Ligue 1 Weekend Preview: Matches to Watch

You can't argue with me about French football.

By popular demand, I present the first of this season’s Ligue 1 match previews.

Below you will find information on the most intriguing match-ups of the coming weekend. Will they always go exactly as I predict? Probably not, but at least that gives you the opportunity to hurl verbal abuse in my direction.

I won’t be making any predictions about scores (alright, I might), but instead will be focusing on why you should watch any particular match. Follow my advice and you will come to love French football.

Honestly, I’ll just settle for a greater appreciation and fewer “surrender” jokes.

Saturday, August 6th:
All matches on Saturday are at 21:00 (15:00 EST), so you’ll have to choose from one of the following:

Ajaccio v. Toulouse – I made the bold prediction that Ajaccio have the best chance of the promoted sides to stay up, but in order to do so they will have to protect their home pitch against sides projected to finish midtable or worse. With Toulouse looking to towards European football next season, a win here for Ajaccio would be a huge start to their campaign. It was wins in matches of this caliber last season that allowed Brest enough of a headstart to remain up, and The Bear will be introducing Mexican netminder Guillermo Ochoa in an effort to keep Emmanuel Riviere at bay. Prediction: Toulouse look anemic on offense, with Franck Tabanou and Daniel Braaten not yet able to integrate Riviere in the offense, and the match ends in a 1-1 draw.

Brest v. Evian – This match might feature perennial Ligue 2 sides moving in opposite directions, as Brest look set to continue their slide back into the lower league while Evian have the chops (and talent) to stay up. Brest were formidable at home (Stade Francis Le-Ble), losing only to Caen (eh?), Bordeaux, Lille and Toulouse. With the exception of a visit from Lyon, their early home schedule is fairly forgiving, but they face an immediate “statement” match against Evian here. Can Brest re-establish themselves as the minnow to be beat, or will they let themselves be pushed around in front of their home support? This match should hinge on which attacking threat gets off to a better start for their season – will it be want-away Nolan Roux, who dazzled early and then faded last season for Brest, or will it be Sidney Govou, returning from self-imposed exile in Greece after an inability to play nice for Panathinaikos (he was disciplined on two separate occasions by the club)? Prediction: Govou terrorizes poor Paul Baysse, putting a brace past the Brest defense in a statement to Ligue 1 that he still has what it takes, and the match ends 2-0.

Nice v. Lyon – With Nice barely avoiding relegation last season and Lyon making a push to regain the title, this match represents the first opportunity for Les Gones to demonstrate how seriously they should be taken this time around. Despite very little movement in the transfer window, Lyon should overpower an incredibly weak midfield and defense, running roughshod over the aging Camel Meriem and the brutal Renato Civelli. If this match gets out of hand (and it should), look for the offensive stylings of Les Bleuets superstar Alexandre Lacazette. Prediction: With a 3-1 victory on the road, albeit over a struggling side, Lyon send a message that their title threat is serious.

Paris Saint-Germain v. Lorient – PSG begin their title push at home, with Kevin Gameiro facing off against his former side. Likely to be paired up top with Guillaume Hoarau, the striker will be anxious to show the home supporters that he has adjusted quickly. The biggest question for the club from the capital remains how they will effectively integrate all of their new signings, particularly within a crowded midfield. Gaffer Antoine Kombuoare used a number of different formations/players over the preseason, so we’re still a little uncertain as to which lineup we will see. For their part, Lorient are set to struggle this season, so this is exactly the type of match with which they didn’t want to open. Prediction: An “eff you” brace from Gameiro and a goal from Blaise Matuidi give PSG the 3-0 victory, as Lorient fail to trouble new PSG netminder Nicolas Douchez.

Sunday, August 7th:
17:00 (11:00 EST)

Dijon v. Rennes – This is another match featuring a potential Top-4 side on the road against a club projected to be in severe danger of relegation. Thus, it is up to Rennes to come out and dominate in order to signal their intent to the rest of Ligue 1. This match is worth watching just for Jonathan Pitriopa, as the attacking midfielder has pace and power, both of which should see him destroy a Dijon defense unable to be marshaled by Abdoulaye Meite. Prediction: Dijon take the first of many home defeats, with striker Gregory Thil looking overmatched in Ligue 1, and the match ends 2-0 in favor of Rennes.