Lyon travel to their rivals Monaco to close out week 7. In between there’s a big game between Marseille and Lille on Saturday. Lorient, fresh from beating Lyon 3-1 in midweek, welcome Nantes to Le Moustoir. It’s an all Sunday choice of games for week 7.
Strasbourg v Clermont
Sun 11th 12:00
Strasbourg will still be without up to 7 players for the visit of Clermont in the early game on Sunday. They now have to add Sanjin Prcic to the list of those out after a red card in last week’s draw at Brest. Even with 10 for two thirds of the game the Alsace side were marginally the better team. After finishing 6th, the season hasn’t started well with 4 draws and no wins after the opening 6 weeks.
Clermont have made a surprisingly good start to the season with 3 wins and 3 losses on the board after last week’s win at home to Toulouse. Pascal Gastien has done wonders to gel a team of mostly backups and Ligue 2 players so early in the season. They rode their luck against Les Violets (the 2nd goal came from Toulouse pushing everyone up). I don’t think this is the game Strasbourg get their first win of the season. Also, I don’t see them losing either. They are still an excellent side in attack (even though it hasn’t clicked yet this term).
Draw @ 29/10
Angers v Montpellier
Sun 11th 14:00
Another game where one side is missing a lot of players. Unlike Strasbourg above, Montpellier are missing definite starters. They are without both first and second choices at left back and left wing. Add in missing first choice goalkeeper and centre back, how Olivier Dall’Oglio sets his team up will be a mystery until kick-off. Angers are a tip of mine to be relegated so it may seem folly to be backing them to win here. But every dog has it’s day and if Angers can’t muster a victory here their season may well be already over. Sure, Montpellier always have a goal in them (and have Téji Savanier back) but with Sofiane Boufal leading the line, Le Sco should have enough to secure their first three points of the season.
Angers win @ 6/4
Rennes v Auxerre
Sun 11th 16:05
Rennes poor start to the season continued with a draw at Troyes. Considering they played 72 minutes against 10 men, it was actually a disastrous result. They took 20 shots on goal and had 72% possession but not for the first time this season couldn’t convert their chances. Whilst the players have to shoulder some of the blame, last seasons mastermind Bruno Génésio is becoming Ligue 1’s own ‘Tinkerman’. System and personnel changes are not the norm whereas last season Les Rennais nearly had the same system and team out each week.
Auxerre have started the season pretty well and will be happy with their 7 points. There are signs though that they will focus on beating teams of a similar level as they have been completely dominated by Lille, Lyon and Marseille already. All 7 points have come against Angers, Montpellier and an injury ravaged Strasbourg. Rennes will click soon in attack and this could well be the game. Even if the home side score 6 (like they did on 4 occasions last season), the defence is going to take a bit longer to settle. The combination of Arthur Theate and Joe Rodon is still a work in progress.
Rennes to win & both teams to score @ 2/1
Smart Bets
Strasbourg v Clermont: Draw @ 29/10 (2pt win)
Angers v Montpellier: Angers win @ 6/4 (1pt win)
Rennes v Auxerre: Rennes to win & both teams to score @ 2/1 (1pt win)
Above in a treble (best priced): 27/1 (1pt win)
