Predictions for Matchday 5 of Ligue 1, September 19-21
Lyon vs Angers
The losing side from the last round, Lyon, will host the solid mid-table Ligue 1 team, Angers. Bookmakers see the "Lions" as clear favorites, but the recent match against Rennes showed that the team has plenty of issues. Previously, Lyon's impenetrable defense crumbled under Rennes' pressure (1:3), although all the opponent's goals were scored when they had a numerical advantage, which is an important factor. Angers remains stable – the team plays very measured and rational football: 3 goals scored and 3 conceded in four rounds, which has earned the club 5 points. The teams have played 8 matches between them, with fewer than three goals scored in six of those, so we suggest betting on a low total in this match.
Match Prediction for Lyon vs Angers: Total Goals Under 2.5
Nantes vs Rennes
In the match between Nantes and Rennes, the bookmakers favor the visitors, and rightly so, considering the recent results of the teams in the French championship. Luís Castro's side has lost three out of four matches this season, scoring only one goal in four rounds. Rennes is in a much better position – two wins and one draw (6th place in the table). Another important argument in favor of the visitors is the head-to-head statistics – Rennes has won seven of the last eight encounters. Taking all this into account, we suggest betting on the visitors to win with a (0) handicap.
Match Prediction for Nantes vs Rennes: Rennes Handicap (0)
Brest vs Nice
Mid-table Ligue 1 team Nice travels to face the hopeless underdog, Brest. Bookmakers are cautious in their predictions for this matchup and offer nearly equal odds for both teams – we will take advantage of this. Brest has lost the last three league matches, and before that, they had a draw with Lille. With one point, they are in the "red zone" of the league table. Nice is in a better situation: the team has two wins and a balanced goal difference (5:5). Notably, in the last four matches between these opponents, Nice has not lost (2 wins and 2 draws). Considering the head-to-head statistics and the current season's results, we suggest betting on the visitors not to lose.
Match Prediction for Brest vs Nice: Visitors Not to Lose
Lens vs Lille
The resilient Lens will host the "dark horse" of this season – Lille. The home team has two wins and two losses in the current championship, but the losses were against the leaders – PSG and Lyon, which is a significant caveat. Lille, in this Ligue 1 campaign, remains unbeaten – the team has three victories and one draw, demonstrating stable and measured football. Interestingly, in five of the last six matches between these opponents, 2 or fewer goals were scored. Considering that both teams are currently playing well, especially in defense, we expect a low-scoring match in terms of total goals.
Match Prediction for Lens vs Lille: Total Goals Under 3
Paris vs Strasbourg
Paris and Strasbourg both secured victories in the last round and are now looking to extend their winning streak in the championship. The capital club had a shaky start to the current season, losing their first two matches, but then won two in a row. Stefan Gilli's team plays an attacking style against any opponent and has scored in almost every match this season (three out of four). Strasbourg has three wins in the championship, is in 5th place in the standings, and has scored in every round. It seems likely that in the upcoming clash, both teams will find the back of the net.
Match Prediction for Paris vs Strasbourg: Both Teams to Score – Yes
Le Havre vs Lorient
Having lost three matches each this season, Le Havre and Lorient will face off in the fifth round of Ligue 1. Both teams are not displaying their best football and are conceding a lot. The home team's goal difference is 5:7, while the visitors' is 5:12. In the last round, they conceded a total of 5 goals between them. In each of their last four official meetings, 3 or more goals were scored. The underdogs need to take risks and earn points in matches against teams of similar standing, so we expect open football with a high number of goals, as both clubs' defenses are struggling.
Match Prediction for Le Havre vs Lorient: Total Goals Over 2.5
Monaco vs Metz
One of the league leaders hosts a tournament outsider. Monaco enters this match as a clear bookmaker favorite, which is not surprising given that Metz has only one point from four rounds. The "Monegasques" have three wins this season and are in third place in the standings, while their opponent is at the bottom. Monaco has won in their last seven head-to-head encounters. Considering that Metz concedes an average of two goals per game this season, we suggest betting on a handicap (-1.5) for Monaco.
Match Prediction for Monaco vs Metz: Handicap (-1.5) Monaco
Auxerre vs Toulouse
Auxerre and Toulouse are struggling in the current championship and are in the lower part of the standings. The upcoming match is a chance for them to move away from the "red zone." Auxerre lost their last three matches with a goal difference of 2:6 and is currently in a dire state. Toulouse is also losing but shows signs of life – they scored three goals against PSG and one against Lille, although they lost those matches. In the last six matches between these opponents, Toulouse has not lost (4 wins 2 draws). Considering all of the above, we suggest betting on the visitors with a handicap (0).
Match Prediction for Auxerre vs Toulouse: Handicap (0) Toulouse
Marseille vs PSG
In the central match of the fifth round of the French championship, Marseille will face PSG. Despite being the away team, the Parisians are the bookmakers' favorites in this game. So far this season, Paris Saint-Germain has won all their matches – both in the championship and in European competitions. Marseille has lost twice in Ligue 1, but they have secured two victories at home, although the opponents were not the strongest (Lorient and FC Paris). In the last three encounters between Marseille and PSG at the "Orange Vélodrome" stadium, the capital club achieved clean-sheet victories with a total score of 8-0. Playing away is not an issue for the Parisians, so we are betting on an away win.
