French Soccer League Predictions and Discussion Thread (Ligue 1)

[OcTradism]

It has been confirmed Lionel Messi has tested positive for COVID-19. Messi may miss a couple of Ligue 1 matches, but the rest of the team might be able to handle it well. As an athlete, he is still the best quick recovery Messi. However, it was obvious from the way he attended public gatherings. The festive season may have contributed to this. I hope you recover quickly.

It is another bad thing for this bad season of Messi. Only 1 goal after almost half of a season and now tested positively with Covid19. I wish he will be fine and probably he will be fine because he is a strong player and perhaps already vaccinated with two jabs.

Although I am not worry too much about his health, I am more worrying about troubles and decreasing performance of Messi after leaving Barcelona and after success in Coppa America. After last summer, Messi has never come back to his best.

This might not even be the end of the infection series at PSG, it most likely won't be. Most of these players have families and with that involved, I think it is close to impossible to get away without infection. I am sure Messi has done as much as he could to deny catching Covid, but there is only so much you can do in your daily life.

The infection of this virus and its variants won't stop. We already live in this world together with so many viruses and many Coronaviruses. This Corona virus type won't be the last one on Earth and won't be the last one we will have to live with.

With vaccines, higher vaccination cover, our global society might have less burden on health system, facilities so that we might have better health care for people who need it as most such as most vulnerable people like elderly, serious chronic diseases, etc. Anyway, we will have to live with the virus, in peace. Leagues will have to adapt to the virus and some more changes of pandemic situation soon.

I believe next few months or in 2023, we will soon consider it as endemic, and it will no longer be considered as pandemic.

[mv1986]

It has been confirmed Lionel Messi has tested positive for COVID-19. Messi may miss a couple of Ligue 1 matches, but the rest of the team might be able to handle it well. As an athlete, he is still the best quick recovery Messi. However, it was obvious from the way he attended public gatherings. The festive season may have contributed to this. I hope you recover quickly.

It is another bad thing for this bad season of Messi. Only 1 goal after almost half of a season and now tested positively with Covid19. I wish he will be fine and probably he will be fine because he is a strong player and perhaps already vaccinated with two jabs.

Although I am not worry too much about his health, I am more worrying about troubles and decreasing performance of Messi after leaving Barcelona and after success in Coppa America. After last summer, Messi has never come back to his best.

This might not even be the end of the infection series at PSG, it most likely won't be. Most of these players have families and with that involved, I think it is close to impossible to get away without infection. I am sure Messi has done as much as he could to deny catching Covid, but there is only so much you can do in your daily life.

The infection of this virus and its variants won't stop. We already live in this world together with so many viruses and many Coronaviruses. This Corona virus type won't be the last one on Earth and won't be the last one we will have to live with.

With vaccines, higher vaccination cover, our global society might have less burden on health system, facilities so that we might have better health care for people who need it as most such as most vulnerable people like elderly, serious chronic diseases, etc. Anyway, we will have to live with the virus, in peace. Leagues will have to adapt to the virus and some more changes of pandemic situation soon.

I believe next few months or in 2023, we will soon consider it as endemic, and it will no longer be considered as pandemic.

And even though this refers to Coup de Francs, you just saw what happened to Girondins Bordeaux? 21!!! players got infected, Bordeaux played with a C team and they just lost against an outsider. That is how hard the virus can influence the results right now. Absolutely crazy, but there is nothing you can do against it.

[ILuckyGuyI]

Lionel Messi has also joined the players who have tested positive for covid-19. And this is really bad for the PSG side of course. Neymar and Messi both are absent now. But thankfully, they are in a very safe condition in the Ligue 1. Mbappe would still be able to carry the team in the next games. However, I hope to see none of their biggest players absent for their CL matchup. Otherwise, this would be a huge opportunity for Real Madrid to eliminate them.

[poldanmig]

Lionel Messi has also joined the players who have tested positive for covid-19. And this is really bad for the PSG side of course. Neymar and Messi both are absent now. But thankfully, they are in a very safe condition in the Ligue 1. Mbappe would still be able to carry the team in the next games. However, I hope to see none of their biggest players absent for their CL matchup. Otherwise, this would be a huge opportunity for Real Madrid to eliminate them.

The champions league game is still very long, about 1 month away, and I think for players who are affected by covid now maybe they will only miss 2 or 3 matches because of the current quarantine, and of course they have enough time to recover before facing real madrid later, apart from that With the current PSG squad, it will certainly not be difficult for PSG to play a league match even without Messi, especially in the next few matches PSG will not face a team that is too strong in the league.

[Boristhecat]

Lionel Messi has also joined the players who have tested positive for covid-19. And this is really bad for the PSG side of course. Neymar and Messi both are absent now. But thankfully, they are in a very safe condition in the Ligue 1. Mbappe would still be able to carry the team in the next games. However, I hope to see none of their biggest players absent for their CL matchup. Otherwise, this would be a huge opportunity for Real Madrid to eliminate them.

By the time they meet in the Champions League, Real Madrid and PSG will most likely have returned all their players from quarantine. If they met now, then Real would not have the advantage since Vinicius is also in quarantine. The domestic league is not a problem for PSG, so I think they will easily bear temporary difficulties, the depth of the squad allows the head coach to make changes without much damage to the strength of the team.

[perfect999]

By the time they meet in the Champions League, Real Madrid and PSG will most likely have returned all their players from quarantine. If they met now, then Real would not have the advantage since Vinicius is also in quarantine. The domestic league is not a problem for PSG, so I think they will easily bear temporary difficulties, the depth of the squad allows the head coach to make changes without much damage to the strength of the team.

Now we have nearly more than 45 days in this match so most chances all players will be available for this match with their full energy because it's very long time and in local league they already have good lead from their opponents, and they have no serious challenge from any team which is also good for them.

Next match against Lyon on 10 January with current form of Lyon if they send their second team they also have quality to take all 3 points because Lyon is struggling very badly and have no enough quality to face this PSG team which is on top with very good deficit. During this period mostly players will be available for selection because now with vaccine we have some better and quick recovery from this.

[CLS63]

Nantes vs Monaco seems to be even the most interesting game of this week. Monaco are only one point ahead of Nantes in the league standings now. Nantes are in a better condition as they are on a winning streak of three games currently. I especially appreciate Nantes' high effort this season. Because they were almost relegating from the Ligue 1 last season. And now, we see them at the 7th position which is a big improvement for them. And I believe that Nantes won't let Monaco win this game. But both teams seem to be able to score at least one goal.

[izsara]

It has been confirmed Lionel Messi has tested positive for COVID-19. Messi may miss a couple of Ligue 1 matches, but the rest of the team might be able to handle it well. As an athlete, he is still the best quick recovery Messi. However, it was obvious from the way he attended public gatherings. The festive season may have contributed to this. I hope you recover quickly.

An official statement has been issued by PSG regarding the condition of some of their players, apart from Messi, PSG also lost Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico and Nathan Bitumazala who tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the match against Vannes in the last 16 of the French Cup, I think missing Messi and several other players, of course, will not have much influence on the PSG squad, because they have several other players with quite qualified quality, besides that it is possible that PSG will not field their main squad in the match, in addition to resting the main players, of course the coach will provide opportunities for young players or teams reserves to play, I think vannes OC who plays in the 4th division of the francis league is not a strong team that PSG should be afraid of.

This might not even be the end of the infection series at PSG, it most likely won't be. Most of these players have families and with that involved, I think it is close to impossible to get away without infection. I am sure Messi has done as much as he could to deny catching Covid, but there is only so much you can do in your daily life.

I only hope for the best for them because this will definitely have a big impact on their continued performance.
Their schedule is hectic and most of their first team is currently hit by the covid storm and this will definitely have an effect on PSG. maybe the proposed spectator match will be an alternative, although it's a shame it's happening again now

[barbara44]

Nantes vs Monaco seems to be even the most interesting game of this week. Monaco are only one point ahead of Nantes in the league standings now. Nantes are in a better condition as they are on a winning streak of three games currently. I especially appreciate Nantes' high effort this season. Because they were almost relegating from the Ligue 1 last season. And now, we see them at the 7th position which is a big improvement for them. And I believe that Nantes won't let Monaco win this game. But both teams seem to be able to score at least one goal.

Surely this is going to be very interesting competition after break with both teams current form is equal and have not enough difference in points but still I am feeling good about Monaco because they are doing very good after having very poor start in early matches hopefully with this win they can jump into some better way for having connections into European links for next season.

Rennes having bad form before break and Montpellier is also doing very good after poor matches, this can create some fascinating and entertaining competition between these teams for having good end of this season.

[Shasha80]

Nantes vs Monaco seems to be even the most interesting game of this week. Monaco are only one point ahead of Nantes in the league standings now. Nantes are in a better condition as they are on a winning streak of three games currently. I especially appreciate Nantes' high effort this season. Because they were almost relegating from the Ligue 1 last season. And now, we see them at the 7th position which is a big improvement for them. And I believe that Nantes won't let Monaco win this game. But both teams seem to be able to score at least one goal.

The Nantes vs Monaco match is indeed very interesting, because both teams will try to win the match to be able to move up to a higher position.
Moreover, between Nantes and Monaco only one point difference, this will make the competition between the two more interesting. I agree that
this season Nantes is very different from the previous season, Nantes this season is playing more solidly than the previous season. Now that Nantes is
in 7th place, it's a great achievement. Moreover, Nantes players are on fire after winning the match 3 times in a row. Unlike Monaco, which this
season's performance has decreased compared to the previous season, this season Monaco has lost too many points. But Monaco still has a chance
to move up its position if it can beat Nantes, after all, the difference in points between Monaco and Nice who are in second place is not too far away.
So there is still an opportunity for Monaco to return to the top 3, for that Monaco must be able to beat Nantes this week. According to my prediction
Monaco will win the game, because the quality of Monaco's players is better than Nantes, the most important thing is that Monaco does not
underestimate Nantes and can play more disciplined.

[Ratash]

Nantes vs Monaco seems to be even the most interesting game of this week. Monaco are only one point ahead of Nantes in the league standings now. Nantes are in a better condition as they are on a winning streak of three games currently. I especially appreciate Nantes' high effort this season. Because they were almost relegating from the Ligue 1 last season. And now, we see them at the 7th position which is a big improvement for them. And I believe that Nantes won't let Monaco win this game. But both teams seem to be able to score at least one goal.

This indeed will be an interesting game you can say both teamq are on a positive streak they both won 3 games from their last 4 and they have both beating tough oponents in my opinion monaco team has more chance to win this game if they stay focused but btts is a reasonable bet.

[snipie]

Just realised there are some interesting Coupe games today, some already played but there are some tasty upset picks -- thinking of upsets against Marseille @11/1 but I wonder if Monaco and St Etienne are value bets against lower opposition? A handicap or HT win could easily get you about 2/1 on each of them. Don't know enough about French situations with teams though so am staying away from them (for now).

Thoughts?

Didn't pay attention to these games since I don't recall seeing interesting ones but it is funny to see Clermont and Rennes failing against Ligue 2 teams. Worst part Nancy and Bastia are sitting in the bottom of the table.. Otherwise there isn't other surprises over there.

[BALIK]

Well, is there a separate thread for Coupe De France? I enjoy Coupe De France matches but can't find any thread to discuss.

Yesterday I watched the match of PSG vs Vannes. PSG formed the squad without Messi, Neymar and Di Maria. However, they won 4-0. PSG was leading 1-0 in the first half. Mbappe's superb performance in the second half helped PSG win 4-0. Mbappe scored a hat trick.

[KTChampions]

Well, is there a separate thread for Coupe De France? I enjoy Coupe De France matches but can't find any thread to discuss.

Yesterday I watched the match of PSG vs Vannes. PSG formed the squad without Messi, Neymar and Di Maria. However, they won 4-0. PSG was leading 1-0 in the first half. Mbappe's superb performance in the second half helped PSG win 4-0. Mbappe scored a hat trick.

National Cups are small, low value tournaments, which is why they are discussed in the national championship threads. In general, I noticed that cups are remembered only when there are pauses like the one that is taking place now or when irreconcilable rivals meet in them like Real - Barcelona, Bavaria - Borussia, etc.

[hahay]

Well, is there a separate thread for Coupe De France? I enjoy Coupe De France matches but can't find any thread to discuss.

Yesterday I watched the match of PSG vs Vannes. PSG formed the squad without Messi, Neymar and Di Maria. However, they won 4-0. PSG was leading 1-0 in the first half. Mbappe's superb performance in the second half helped PSG win 4-0. Mbappe scored a hat trick.

PSG should have won bigger than that, because Vannes itself is a small club. In fact, sometimes we mention things like Ligue 1 (highest tier) and Ligue 2 (second/lower tier), which means there are different quality teams there. Vannes are a team that doesn't even play in the second and third tiers because Vannes are playing in National 2, that's a lot of distance, difference and quality and PSG only winning 4-0 is not something good.

[poldanmig]

Well, is there a separate thread for Coupe De France? I enjoy Coupe De France matches but can't find any thread to discuss.

Yesterday I watched the match of PSG vs Vannes. PSG formed the squad without Messi, Neymar and Di Maria. However, they won 4-0. PSG was leading 1-0 in the first half. Mbappe's superb performance in the second half helped PSG win 4-0. Mbappe scored a hat trick.

PSG had an easy match against Vannes even they were able to control the ball almost 66% throughout the match, losing messi is not a big problem for PSG at this time in my opinion, moreover they have a layer of squad that can be said to be fairly even in all lines, but actually I expect if in that match there will be many goals scored considering their opponent is a 4th caste club in the French league.

[buwaytress]

Just realised there are some interesting Coupe games today, some already played but there are some tasty upset picks -- thinking of upsets against Marseille @11/1 but I wonder if Monaco and St Etienne are value bets against lower opposition? A handicap or HT win could easily get you about 2/1 on each of them. Don't know enough about French situations with teams though so am staying away from them (for now).

Thoughts?

Didn't pay attention to these games since I don't recall seeing interesting ones but it is funny to see Clermont and Rennes failing against Ligue 2 teams. Worst part Nancy and Bastia are sitting in the bottom of the table.. Otherwise there isn't other surprises over there.

So I'd have gotten away with the value bets if I paired them, but ended up spending money elsewhere (and losing it heh).

We've got even funnier potentials coming up I guess but Lens - Lille is the "pick" of the night as the only Coupe game before Friday Ligue 1 reopens at Bordeaux. Both tend to be really poor on corner counts, occasional high yellows, so it's set up to to be a drastically dull affair unless both play reserves (which they really shouldn't).

8th place vs 9th place, Lens to score first my value bet @1.85?

[DU18]

Well, is there a separate thread for Coupe De France? I enjoy Coupe De France matches but can't find any thread to discuss.

Yesterday I watched the match of PSG vs Vannes. PSG formed the squad without Messi, Neymar and Di Maria. However, they won 4-0. PSG was leading 1-0 in the first half. Mbappe's superb performance in the second half helped PSG win 4-0. Mbappe scored a hat trick.

PSG should have won bigger than that, because Vannes itself is a small club. In fact, sometimes we mention things like Ligue 1 (highest tier) and Ligue 2 (second/lower tier), which means there are different quality teams there. Vannes are a team that doesn't even play in the second and third tiers because Vannes are playing in National 2, that's a lot of distance, difference and quality and PSG only winning 4-0 is not something good.

I just saw the statistics of the games of the two teams in that match, PSG did appear quite dominant and even they managed to release 25 kicks with 11 of them on target, with so many chances, of course  that PSG should have scored more than 5 goals, moreover they played almost half of the main players in that match, I think with the results obtained in that match,  it was actually Vannes game that deserved our applause, because with a modest squad they were able to prevent PSG from scoring more.

[CLS63]

Rennes having bad form before break and Montpellier is also doing very good after poor matches, this can create some fascinating and entertaining competition between these teams for having good end of this season.

Montpellier and Rennes both are doing really good this season. They have the same points now and they are at top places. When it comes to their next games ahead, Montpellier seem to have the most comfortable game. It is against Troyes and it's a home game for Montpellier also. I guess that they would get a comfortable win as Troyes are one of the worst teams now. But Rennes have a really tough away game ahead against Lens. Because Lens are one of the strong teams now. I think that Lens will not let them win.

[swogerino]

Rennes having bad form before break and Montpellier is also doing very good after poor matches, this can create some fascinating and entertaining competition between these teams for having good end of this season.

Montpellier and Rennes both are doing really good this season. They have the same points now and they are at top places. When it comes to their next games ahead, Montpellier seem to have the most comfortable game. It is against Troyes and it's a home game for Montpellier also. I guess that they would get a comfortable win as Troyes are one of the worst teams now. But Rennes have a really tough away game ahead against Lens. Because Lens are one of the strong teams now. I think that Lens will not let them win.

The only true fight here is for the second place.The first place is already away with 13 points difference and the Ligue 1 is extremely boring compared for example to Premier League or Serie A in Italy.This is the result of having one stellar team like PSG and all other teams having mediocre to normal players compared to PSG.

It would be a shame for PSG with all the players they have including Messi this year not to win the Champions League as their focus is totally there now,Ligue 1 is just a formality for them now.