French Ligue 1 2011, Week 10 Preview And Fixtures: PSG, Lyon Take It Easy

This week’s Ligue 1 schedule doesn’t feature any of the big teams playing each other, but if you love watching world class sides beat up on minnows, do we have some games for you! Both Paris St. Germain and Olympique Lyonnais will be taking on teams in the drop zone and should be able to secure an easy three points. Of course, Ligue 1 is really weird, so don’t count a five-goal performance from AS Nancy.

Saturday

1:00 pm ET games

AJ Auxerre vs. Lille

Lille haven’t been at their best so far this season, but at four points out of first, they’re still very much contenders for a title with PSG and Lyon. They’re coming off an important 2-0 win over a quality team in Stade Rennes and it looks like the front line of Moussa Sow, Eden Hazard and Joe Cole is meshing well. Auxerre are no joke, though, and they’ll probably play (well) for a draw.

Pick: 1-1 draw

Brest vs. Caen

These two teams do not play thrilling football. There are a few other solid games on during this time slot. Forget that this is a thing.

Pick: 0-0 draw

Evian vs. St. Etienne

If early results are any indication, both of these teams will probably be in the bottom half and trying to avoid a relegation battle all season. St. Etienne are coming off of three straight 1-1 draws. Evian are at home and don’t have a terrific attack. Yep.

Pick: 1-1 draw

Lyon vs. AS Nancy

Nancy are really, really good at making things hard on their opponents and then not getting results. Lyon are good at football. Analysis!

Pick: 1-0 Lyon

Montpellier vs. Dijon

Despite their fun little 11th place standing, Dijon have a goal differential of minus-seven and are almost certainly overachieving at the moment. Montpellier are overachieving as well, but they’re a legitimately good team who should be able to finish in the top-five this season. I feel like this game is going to put Dijon in their rightful place.

Pick: 3-0 Montpellier

Toulouse vs. Marseille

Marseille have one win from nine games and are coming off of two straight 1-1 draws, but the goal will still be a Champions League place at the end of the year. Toulouse have ambitions of finishing in a European place as well, and they’re off to a very solid start. This game will see Andre-Pierre Gignac return from injury to face his old team, and he could be just the spark Marseille needs.

Pick: 2-1 Marseille

3:00 pm

Nice vs. Bordeaux

To be completely blunt, these two teams are a bit crap to watch and this is a pretty bad match for a standalone game on the schedule.

Pick: Whatever (1-1 draw)

Sunday

11:00 am ET games

AC Ajaccio vs. PSG

Oh, poor Memo Ochoa. Javier Pastore’s going to take his cute hair right off his head.

Pick: 3-0 PSG

Valenciennes vs. Sochaux

Valenciennes can’t score. Sochaux can’t defend. This game is being allowed to take place, why?

Pick: 17-16 Sochaux

3:00 pm ET

Stade Rennes vs. Lorient

This is actually a fairly important match, with the two teams sitting in sixth and seventh places respectably. Lorient will almost certainly play for a 0-0 on the road, and Rennes will probably struggle to break them down. Rennes have plenty of attacking talent, though, and i like them to nick the points late.

Pick: 1-0 Rennes