A full calendar of Ligue 1 fixtures take place this weekend with Lionel Messi’s PSG in action against Brest on Friday evening.
Sadly, for fans of Messi, it appears as though this game may come slightly too soon for the legendary Argentinian who is still working his way back to full fitness following his move from Barcelona.
However, PSG, who have won both their games already this season, will have plenty in reserve.
Angers and Clermont Foot are the surprise front runners after two games, both sides possessing a 100 per cent record at the top of the table.
While at the bottom end, Strasbourg and Troyes are currently pointless while defending champions Lille sit 18th after just one point from two games.
Superior Attacking Prowess To Aid PSG
Manager Mauricio Pochettino is undoubtedly under pressure to deliver this year, given PSG lost grip of the Ligue 1 title last season.
The arrival of Messi will be a big boost but, for now, PSG will have to find a way to win without him.
Obviously, they are tacked with talent and forward Mauro Icardi has enjoyed a good start to the season, scoring two in two games.
PSG have won ten of their last 11 meetings against Best and shouldn’t be put under a huge deal of pressure despite the fact Brest have scored in both their games so far this season.
Les Parisiens can be backed at 33/20 to win with both teams to score.
More Stuttering for Lille’s Title Defence
After the elation of winning the Ligue 1 title last season, things have gone a bit sour for Lille.
They lost their manager Christophe Galtier to Nice, and he came back to haunt them with a 4-0 for his new club on the opening weekend.
Star midfielder Renato Sanches is also out for the foreseeable with a knee injury, so new boss Jocelyn Gourvennec will have to find a solution.
Les Dogues travel to Saint Etienne, who have drawn both their Ligue 1 fixtures so far this season.
Game face
#LOSC | @MandavaReinildo | #ASSELOSC pic.twitter.com/CQPcx51coZ
— LOSC Lille EN (@LOSC_EN) August 20, 2021
Goals tend not to be on the agenda for Claude Puel’s side at home – fewer than three goals have been scored in 12 of their last 20 games at the Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
With Lille not at full flow, a draw could well be the outcome, and it can be backed at 11/5.
Big Scoring Expected Between Nice and Marseille
Nice’s season took off last week as Christophe Galtier’s side battered his old club Lille 4-0 away from home.
That followed a goalless draw at home to Reims, meaning they haven’t conceded a goal in each of their two games.
Keeping Marseille quiet will be a challenge. However, they have scored five times in two games with former West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet in inspired form with three strikes.
Previous clashes between the two sides have tended to yield goals – three or more have been scored in the last three head to heads.
Both teams to score can be backed at 5/6.
*All odds correct at time of writing