Ligue 1 Preview, Week 2: Title Favorites Looking To Right The Ship
After an opening week that brought with it some very surprising results, several title contenders will try to get things back on track while a couple of underdogs look to build some positive momentum early on.
Lorient vs. Bordeaux
Time: 17:00 CET/1:00 PM EST
In beating PSG 1-0 at Parc des Princes on opening day of the Ligue 1 season, Lorient didn’t just pick up three very unexpected points to get their season off to a strong start; they also won a victory for alternative fuel sources. Farmers throughout the grain belt proudly painted large cod on the sides of their tractors, while environmental engineers proudly covered their algae-filled work spaces with orange and black regalia. Hippies throughout America cried a single tear and looked towards the heavens in awe while filling their 1984 VW Rabbit conversions with was so recently used cooking oil. Finally, there is hope for a better tomorrow.
Pick: Lorient, 2-1
Lyon vs. AC Ajaccio
Time: 17:00 CET/1:00 PM EST
It’s a good thing Lyon got the season off to a good start against Nice; otherwise they might have panicked and paid €22 million for Yoann Gourc-oh. I wonder if Franck Robery is homesick.
Pick: Lyon, 3-0
Sochaux vs. Caen
Time: 17:00 CET/1:00 PM EST
Last week I said Caen may surprise a lot of people this season. Well, they won a game. So I was right.
Pick: Sochaux, 3-1
St. Etienne vs. Nancy
Time: 17:00 CET/1:00 PM EST
This is the Ligue 1 equivalent of a terse email exchange between two department sub-heads.
Pick: Draw, 1-1
Stades Rennes vs. PSG
Time: 17:00 CET/1:00 PM EST
PSG might have lost their first game under new ownership at home to a team that finished in the bottom half last season, but in beating out Chelsea for Pastore’s signature they won a crucial battle in the “team fans of second-tier clubs all across Europe will hate for making it impossible for them to ever improve” war.
Pick: PSG, 3-1
Toulouse v. Dijon
Time: 17:00 CET/1:00 PM EST
The five goals Dijon surrendered to Stades Rennes last week is equal to 13% of Stade Rennes’ total number of goals scored all of last season.
Pick: Toulouse, 3-1
Valenciennes vs. Brest
Time: 19:00 CET/3:00 PM EST
In their respective first games of the season, Valenciennes lost to Caen while Brest drew at home with Évian. I think it’s safe to say that no matter what happens in this game, both sides will be humiliated.
Pick: Valenciennes, 2-0
Sunday
Auxerre vs. Marseille
If Marseille were hoping to make a “Don’t forget about us!” statement in the season opener, a 2-2 draw with Sochaux was kind of the wrong way to go about it. But at least they didn’t get waxed by Montpellier. I mean come on.
Time: 15:00 CET/11:00 AM EST
Pick: Marseille, 2-1
Évian TG vs. Nice
Time: 15:00 CET/11:00 AM EST
Well here’s a real barn-burner.
Pick: Nice, 3-1
Lille vs. Montpelier
Time: 19:00 CET/3:00 PM EST
Clearly Lille were missing the calming presence of Gervinho’s hair last week. Expect Eden Hazard to try to spark them into action by styling his hair into the shape of a Peacock this week.
Pick: Lille, 3-1
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