Ligue 1 04/12/21: PSG await RC Lens test, Marseille host Brest
Things are coming to the boil nicely in Ligue 1, well at least as far as the top four race is concerned, especially as Nice slipped up to Metz. We will look ahead to two weekend games – RC Lens v Paris Saint-Germain, and Marseille v Brest. In this preview, we will also check in on the latest match odds.
Lionel Messi claims hat-trick of assists as Paris Saint-Germain romp to win over St Etienne
We are still waiting for Lionel Messi to explode in front of a goal for PSG. However, he is continuing to make his presence felt in other ways. PSG saw off 10-man St Etienne 3-1, and while Messi didn’t get on the scoresheet, he linked up well in the Arctic conditions, and he supplied a hat-trick of assists.
PSG carved out chance after chance, and they will take some stopping. Currently, Mauricio Pochettino’s men are 12 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after 15 games. However, before taking on RC Lens, they host Nice in a mouthwatering midweek game.
Paris Saint-Germain’s win over St Etienne marred by Neymar injury
While PSG cruised to victory over St Etienne last weekend, the victory was marred by Neymar’s injury. The Brazilian sustained ankle ligament damage, and he was stretchered off in agony. Neymar – who has missed 50 games since joining PSG over four years ago – is set to spend up to eight weeks on the sidelines.
Lionel Messi walks away with the Ballon d’Or prize again
Messi has become synonymous with the Ballon d’Or. The diminutive Argentine walked away with the glittering individual accolade for the seventh time. However, it may have been a bone of contention considering the season Robert Lewandowski had for Bayern Munich.
RC Lens searching for consistency after a recent wobble
Lens are well placed to mount a tilt at the top four. As things stand, they sit in fifth spot, just a point behind Marseille who occupy fourth position, But Lens need to be more consistent. In November, they won only one of their four Ligue 1 outings, and if they aren’t careful, they could be picked apart by PSG.
Marseille show they can win ugly too
With PSG looking like they are going to canter to the title this season, it could well be an almighty tussle for second. Currently, there are three points separating four teams, and Marseille are in the mix to finish runners-up. And last weekend, Marseille proved they can combine brawn with flair.
Against struggling Troyes, Marseille took time to get going. The match was played behind closed doors, and they needed a Pol Lirola goal to eke past Troyes. The victory was priceless, and it was only their second victory in their past five Ligue 1 outings.
Whereas Brest appear to be one of the in-form teams in Ligue 1. Although they are 12th in the table, Brest have won their past four league matches on the trot. Jeremy Le Douaron has been in a rich vein of form, netting three times in his previous two outings.
Marseille v Brest: A tale of the tape
The head-to-head record can often be a good gauge of how matches may unfold. While this fixture has provided plenty of goals, Marseille will fancy their chances of clinching victory. Last season, Marseille ran out 3-1 winners, as Arkadiusz Milik, Florian Thauvin, and Mickael Cuisance got on the scoresheet that day.
Brest, however, have shown of late that they are no pushovers, and they will be eager to burst Marseille’s bubble. As mentioned, Le Douaron looks like he will be a handful, and if they don’t contain him, then Marseille could well drop points.
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