The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsRennes v Troyes
Date 26/09/2015 – Venue – Roazhon Park – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)
Rennes are still unbeaten in six games and are 3rd in the league but after two games without a win they will look to get back to winning ways against Troyes. The draw against Lille wasn’t a bad result for Rennes but they have also become one of only two teams Gazélec have picked up points against, equalising in the latter stages. Gelson Fernandes is pending fitness while the hosts are still without Paul George Ntep, Ludovic Baal and Benoit Costil through injuries.
Troyes are still without a win this season and face a fourth straight loss going into the match at the Roazhon Park. Yoann Court is a doubt for this match after some doubt over his fitness due to him being involved in all seven of Troyes’ games this season. They were unlucky to lose in the previous match against Saint-Étienne but this could be an even tougher test.
Marseille v Angers
Date 27/09/2015 – Venue – Stade Vélodrome – Kick Off 13:00 (UK Time)
Angers are still in a good league position of 6th having only lost one of their games this season and they travel to the Stade Vélodrome to face an inconsistent Marseille team. The hosts were gifted a point by Toulouse in the week so they can count themselves lucky they are not facing Angers on the back of a defeat. Les Olympiens are without Benjamin Mendy for this match after he was sent off in the game at Toulouse. A win could really lift Marseille up the table as they are currently placed in 12th with just eight points.
The visitors have responded well to their defeat against Lorient by picking up four points against Troyes and Reims. With no new injury concerns or suspensions Angers can play their strongest side and aim to take all three points back home. It’s a good time to be playing Marseille but they are a very volatile team, meaning this game could swing in either direction.
Guingamp v Monaco
Date 27/09/2015 – Venue – Stade du Roudourou – Kick Off 16:00 (UK Time)
Guingamp had a good run of three wins before losing at the Parc des Princes in the week and they face another tough game against Monaco on Sunday afternoon. With no new relevant team news the home side can go into this game looking to beat a struggling Monaco side who haven’t hit the ground running yet this season.
The visitors overtook Guingamp following their dramatic win at Montpellier and are just one place above them in 10th. Joao Moutinho has picked up another injury for Monaco so he could miss the game on Sunday; a player with a lot of class and the team hasn’t quite got the flair without him. Monaco will need to improve their first half performance as they cannot afford to keep falling behind and relying on a late comeback to get a result.
Montpellier v Lorient
Date 27/09/2015 – Venue – Stade de la Mosson – Kick Off 16:00 (UK Time)
Lorient are another team who have come into a good run of form lately, winning their last three games to move up to 9th in the league. Victories against Angers, Monaco and Caen have put them right amongst the league’s elite and they face a winless Montpellier; a great chance to continue their winning streak. Les Merlus have no new injuries or suspensions which means they can field the same eleven that featured in the win against Caen.
Similar to Gazélec, Montpellier are struggling to see out games and continue to give late goals away to prevent them getting the desired result. In the previous two games against Caen and Monaco they have lost four points from goals around the 90-minute mark; points which would have seen them close to safety instead of bottom of the league. No new concerns over the team means Montpellier can continue playing in the same way because two stronger performances in the last games is surely a sign of better things to come.
Saint-Étienne v Nice
Date 27/09/2015 – Venue – Stade Geoffroy-Guichard – Kick Off 20:00 (UK Time)
This match has the potential to be one of the games of the weekend with Saint-Étienne on a five-match win streak and Nice heading into this game on the end of a 6-1 annihilation of Bordeaux. The hosts have moved up to 2nd in the league standings and continue to put the pressure on PSG; this game could be another opportunity to maintain their excellent run in front of the home crowd. Les Verts can name the same starting eleven as in the last game with no concerns over the players, giving them the best chance to continue their form.
Nice performed brilliantly against Bordeaux and they will be confident going into this match at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. Les Aiglons don’t seem to be missing Alassane Plea who’s scored two league goals this season as Hatem Ben Arfa has performed well and will look to put in another good shift on Sunday evening. In 8th place and with no concerns over the side that faced Bordeaux the team will be full of spirit when heading to Saint-Étienne.
