Two games with huge implications on the Champions and Europa League places, and two games with even bigger implications on the still messy relegation battle. It’s a big, big weekend in France.
Ligue 1 2012, Week 28 Preview And Fixtures: St. Etienne Hosts Lyon With The Champions League In Sight
Lyon, St. Etienne, Toulouse and Rennes can put themselves at the head of the European Tour line. Sochaux and Auxerre both have a big opportunity to break free of the muck, but no matter what, the odds of there being any meaningful separation are slim-to-none. Just the way we like it.
Bongarts/Getty Images
Auxerre vs. Evian
Saturday 3/17; 19:00 CET/2:00 PM ET
This is a six-pointer for a desperate Auxerre side. Does anyone on earth expect them to capitalize? I’m including the players, coaches and supporters in that question. Good heavens what a mess.
Pick: Evian, 3-2
Marseille vs. Dijon
Saturday 3/17; 19:00 CET/2:00 PM ET
Marseille are pulling a reverse-United this season, attempting to make all of their fans forget about the league season by taking a run at the Champions League. Dijon are also pulling a reverse-United by being godawful.
Pick: Marseille, 3-0
Lorient vs. Brest
Saturday 3/17; 19:00 CET/2:00 PM ET
Quietly, after a promising start, Lorient find themselves far too close to the relegation zone for any real comfort. Luckily for the gentlemen in orange, they welcome a team that has yet to win away from home all season.
This is going to be a draw, isn’t it?
Pick: Draw, 1-1
Caen vs. PSG
Saturday 3/17; 19:00 CET/2:00 PM ET
PSG will be missing Maxwell, Clement Chantome, Mohamed Sissoko and Nene for this game. That means the gulf in talent between these two sides is now more Tonkin than Mexico. Still, seeing as how PSG are incapable of doing anything easily, this one will probably be worth watching for the last 20 minutes or so.
Pick: PSG, 2-0
Nancy vs. Montpellier
Saturday 3/17; 19:00 CET/2:00 PM ET
Speaking of title contenders not doing things easily, Montpellier is playing a really bad team! This has gone well for them so far this season.
Pick: Montpellier, 2-1
Bordeaux vs. Ajaccio
Saturday 3/17; 19:00 CET/2:00 PM ET
Two months ago, this game would have been very different in terms of the implications, but Bordeaux went all cuckoo bananas and decided to be respectable again. A little run at the European places is not entirely out of the question at this point. For Ajaccio, keeping their heads above the incomprehensibly beautiful crystal-clear blue water is the primary goal at this point, and given their woeful form away from home, things could begin getting pretty awkward after the weekend.
Pick: Bordeaux, 3-1
St. Etienne vs. Lyon
Saturday 3/17; 21:00 CET/4:00 PM ET
The wheels really have come off for Lyon, no? A failure to pick up a win in this game will make even the Europa League a very difficult task to achieve, and with the way St. Etienne have been playing (not to mention the way Lyon play away from home) it’s tough to see them getting three points or, quite frankly, any points at all.
Pick: St. Etienne, 3-2
Sochaux vs. Nice
Sunday 3/18; 17:00 CET/12:00 PM ET
Okay, I know this is a hugely important game and all, but gross. Ew, eww, ewwwwwwwww.
Pick: Sochaux, 2-1
Rennes vs. Toulouse
Sunday 3/18; 17:00 CET/12:00 PM ET
The other game with major implications in the race for Europe, and in general one of the more promising games anywhere this weekend. You’d think Rennes would be favorites thanks to playing at home, but in reality they’ve been pretty mediocre on their own pitch, while Toulouse have been formidable on the road. Neither of these sides got to where they are thanks to playing exhilarating attacking football, but there’s enough at stake to all but guarantee a whole lot of tension.
Pick: Rennes, 1-0
Lille vs. Valenciennes
Sunday 3/18; 21:00 CET/4:00 PM ET
So how's that whole Joe Cole thing working out, guys? Guys?
Pick: Lille, 3-1
See More:
