Ligue 1: PSG and Clermont face off as Marseille take on Monaco

Ligue 1: Paris Saint-Germain and Clermont face off while Marseille take on resurgent Monaco

Ligue 1 will be hoping to return with a bang this weekend after the French top-flight division shut down for two weeks due to the international break. We have some fabulous matches in store on Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain hosts high-flying Clermont, while Monaco collides with Marseille. We will also have a cursory glance at the latest match odds.

Lionel Messi makes long-awaited debut for Paris Saint-Germain

Lionel Messi will be hoping to make his full debut for PSG this weekend against Clermont. After his introduction as a 66th-minute substitute in PSG’s 2-0 win against Reims at the end of last month, Messi received a standing ovation as he entered the pitch.

Although Kylian Mbappe grabbed the headlines with a two-goal salvo, Messi showed some promising signs after replacing Neymar. Entering the fray moments after the second goal, Messi produced some great touches, and he induced some fouls too. His energy seeped through into the team, and he also brought a sense of calmness.

• Paris Saint-Germain to beat Clermont @11/50 with Casumo
• Kylian Mbappe to score anytime for Paris Saint-Germain @8/13 with Casumo

Messi’s first PSG appearance:

⏱️ Time: 24 mins
➡️ Passes complete: 19/20

Most fouled player on the pitch (3) pic.twitter.com/tJ29cNCKpY

— Casumo Sports (@CasumoSports) August 30, 2021

Kylian Mbappe puts Real Madrid rumours to back of his mind with polished performance

Although he started the campaign slowly, Mbappe looks back to his best. You could have forgiven him for being distracted by the Real Madrid saga, which went all the way down to deadline day in the transfer window last month. But PSG rejected a £171 million offer, and Mbappe just wants to do his talking on the pitch.

PSG adamant they won’t deviate away from attacking philosophy

The numbers so far speak volumes about the way PSG have performed this season. After four matches, they have rattled home 12 goals and conceded just five times. Although they can be open at the back, they are fearsome going forward. Ander Herrera has suggested PSG won’t deviate away from their attacking philosophy, and you can see where he is coming from!

Clermont happy to put the hard yards in

While PSG boasts natural attacking flair, Clermont have shown they are happy to do the dirty work, and they are one of Ligue 1’s most industrious teams. Indeed, in the opening round of fixtures, Johan Gastien covered virtually every blade of grass as he clocked up nearly 13 km against Bordeaux. Meanwhile, Akim Zedadka made the most number of high-intensity sprints (97) against Bordeaux.

Monaco looking rejuvenated as they climb Ligue 1 table

The early signs were worrying for Monaco. After drawing one, and losing two of their opening three games this campaign, Monaco got things back on track just before the international break with a 2-1 win over Troyes. For a side of Monaco’s pedigree, who finished third in France’s top-flight last season, they have to go back to basics.

Nevertheless, they produced a more fluid brand of football against Troyes, and they are a side on the way up. Currently, they are 14th in the table with four points to their name, but they are a side who are clearly in transition and need time to improve.

• Monaco to beat Marseille @EVENS with Casumo
• Both Teams to Score @4/6 with Casumo

Marseille, meanwhile, are fifth in the Ligue 1 table, and they are a side that have looked comfortable this season. However, they still have a game in hand over their rivals after their match last month against Nice was abandoned following a fight that broke out in the ground.

Monaco v Marseille: a look back on past matches

Monaco’s encounters with Marseille have always thrown up plenty of goals, but at home, they have a formidable record against Marseille. Indeed, at the Stade Louis II, Monaco have won both their clashes over the past couple of seasons at home against Marseille.

Last season, they ran out 3-1 winners, with Guillermo Maripan, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Stevan Jovetic grabbing the goals. And the season before that, they claimed a 2-1 victory. Monaco can catch fire, and they will be hoping to do so on Saturday evening.

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