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  • Friday 1 October 2010

    Ligue 1 round 8 previews

    Arles v Auxerre
    Bordeaux v Lorient
    Monaco v Brest
    Nancy v Lyon
    Sochaux v Lens
    Valenciennes v Caen
    St Etienne v Marseille
    Lille v Montpellier
    PSG v Nice
    Rennes v Toulouse

    St Etienne assumed control of Ligue 1 for the first time in a generation last week with a win over their local rivals and former big dogs Lyon. This week, they take on the champions Marseille at the Geoffroy-Guichard. It's the late Saturday game and the house full signs are expected to be out well in advance of kick-off. Centre back Sylvain Marchal has been saying in the week that without the derby atmosphere surrounding this week's game, they'll be better focused. That ought to be a worry for the rest of the league as they were magnificent last week, none moreso than Dimitri Payet who is in a rich vein of form. Marseille were beaten in London in the Champions League in midweek, but emerged without any injury concerns, so Didier Deschamps has a full hand to pick from. Win this and maybe St Etienne could be considered title challengers. The late Sunday game sees third placed Toulouse going to second placed Rennes. Expect few goals. These two have conceded just seven between them so far this season - Toulouse three to Rennes four - but neither are either side prolific in front of goal. Rennes have yet to lose - only Lille can boast that record too - and a draw is the early favourite result here.

    Lille, whilst not having lost, have drawn five of their seven games so far. They welcome Montpellier this week in what looks sure to be another share of the spoils. The two sides without a win - Arles and Auxerre - go head-to-head in Avignon, so back another draw there. Monaco are the other draw specialists, so fans of the neutral outcome want to get themselves to the Stade Louis II for the visit of Brest who make the long trip from the north-west corner of the hexagon right down to the south-east. That's a 1500km journey. One way.

    Lyon look to get their season back on track with a trip to Nancy on the back of a win in the Champions League in Israel. They needed that and will fancy carrying it on here. Bordeaux are at home to Lorient who are no pushovers and you really, really should keep an eye on Kevin Gameiro. Sochaux are up and down and, having lost last week, will probably go and win this time out at home to struggling Lens. PSG and Caen are both going nicely at the moment and the former should beat Nice at home, though we don't reckon the odds on it passing off peaceably are very big, while Caen go to Valenciennes, again looking good for a win.

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