Ligue 1 Predictions | Round 8 – Get French Football News

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: 39

Luke: 51

Game of the week: AS Monaco v Lille OSC, Friday19:45 (UK)

Monaco are the in-form team in Ligue 1 and the table reflects that. They headed into the international break two points clear of second-placed PSG thanks to a 2-1 win over Rennes. The scoreline didn’t reflect the entire story; it was a very comfortable win for the Principality club, like many that came before it. However, there was a blow in that game with Folarin Balogun, in a rich vein of form, coming off with a shoulder injury. He did not join up with the USMNT during the international break and whilst nothing has been confirmed, it looks unlikely that he will play any part against Lille. It is a blow for Monaco with Balogun netting in all of his last three games. In his absence, Breel Embolo, short on confidence, or the inexperienced George Ilenikhena will have to step up. 

But goals aren’t really an issue in this team, even in the absence of Balogun, who is by no means a guaranteed starter under Adi Hutter. Keeping goals out may prove a more difficult challenge. Thilo Kehrer in particular has been excellent for Monaco, as has Wilfried Singo, and there is a feeling of overreliance on individual performances at the back, rather than a perfectly balanced set-up. But should Kehrer keep performing, Monaco will be confident of extending their unbeaten run. 

Lille are the unknown quantity this season in the sense that you never know what you are going to get. Looking at precedent, their return from the international break in September was dreadful as they lost to Saint-Étienne. Key figures looked off the pace on that night and they will be keen to avoid a repeat. Bruno Genesio’s inconsistent side received a boost pre-match as it was revealed that Tiago Santos’ injury was not serious. He will be fit to start in what is a big boost. Against an attack-minded full-back in the form of Caio Henrique, he could have plenty of joy bombing down the right. Monaco have won only one of the last four against LOSC but they will be slight favourites this time around. 

Raphaël’s full predictions

• Monaco 2-2 Lille
• Brest 2-2 Rennes
• Saint-Étienne 1-2 Lens
• PSG 3-1 Strasbourg
• Le Havre 1-1 Lyon
• Toulouse 2-0 Angers
• Nantes 1-0 Nice
• Auxerre 2-0 Reims
• Montpellier 0-3 Marseille

Luke’s full predictions

• Monaco 2-1 Lille
• Brest 3-2 Rennes
• PSG 1-1 Strasbourg
• Saint-Étienne 1-2 Lens
• Le Havre 0-2 Lyon
• Toulouse 1-0 Angers
• Nantes 1-2 Nice
• Auxerre 0-3 Reims
• Montpellier 2-4 Marseille

GFFN | Luke Entwistle