Ligue 1 Preview Gameweek 5

There are a number of intriguing matches in the French top flight this weekend with potential European spot clashes and relegation-threatened teams meeting in the fifth round of Ligue 1 fixtures.

Paris Saint-Germain v Bordeaux
Date 11/09/2015 – Venue – Parc des Princes – Kick Off 19:30 (UK Time)

PSG will be looking to maintain their 100% record when they host Bordeaux on Friday evening but Bordeaux’s recent form suggests this match will be anything but easy for Les Parisians. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a doubt for the home side with a reported abdominal injury, despite playing and scoring in Sweden’s loss to Austria on Tuesday night. Javier Pastore may also be missing from this match after his injury has kept him out for over two weeks, but he isn’t far from recovery.

Bordeaux manager Willy Sagnol will be encouraged that his team selection can include Wahbi Khazri and Enzo Crivelli who are fully fit again after being substituted in the previous game against Nantes. Les Girondins will be without Cedric Yambere and Clement Chantome as they’ve accumulated too many yellow cards, and Thomas Toure may not feature due to a thigh injury. Bordeaux are unbeaten in three games after tightening their defence, and will need to be on guard when they visit the champions this weekend.

Lyon v Lille
Date 12/09/2015 – Venue – Stade de Gerland – Kick Off 16:00 (UK Time)

One of the more interesting clashes of the weekend is Lyon hosting Lille, which is a more appealing tie now both teams have recovered their form. Lyon would be going into this match full of confidence following their 4-0 thrashing of Caen but they have suffered a huge injury blow which will really affect their campaign. Nabil Fekir suffered a cruciate ligament injury while carrying out his international duties with France and he could be out for six months. After scoring a hat-trick Lyon’s last game it looked like it was going to be another excellent season for Fekir, but this news is very disappointing for him and Les Gones. If things weren’t bad enough for Lyon, Alexandre Lacazette may also be a doubt with a back injury.

Lille are finally back on track after three games without a win, but the victory over Gazélec Ajaccio will give them the confidence to get something out of the game at the Stade de Gerland. Lille’s defence has been resilient so far this season; only conceding one goal and they will be encouraged to see Lyon could be without their two best players. Les Dogues have struggled to score goals though, something they will need to improve on for the tough match on Saturday. They will be without Sofiane Boufal who is suspended for this game; the player who has scored the team’s only goal of the season.

Lorient v Angers
Date 12/09/2015 – Venue – Stade du Moustoir – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

Lorient continue to struggle and have fallen into the bottom three after defeats to Saint-Étienne and Reims. They heavy 4-1 loss in the last game will leave them feeling a bit despondent but they know this is the game to revitalise the team as they face one of the league’s newly promoted sides. Sylvain Ripoll has no new concerns over his side and can choose a similar starting eleven to the previous game.

The visitors are going to be a very tough test for Lorient, as Angers are just one of two teams yet to lose a game this season; the other being champions PSG. They have been one of the surprise teams so far in this Ligue 1 campaign and will see a dejected Lorient as a great opportunity to continue their impressive run. Les Scoistes conceded their first goal of the season in the last game at home to Nice and they have constructed a solid team which has also been able to score goals. Angers have no injuries or suspensions from the team that started the last game so it wouldn’t be surprising if Stephane Moulin named an unchanged side.

Montpellier v Saint-Étienne
Date 12/09/2015 – Venue – Stade de la Mosson – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

Montpellier can’t buy a win at the moment and have found themselves on the end of three defeats in the first four matches. This game won’t be any easier as Saint-Étienne visit the Stade de la Mosson; a team that is starting to pick up the results expected of them. Montpellier may be without Jonas Martin with a calf injury, but Souleymane Camara and Geoffrey Jourdren are definite absentees.

Unbeaten in three, Saint-Étienne travel to Montpellier in an attempt to take advantage of a struggling side and make it three consecutive wins. Les Verts will be without Kevin Theophile-Catherine who is out for up to three months with a metatarsal fracture. The visitors could also be without Jean-Christophe Bahebeck who has had an illness over the international break.

Nice v Guingamp
Date 12/09/2015 – Venue – Allianz Riviera – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

Nice host Guingamp in what is another of the weekend’s better games. They are two very inconsistent and unpredictable sides and this match has no clear winner. Despite the opening loss to Monaco, Nice have had a decent start to the season and are unbeaten in three following draws against Troyes and Angers and a home win versus Caen. Les Aiglons will be without the suspended Olivier Boscagli and the injured Maxime Le Marchand, who is recovering from a calf injury.

Guingamp had a horrific beginning to the season; losing their opening three games without scoring a goal. The shock 2-0 victory at home to Marseille however has put them in contention for a win on Saturday. With no injury or suspension concerns over the side that started the previous game, Jocelyn Gourvennec can name the same eleven and hope for another win to kick-start their season.