Weekend Preview

Ligue 1 starts this weekend! Its been to long Le Championate, but we are once again reunited with our French League. As I did from time to time last year, I will give you a quick rundown on the games for the weekend. And I will highlight one or two interesting encounters, although the first games for all teams are gonna be interesting in themselves. Here is the fixture list:

(Note, I am a little behind because Ligue 2 and National have already begun)

Saturday 08/09/08

Auxerre v Nantes

15:00 ET Chaban-Delmas Bordeaux v Caen

15:00 ET Jules-Dechasseaux Le Havre AC v Nice

15:00 ET Leon Bollee Le Mans v Lorient

15:00 ET Stade Louis II Monaco v PSG

15:00 ET Marcel-Picot AS Nancy Lorraine v Lille

15:00 ET Route de Lorient Rennes v Marseille

15:00 ET Auguste-Bonal Sochaux v Grenoble

15:00 ET Stade Nungesser Valenciennes v St Etienne

Sunday 08/10/08

15:00 ET Stade de Gerland Lyon v Toulouse

I would say its always fun to watch the promoted teams play their first game in the top flight. So Le Harve and Nantes, even though having played in the top flight before, will be good games, as Auxerre and Nice, their opponents respectively, will give them a good test. But personally, the pick of the new boys is the Grenoble vs. Sochaux match at the Auguste Bonal. Grenoble is one of those teams you just hate to cheer against, so lets hope they get off on the right foot.

Bordeaux, Marseille and PSG all have hefty expectations for this year as usual, as someone has to stop Lyon from an 8th consecutive title. I think the PSG vs. Monaco game at the Louis II will be the highlight match of the round. PSG has signed a number of good players, while Monaco has basically guarenteed another midtable year, so its all on PSG to come out of the starting gate flying.

Of course the closest resemblance of a match between two top teams is Rennes vs. Marseille at the Stade de Route de Lorient. Rennes have not made to much noise in the transfer market, but the group they have returning was dangerous, if sometime lathargic last year. Marseille will have a debut for new boy Hatem Ben Arfa, which is worth a gander as well, to see if he does any tricks, or punches a team mate.

And of course the Trophee Champion is Bordeaux this year, beating Lyon on PKs. They open up against Caen at home, and they will look to start well in anticipation of their Champions League campaign as well as hot favorites to give Lyon a run for their money. The problem with all of these games? They all are being played at the same time, so decisions decisions. My pick, Grenoble Sochaux, hey you can see PSG or Bordeaux play any day, but Grenobles first match in Ligue 1 in what seems like forever should not be missed.

And on Sunday we have Lyon vs. Tolouse at the Gerland. Since its the only match on Sunday, its a must see! But it will be interesting to see how Les Gones respond to the Trophee loss in what has been a rather disjointed preseason for them. Tolouse on the other hand will have to plow along without Elmander who moved to Bolton, and who will be hosting Arribage’s final season as a footballer, after a very long carrer with only Tolouse and Rennes. Have a good one Dominique!

Category: France Ligue 1

Tags: France Ligue 1

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