GFFN Chief Features Writer Eric Devin and veteran GFFN contributor Jeremy Smith face off in our Ligue 1 predictions competition. It’s three points for a correct score and one point for a correct result. Who will come out on top at the end of the season?
Scores after week eleven!
JEREMY: 71
ERIC: 72
Game of the Week, Marseille v Strasbourg, Saturday, 8pm (UK)
Jeremy: It’s a testament to the continued competitivity (top spot aside) of Ligue 1 that almost every match still has something riding on it this weekend. The largest stakes are arguably at the Velodrome, where Marseille need to secure a Champions League place which is suddenly under threat after looking comfortably theirs a few weeks back, while Strasbourg could cap an excellent season by winning a Europa League spot. Marseille have struggled at home this season and their last two Velodrome matches – 0-3 vs Lyon and 0-0 vs Feyenoord – don’t bode well. Strasbourg have lost only one of their last seven away from home and will feel confident that they can test an OM team who will have more pressure on them to meet the club’s stated aim for UCL qualification.
Eric: With both of these teams eager to secure a league position that will see them comfortably into Europe, this is easily the weekend’s biggest match. Marseille are looking to seal third, or second in the event of Monaco dropping points, while Strasbourg can hold off Nice to clinch fifth and a Conference League spot. While one might be tempted to give the hosts the edge, knowing how the Vélodrome can be an intimidating atmosphere, Marseille’s exhaustion has been laid bare in recent weeks, and Julien Stéphan’s swashbuckling side should have the edge here.
Jeremy’s Full Predictions:
Nantes 2-1 Saint-Etienne
Brest 2-0 Bordeaux
Angers 2-1 Montpellier
Lorient 2-1 Troyes
PSG 3-0 Metz
Clermont 2-2 Lyon
Lens 2-2 Monaco
Reims 1-2 Nice
Marseille 2-2 Strasbourg
Lille 1-2 Rennes
Eric’s Full Predictions:
Nantes 1-1 Saint-Etienne
Brest 2-1 Bordeaux
Angers 2-1 Montpellier
Lorient 1-1 Troyes
PSG 4-1 Metz
Clermont 1-2 Lyon
Lens 1-2 Monaco
Reims 1-3 Nice
Marseille 1-2 Strasbourg
Lille 1-3 Rennes
