a 20th placed team when attacking but if Bruno Irles doesn’t sort the defence soon they could turn into this year’s Bordeaux. At the current rate of conceding, they could ship 100 goals before the season ends.

Angers started the season with 2 draws before being beaten by Brest last week. That this team is competive at all will improve Gérard Baticle’s reputation no end. I covered why I think this is in the Ligue 1 Pre-Season Bets column. Whilst all their attacking intent is heavily reliant on Soufiane Boufal, newcomer Amine Salama’s performance last weekend will give Le SCO fans a glimmer of hope. I’d not like to try and call a winner of this game but I haven’t much confidence that either defence will hold out. Both teams to score seems a little overpriced.

Reims Vs Lyon – Sun 28th Aug 16:05 GMT

Reims have busted two tips so far this season. One losing 4-2 after being 2-0 up at halftime to Clermont. And again last week when Balogun’s 82th goal rescued Stade a point at Strasbourg. Whilst they have shipped 9 goals, they are averaging just under 9 shots on goal per game. To me that’s plenty of chances to score on a Peter Bosz teams defence.

OL are 2 from 2 to start their 2022/23 campaign. There’s a good chance they will go 5 from 5 before meeting Monaco in mid September. After another blistering start last week, Lyon gave away a needless penalty against Troyes. You always feel there’s a mistake in their defence in every game. They should win the game relatively easily but I don’t see a first clean sheet of the season just yet. Both teams to score and a win for Les Gones is the call here.