Ligue 1 Predictions, Round 14
GFFN editor-in-chief Luke Entwistle and GFFN’s Raphaël Jucobin face off in our Ligue 1 predictions competition. It’s three points for a correct score, two points for a correct score difference, and one point for a correct result. Who will come out on top at the end of the season?
SCORES
Raphaël: 77
Luke: 78
Game of the week: AJ Auxerre v Paris Saint-Germain, Friday 20:00 (UK)
It always feels very cyclical at PSG. It is often around this time of year thatLes Parisienssuffer a dip in form and so it is proving again. Their shortcomings in Europe have been well documented but they are now looking less convincing in the league too. Toulouse could have taken something from the Parc des Princes a week earlier and the 3-0 scoreline certainly wasn’t a fair reflection of how close the encounter was. Despite dominating against Nantes, they then failed to get over the line. There is a big problem in this side and it is that there is no clear and obvious goalscorer. Bradley Barcola has exceeded expectations in terms of his goal-scoring output so far this season but he cannot be expected to carry the burden long-term. Gonçalo Ramos returned from a long-term injury against Nantes, and whilst he could change PSG’s fortunes, he will need to work his way back to full fitness. And worryingly, there is an increasing fragility at the back. Willian Pacho has been excellent since arriving but he had his worst game for PSG against Nantes. He looked exhausted and the ease with which Matthis Abline glided past him for his goal summarised that.
Within this context, a visit to the Stade-Abbé Deschamps is not the place you want to be going. To date, Monaco are still the only side to win there, whilst Auxerre have won their last four at home. It is clear that Auxerre wil be set-up to contain and hit on the counter but it is a strategy that has previously worked against top-level opponents, such as Marseille. Given PSG’s recent form and given thatLes Parisiensmay have one eye on a key Champions League encounter against RB Salzburg next week, Auxerre may smell the scent of opportunity.
Raphaël’s full predictions
Lille 2-1 Brest
Auxerre 0-3 PSG
Monaco 2-2 Toulouse
Nice 2-1 Le Havre
Angers 1-1 Lyon
Lens 2-2 Montpellier
Nantes 1-3 Rennes
Strasbourg 2-1 Reims
Saint-Étienne 2-2 Marseille
Luke full predictions
Lille 2-1 Brest
Auxerre 2-1 PSG
Nice 1-0 Le Havre
Monaco 1-1 Toulouse
Angers 0-2 Lyon
Lens 2-0 Montpellier
Nantes 1-3 Rennes
Strasbourg 2-2 Reims
Saint-Étienne 1-3 Marseille
GFFN | Luke Entwistle