Ligue 1 actions returns along with Dermot and his 21/2 treble
Ligue 1 returns from the International Break with a bang as PSG host Monaco on Friday night. The Parisians’ home form is formidable but Monaco can join the reigning champions on 27 points with a win. Surprise packing Nice could go top should PSG fail to win, and they have a very winnable game against Toulouse on Saturday. Bottom-placed Lyon host Lille on Monday night, and despite their shockingly poor form, Irish fans might hope to see more from Jake O’Brien, who scored the winner for OL last time out.
Nantes v Le Havre Prediction
Sun 26 Nov 14:00
Nantes have lost their last 3 in a row after a hot spell that saw them win 4 in 5 games. Le Havre have reverted to last season’s Ligue 2 style in which they only conceded 19 goals in 38 league games. I think this game will break the mold for Le Havre though. They have been relatively attacking in those games they just haven’t managed to score. The angle here is that only PSG, Monaco and Rennes have scored more often at home than Nantes. Le Club Doyen will likely have to come out of a defensive system at some stage in this game. This should give veteran playmaker Florent Mollet plenty of space to find Mohamed Mostafa and Moses Simon.
Over 2.5 goals @ 23/20
Rennes v Reims Prediction
Sun 26 Nov 16:05
Situational bets are a rarity in football. Personally, I follow the NFL and there is nearly a weekly game where the situation is not taken into account. The prices and lines for a game are nearly solely on metrics but there is always a spot to take back a team you might not necessarily do so otherwise. In terms of Ligue, Rennes Vs Reims is one of those. Bruno Genesio’s tenure at Rennes is over and former head coach Julien Stéphan returns. Football tends to call this situation “The New Manager Bounce”. You tend to only get the first game or two before things settle down.
The sale of Jeremy Doku (and the subsequent lack of effort to replace him) was probably the final nail in the coffin for Genesio. His style depends on speed – speed of body and mind. The current squad lacks a little of that speed of body. Stéphan has done well at Strasbourg in his break from Rennes, with a 4th placed finish in 2021/22. His style should be suited to what’s available at the Roazhan as he tends to build through the midfield rather than quick transitions.
Reims have had a great season but their form against the better sides in Ligue this season is poor (W0 D1 L3). Whilst Rennes form isn’t that of one of the top sides, the talent in the squad is. I’d be happy enough to take the even money on offer for a home win.
Rennes to win at EVS
Lyon v Lille Prediction
Sun 26 Nov 19:45
Amazingly game week 12’s win over Rennes was Lyon’s first Ligue 1 win of the season. The victory saw the end of ex-head coach Bruno Genesio’s time at Rennes. It also likely saved current head coach Fabio Grosso from needing a new job. Football is a results based business and that victory doesn’t gloss over the fact that OL struggled to beat a side playing with 10 men for 85 minutes. The Italian was saved in 67th minute when a deflected cross from 18yr old Sael Kumbedi found Irishman Jake O’Brien who scored with a lumbering diving header.
This week Lille visit Groupama. Of all the Ligue 1 sides you would not want to play when playing bad football, apart from PSG, Paulo Fonseca’s side top that list. It’s impossible to gauge but in a 5-a-side between all the Ligue 1 midfields, I think Lille’s would win. They have dominated almost every team so far this season with mistakes in front of both goals the difference between where they are and where Nice are. Jonathan David has only 2 goals so far this season but this game followed by Metz and Clermont could be the spark his season needs.
Jonathan David to score anytime @ 15/8
Ligue 1 Smart Bets
Nantes Vs Le Havre – Over 2.5 goals @ 23/20
Rennes to win at EVS
Jonathan David to score anytime @ 15/8
Above in a treble (best priced): 21/2
