Ligue 1 Preview Gameweek 9

Troyes v Guingamp
Date 03/10/2015 – Venue – Stade de l’Aube – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

Home side Troyes have dropped to 19^th in the league and are still without a win this season. They are going to have to perform well in this match to keep out Guingamp who showed great character and bouncebackability to come from behind three times in the previous game against Monaco. Troyes earned a great result at Rennes last weekend and with no forced changes to the team they could put out an unchanged side for this match on Saturday.

Guingamp have performed well over the last few games and despite a setback against PSG they have achieved excellent results against some of the league’s top sides. In 13^th place, they will look at this match as a great opportunity to get back into the top half of the table against a struggling Troyes side. There is no relevant team news for the visitors so Jocelyn Gourvennec may stick with the same side that demonstrated real spirit against Monaco.

Monaco v Rennes
Date 04/10/2015 – Venue – Stade Louis II – Kick Off 13:00 (UK Time)

Hosts Monaco will be looking to bounce back after conceding a late equaliser against Guingamp meaning they had to share the points last weekend. They head into this game against Rennes knowing a win could take them into the European spots. Rennes will have a much longer rest than Monaco however as the hosts have a Europa League game to play against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday. Almamy Toure faces a fitness test but Monaco still have some big names likely to miss out such as Fabio Coentrao, Fares Bahlouli, Jeremy Toulalan and Joao Moutinho.

Although Rennes have dropped points against three of the bottom five teams in their last three matches, they are in a good position of 3^rd after being unbeaten since the opening game of the season. A win at the Stade Louis II would take them six points above Monaco and they would be able to put more pressure on leaders PSG who play later on Sunday. The visitors are missing some key players though with the suspended Yacouba Sylla and Edson Mexer who is out with a patellar tendon injury; both of whom haven’t missed a league game until now.

Caen v Saint-Étienne
Date 04/10/2015 – Venue – Stade Michel d’Ornano – Kick Off 16:00 (UK Time)

Caen host Saint-Étienne on Sunday in a game where either side could be victorious given recent form. The visitors had their five-match winning streak ended by Nice last weekend so they will look to recover their form at the Stade Michel d’Ornano. Before this game however they have a tough trip in the Europa League on Thursday against Lazio, so it will be interesting to see how this will affect Les Verts. Christophe Galtier will be hoping his side avoid injuries on Thursday so he can have more players available for the game on Sunday.

The hosts have moved up to 6^th following their win over Gazélec and they remain the only team in Ligue 1 yet to draw a game this season. Caen may take a draw as a positive result from this game as Saint-Étienne have the potential to wound a team. Jonathan Delaplace is still sidelined and Jordan N’Kololo may miss this match with a dental problem.

Lorient v Bordeaux
Date 04/10/2015 – Venue – Stade du Moustoir – Kick Off 16:00 (UK Time)

Both sides enter this match with different attitudes; Lorient will be slightly despondent after losing to struggling Montpellier whereas Bordeaux will be full of confidence after their 3-1 victory over Lyon. The hosts had won three successive matches before the surprise defeat at Montpellier and they will need to try and recover their form in this match after dropping down to 10^th. Rafidine Abdullah is suspended for Les Merlus while Raphael Guerreiro has a hip injury and Benjamin Jeannot could also be sidelined after picking up a knock.

Bordeaux are also involved in European action this week and have to make the trip to Rubin Kazan on Thursday. Travelling to Russia may be a factor should Les Girondins not perform at their best on Sunday as they will have to cover a lot of air miles in such a short space of time. The match at Lorient is one they should be getting a result in but with the inconsistent form of both sides the outcome of this game is difficult to call. Milan Gajic could miss this match after picking up a knock while Frederic Guilbert could also be sidelined for the visitors.

Paris Saint-Germain v Marseille
Date 04/10/2015 – Venue – Parc des Princes – Kick Off 20:00 (UK Time)

The final match of the weekend between PSG and Marseille has the potential to be a fantastic game of football but given Marseille’s lack of consistency this season this could be another dominating performance by Les Parisians. Both sides are involved in European action midweek with Marseille hosting Czech side Slovan Liberec and PSG facing a tough test away at Shakhtar Donetsk. PSG are still unbeaten in the league and have a four-point lead at the top of the table. Gregory Van Der Wiel is a doubt for the hosts but there are no more concerns over the team going into the two PSG games this week.

Marseille are without a win in three and suffered a major setback with the home defeat to Angers in the last game.  Les Olympiens have sunk to 15^th in the league just four points above the relegation zone, meaning they need to start picking up points. Benjamin Mendy may still be suspended for this match but a lack of injuries in the team means Michel has the majority of his players available for their toughest test of the season.