The World Cup qualifiers handed two wins to France and a ticket to the playoffs in November. The feat was celebrated like a resounding success despite the overall weakness ofGroup 7. France will find out on Monday if they play Ukraine, Ireland, Slovakia or Bosnia Herzegovina…it could be 1993 all over again…
Lots of surprises in Ligue 1 last week, sometimes due to the heavy Champions League schedule for Bordeaux and Marseille.
Bordeaux suffered their first defeat while resting their starters and they are facing a rejuvenated Auxerre team that won away at Rennes. Chamakh (MOR) picked up an injury during International week but French international Yohann Gourcuff is back
Auxerre - Bordeaux 1 - 1
Only one point separate Le Mans and Boulogne in the basement of the table and the home team will fight for the 3 pts but Boulogne’s resilience never cease to impress.
Le Mans - Boulogne 1 - 1
US International Charlie Davies suffered a tragic car accident and will not be seen on the pitch for months. This is a very sad blow to US soccer considering Charlie’s admirable performances on French soil. Lyon is the only undefeated team in Ligue 1 and with the current form of Sydney Govou and Bafetimbi Gomis they should easily beat an average Sochaux side that reaped 3 points from troubled Le Mans a couple of weekends ago.
Lyon - Sochaux 3 - 0
St Etienne put a halt to Bordeaux’s invincibility but they will have a harder time at 2009’s high scoring Cinderella Montpellier, in a surprising 3rd place in the league.
Montpellier - St Etienne 2 - 1
After it home defeat against Monaco, OM is full of doubts and Didier Deschamps is unable to build the team that was destined to Ligue 1 greatness. Of course there are injuries, a busy schedule, many new players and Lucho Gonzalez hasn’t quite adapted to Ligue 1 yet. Leading scorer Niang (SEN) is uncertain. OM has to win at Nancy to avoid an impending “crisis”.
Nancy - Marseille 1 - 1
Grenoble, France’s prime weekend away vacation spot for Ligue 1 teams will receive Valenciennes this week. It barely matters how VA is doing this year as Grenoble has scored zero points in 10 games
Valenciennes - Grenoble 3 - 1
Lille and striker Pierre-Alain Frau seem unstoppable these days and it would be good to see the Dogues back fighting for a European spot. They receive a Rennes team on a unlucky losing streak. This is an important game for both teams but Lille will get the upper hand.
Lille - Rennes 2 - 1
Lorient is occupying a 6th spot where you’d expect Nice this year . The Aiglons won from a two goal deficit 2 weekends ago so there is hope. But not away at Lorient, especially when Christian Gourcuff feels this team could get a taste of Europe this year.
Lorient - Nice 1 - 0
Monaco had a terrific win at Marseille thanks to Korean wonder Chu Young Park and Brazilian striker Nene. They will easily defeat a mediocre Lens side and position themselves to challenge. Disappointing Gudjohnsen is out for 3 weeks.
Monaco - Lens 3 - 1
This match will see last year’s best strikers face each other and although Gignac scored three times in his two recent world cup qualifiers he’s been struggling at club level. PSG had yet another draw two weeks ago and seems to lack the firepower of Turkish striker Erding despite the current form of Ludovic Giuly. Things could get complicated for the Parisians.
Toulouse - PSG 2 - 1
TABLE:
1 - Lyon 20 pts
2 - Bordeaux 19 pts
3 - Montpellier
4 - Monaco
5 - Marseille
18 - Nice 8 pts
19 - Le Mans 7 pts
20 - Grenoble 0 pts
The Frenchman!
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