Ligue 1 Weekend Preview: Round 15

voldemort · 11-24-2007, 07:14 PM

Saturday 24 November (all times local)
17:10 Rennes - Lyon
20:00 Caen - Bordeaux
20:00 Lens - Lorient
20:00 Marseille - Metz
20:00 Nancy - Lille
20:00 Saint Etienne - Sochaux
20:00 Strasbourg - Valenciennes
20:00 Toulouse - Monaco
Sunday 25 November
18:00 Auxerre - Le Mans
20:55 Nice - Paris Saint-Germain

Rennes - Lyon

The weekend starts with what is almost a table-topping clash. Fourth-placed Rennes welcome Olympique Lyonnais to the North.

Lyon lost out at Rennes in November last year, and the rouge-et-noir will certainly be hoping that lightning strikes twice in that respect.

However, after a difficult start to the campaign away from home, Les Gones have won their last four games on the road.

Jeremy Toulalan, having played 45 minutes with the French national side midweek, is fit to play, while the hosts will welcome Sylvain Wiltord as he prepares to line up against his former club.
Caen - Bordeaux

'Malherbe' found themselves sucked back into the relegation mire as they lost out 3-0 to Valenciennes last week, and a visit from Bordeaux is hardly the easy passage that they would have wanted as league duty resumes.

The visitors emphatically thumped Rennes 3-0 in the last round, and they've lost just once away from home over the course of the campaign. As such, Laurent Blanc's men will be confident of success on the Manche coast.

Yoan Gouffran has returned safe and sound from international duty for Caen, while Marouane Chamakh is back from suspension for the Girondins.

Lens - Lorient

Lens' resurgence continued with a 2-1 win away to struggling Metz last week, while Lorient finally managed to stop their own slide with a home victory over Toulouse.

In that sense, this is an intriguing encounter, not least for the relegation-threatened sang-et-or.

Milan Basevic will return from international duty for them, while Lorient - looking for their first away win since August - welcome back Ullrich le Pen.

Marseille - Metz

L'OM, rejuvenated under Eric Gerets, managed a fine away win over Lyon in the last round of matches and, as struggling Metz come calling, will look to put their home woes to bed.

They've managed just one Ligue 1 win at the Velodrome all season - a total not good enough, and one that's kept them in and around the relegation zone.

Still, with Samir Nasri playing well for France this weel, confidence is higher than usual. What's more, the Grentas are arguably the weakest side in the league.

It's been a torrid season so far for the newly-promoted outfit, but they can draw solace from the fact that they've taken fully five of their seven points away from home.

Nancy - Lille

Nancy are just three points off top spot heading into this encounter and they have every chance of keeping the pressure up against Lille.

The Lorraine outfit have won six and drawn one of their seven league games at home this season, while the visitors arrive battered and bruised due to injury and suspension.

They'll be without Maric, Franquart and Cabaye due to injury, as well as Plestan and Tavarel thanks to suspension.

Makoun, Toure and star striker Patrick Kluivert are far from certain to make it, too.

Saint-Etienne - Sochaux

The Greens have lost their last two matches 3-2, slipping to tenth place in what has been a largely disappointing season for the home from the Geoffroy-Guichard.

Coach Laurent Roussey is finding things as tough as his predecessor, who led them to an eleventh place finish last season, but knows that a win here is vital.

Les Lionceaux - who have lost just once away from home all season, drawing five times on their travels - may come looking for a point.

Gomis has overcome his minor injury scare to make the home squad ahead of this encounter.

Strasbourg - Valenciennes

Racing haven't lost at home to Valenciennes in the top flight since 1969 but, with just two home wins to their name all season, will need to be at their best to keep that record going.

Still, their away form has kept them top half, which is surely good news for the newly-promoted outfit.

The visitors, meanwhile, thanked hat-trick hero Filip Sebo for his treble last week against Caen, and will look to retain or even improve on their impressive sixth place standing after this encounter.

Toulouse - Monaco

TEF's inconsistent season rolls on after that loss in Lorient last week; now, they're just two points off the relegation zone as Monaco journey along the coast to meet them.

With just five goals scored at home all season, it's looking tough for the hosts, for whom Johan Elmander is uncertain. But, Monaco have problems of their own.

Coach Gomes will be without regulars Perez, Gakpe and Menez, along with Leko, for a match that could have potentially seen his side rise up to fifth place.

Auxerre - Le Mans

Into Sunday, and the Abbe-Deschamps outfit sorely need a win over Le Mans.

AJA are in the relegation zone with 14 points, their inconsistency beginning to tell. Still, they've won four and lost three of their home games this season, and perhaps that all-or-nothing attitude can get them the three points here.

Le Mans, though, come with a mission of their own. They've confounded the critics to rise to fifth place, mostly thanks to a fine home record.

But they won here last season; perhaps the fond memories can help their turn their two game away losing streak around, particularly with Basa and Matsui back in training and likely to take part.

Nice - Paris Saint-Germain

Nice close off the weekend with a visit from capital outfit Paris Saint-Germain.

The Cote d'Azur men have a credible 20 points so far and are yet to lose at the Municipal du Rey all season. What's more, they won this fixture last season, and the season before, by a goal to nil.

However, a challenge awaits. Paul Le Guen's men are injury-free and ready for a tough match, albeit a welcome one.

Their away form is admirable - they're the only team unbeaten on the road - and one might say that unfamiliar stadia are a home from home
.

source: Goal.com

11-24-2007, 07:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,202	Ligue 1 Weekend Preview: Round 15 Saturday 24 November (all times local) 17:10 Rennes - Lyon 20:00 Caen - Bordeaux 20:00 Lens - Lorient 20:00 Marseille - Metz 20:00 Nancy - Lille 20:00 Saint Etienne - Sochaux 20:00 Strasbourg - Valenciennes 20:00 Toulouse - Monaco Sunday 25 November 18:00 Auxerre - Le Mans 20:55 Nice - Paris Saint-Germain Rennes - Lyon The weekend starts with what is almost a table-topping clash. Fourth-placed Rennes welcome Olympique Lyonnais to the North. Lyon lost out at Rennes in November last year, and the rouge-et-noir will certainly be hoping that lightning strikes twice in that respect. However, after a difficult start to the campaign away from home, Les Gones have won their last four games on the road. Jeremy Toulalan, having played 45 minutes with the French national side midweek, is fit to play, while the hosts will welcome Sylvain Wiltord as he prepares to line up against his former club. Caen - Bordeaux 'Malherbe' found themselves sucked back into the relegation mire as they lost out 3-0 to Valenciennes last week, and a visit from Bordeaux is hardly the easy passage that they would have wanted as league duty resumes. The visitors emphatically thumped Rennes 3-0 in the last round, and they've lost just once away from home over the course of the campaign. As such, Laurent Blanc's men will be confident of success on the Manche coast. Yoan Gouffran has returned safe and sound from international duty for Caen, while Marouane Chamakh is back from suspension for the Girondins. Lens - Lorient Lens' resurgence continued with a 2-1 win away to struggling Metz last week, while Lorient finally managed to stop their own slide with a home victory over Toulouse. In that sense, this is an intriguing encounter, not least for the relegation-threatened sang-et-or. Milan Basevic will return from international duty for them, while Lorient - looking for their first away win since August - welcome back Ullrich le Pen. Marseille - Metz L'OM, rejuvenated under Eric Gerets, managed a fine away win over Lyon in the last round of matches and, as struggling Metz come calling, will look to put their home woes to bed. They've managed just one Ligue 1 win at the Velodrome all season - a total not good enough, and one that's kept them in and around the relegation zone. Still, with Samir Nasri playing well for France this weel, confidence is higher than usual. What's more, the Grentas are arguably the weakest side in the league. It's been a torrid season so far for the newly-promoted outfit, but they can draw solace from the fact that they've taken fully five of their seven points away from home. Nancy - Lille Nancy are just three points off top spot heading into this encounter and they have every chance of keeping the pressure up against Lille. The Lorraine outfit have won six and drawn one of their seven league games at home this season, while the visitors arrive battered and bruised due to injury and suspension. They'll be without Maric, Franquart and Cabaye due to injury, as well as Plestan and Tavarel thanks to suspension. Makoun, Toure and star striker Patrick Kluivert are far from certain to make it, too. Saint-Etienne - Sochaux The Greens have lost their last two matches 3-2, slipping to tenth place in what has been a largely disappointing season for the home from the Geoffroy-Guichard. Coach Laurent Roussey is finding things as tough as his predecessor, who led them to an eleventh place finish last season, but knows that a win here is vital. Les Lionceaux - who have lost just once away from home all season, drawing five times on their travels - may come looking for a point. Gomis has overcome his minor injury scare to make the home squad ahead of this encounter. Strasbourg - Valenciennes Racing haven't lost at home to Valenciennes in the top flight since 1969 but, with just two home wins to their name all season, will need to be at their best to keep that record going. Still, their away form has kept them top half, which is surely good news for the newly-promoted outfit. The visitors, meanwhile, thanked hat-trick hero Filip Sebo for his treble last week against Caen, and will look to retain or even improve on their impressive sixth place standing after this encounter. Toulouse - Monaco TEF's inconsistent season rolls on after that loss in Lorient last week; now, they're just two points off the relegation zone as Monaco journey along the coast to meet them. With just five goals scored at home all season, it's looking tough for the hosts, for whom Johan Elmander is uncertain. But, Monaco have problems of their own. Coach Gomes will be without regulars Perez, Gakpe and Menez, along with Leko, for a match that could have potentially seen his side rise up to fifth place. Auxerre - Le Mans Into Sunday, and the Abbe-Deschamps outfit sorely need a win over Le Mans. AJA are in the relegation zone with 14 points, their inconsistency beginning to tell. Still, they've won four and lost three of their home games this season, and perhaps that all-or-nothing attitude can get them the three points here. Le Mans, though, come with a mission of their own. They've confounded the critics to rise to fifth place, mostly thanks to a fine home record. But they won here last season; perhaps the fond memories can help their turn their two game away losing streak around, particularly with Basa and Matsui back in training and likely to take part. Nice - Paris Saint-Germain Nice close off the weekend with a visit from capital outfit Paris Saint-Germain. The Cote d'Azur men have a credible 20 points so far and are yet to lose at the Municipal du Rey all season. What's more, they won this fixture last season, and the season before, by a goal to nil. However, a challenge awaits. Paul Le Guen's men are injury-free and ready for a tough match, albeit a welcome one. Their away form is admirable - they're the only team unbeaten on the road - and one might say that unfamiliar stadia are a home from home . source: Goal.com