Ligue 1 Preview Gameweek 4

Rennes v Toulouse
Date 29/08/2015 – Venue – Roazhon Park – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

Toulouse travel to Roazhon Park on the back of an excellent performance against Monaco which earned them a well deserved point and saw them move to 10^th in the table. They will be without Uros Spajic who completes his suspension this weekend after receiving a red card against Caen, but no new injuries or suspensions means Dominique Arribage can name the same starting eleven as last weekend.

Rennes will look to continue their recent form which has seen them rise to 7^th in the table following back-to-back wins against Montpellier and Lyon. They will prove to be tough competition for Toulouse on Saturday and with the fans behind them, Rennes are well equipped for another win.

Troyes v Montpellier
Date 29/08/2015 – Venue – Stade de l’Aube – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

This match is an early bottom of the table clash between Troyes, who had a respectable start to life back in Ligue 1 before their 6-0 defeat to Marseille, and Montpellier who haven’t got off the mark in the league yet. The hosts will be hoping to quickly get over the humiliation suffered at the Stade Vélodrome last week with a win against 19^th place Montpellier. Mory Kone is doubtful for Troyes with a knee injury he picked up against Marseille and Yoann Court is subject to a late fitness test after he left the field early in the previous game.

Montpellier won’t threaten Troyes as much as Marseille did as they have failed to score in their first three games, but this is no reason for Troyes to get complacent as this is a game they must win. There is no new injury news for Montpellier meaning they can select the same team, but with no goals scored and three defeats on their hands Rolland Courbis needs to change something to get their first point on the board.

Saint-Étienne v Bastia
Date 30/08/2015 – Venue – Stade Geoffroy-Guichard – Kick Off 13:00 (UK Time)

High-flying Bastia travel to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in an attempt to keep their unbeaten start to the season going. They have looked very impressive in their opening few games with the strong performances being against Rennes and Guingamp. Les Bleus will be hoping PSG slip up at Monaco to give them a chance of being top of the table heading into the international break. Brandao serves the last game of his suspension this weekend but there were no injuries from the game against Guingamp so the starting eleven from that match is available.

Saint-Étienne are in desperate need of a consistent run of results as they have begun this Ligue 1 campaign with a loss to Toulouse, a draw with Bordeaux and a win versus Lorient. They are currently mid-table and will hope the win last weekend will give them a boost to push on this season. Jean-Christophe Bahebeck has recently been confirmed as injured with a thigh injury, but Les Verts are able to name their strongest side nonetheless.

Bordeaux v Nantes
Date 30/08/2015 – Venue – Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux – Kick Off 16:00 (UK Time)

Bordeaux enter the fourth round of fixtures still without a win after a loss to Reims and draws with Saint-Étienne and Lille. They have struggled at home so far this season and will look to change this when Nantes visit the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on Sunday. Diego Contento and Cheick Diabate were added to Bordeaux’s long injury list last week but there are no forced changes from the side that faced Lille last weekend.

Nantes have had a very different start to the season and are currently 4^th after two wins and a draw; yet to concede a goal and scoring two in the process. They ended Reims’ winning streak last weekend so it will be a very difficult game for Bordeaux, who will have to be clinical in front of goal when they get their chances against a strong Nantes defence. The visitors have no new injury news so will be able to field their strongest side for the trip down to Bordeaux.

Monaco v Paris Saint-Germain
Date 30/08/2015 – Venue – Stade Louis II – Kick Off 20:00 (UK Time)

The match of the weekend is between two potential title contenders as champions PSG travel to the south coast to face Monaco. PSG have begun the season as expected, becoming the only team to maintain a 100% record by winning all three games. They haven’t conceded a goal this season so Monaco will have it all to do at the Stade Louis II. Monaco will be hopeful over the fact that PSG could be without several key players; Javier Pastore, Marco Verratti, Gregory Van Der Wiel and Zlatan Ibrahimovic may still be sidelined with injuries.

Monaco are without some of their key players too however, as Helder Costa and Joao Moutinho are still injured. With integral players missing for both sides this match may not be as enthralling as it would’ve been, but the teams will be determined to earn a result that may be significant come the end of the season. Monaco are also unbeaten this season but dropping points against Lille and Toulouse means they are four points behind PSG and need a win to get them back on track with the leaders.