French football 2-5 March

[rcgills]

Ligue 1

03 Mar 16:10 St Etienne v Lyon 2.87 3.00 2.50
03 Mar 19:00 Auxerre v Rennes 2.20 2.87 3.25
03 Mar 19:00 Lille v Troyes 1.61 3.40 6.00
03 Mar 19:00 Lorient v Nice 2.25 3.00 3.00
03 Mar 19:00 Monaco v Bordeaux 2.20 2.87 3.60
03 Mar 19:00 Nancy v Le Mans 2.10 2.87 3.40
03 Mar 19:00 Sedan v PSG 3.00 2.87 2.50
03 Mar 19:00 Valenciennes v Toulouse 2.40 2.87 3.20
04 Mar 17:00 Sochaux v Nantes 1.90 3.00 4.50
04 Mar 20:00 Marseille v Lens 2.20 2.87 3.60

Ligue 2

02 Mar 19:00 AC Ajaccio v Grenoble 2.10 2.87 3.30
02 Mar 19:00 Amiens v Istres 1.55 3.25 5.75
02 Mar 19:00 Chateauroux v Libourne 1.75 3.10 4.50
02 Mar 19:00 Creteil v Brest 2.05 2.75 3.60
02 Mar 19:00 Dijon v Gueugnon 1.90 2.90 4.00
02 Mar 19:00 Guingamp v Reims 2.00 2.87 3.60
02 Mar 19:00 Montpellier v Metz 3.40 2.87 2.05
02 Mar 19:00 Niort v Bastia 2.75 2.75 2.50
02 Mar 19:30 Le Havre v Strasbourg 2.05 2.80 4.20
05 Mar 19:30 Tours v Caen 3.50 2.87 2.05

Odds from Bet365

[kompressaur]

La Champignon

-------Last 8---------------v Top half-----------v bottom half----

[rcgills]

Quite like the look of Guingamp to beat Reims tonight. Guingamp have won their last 2 games to pull themselves out of the relegation zone, and face a Reims side with just 1 away win all season (1-4-7, just 9 goals scored). Reims ended a run of 3 straight defeats last weekend with a 4-1 win at home to Ajaccio, but it seems that was a flattering scoreline for them.

Guingamp will be without Eduardo and Suarez through injury, but Suarez has missed most of the season, and Eduardo is a new signing who's also missed the last couple of games. They'll also be without the suspended Riviere. Bit of a blow as he's their top scorer, however, Meslin (2 goals in 3 games since signing last month, to go with 6 goals in 13 games for Bastia this season) should return for them after missing the last game against Brest. There are doubts over Legueun, Racon and Truchet, all carrying knocks, but one of the local papers lists them all as being in the squad.

Reims will be without Didot, Jeannel, Burle, Lundblad, Yéhoumé and Rigaud through injury. Of those, the first three are regular first-teamers when fit, the other 3 aren't.

Guingamp in my opinion have been in a false position this season, they really shouldn't be in a relegation battle, and they've finally managed to pull themselves out of the bottom 3. They're only 1 point above the drop zone though, and with very tricky away games at Caen and Metz coming up this month, they'll need all the points they can get. Reims are 12pts off the promotion places and 13pts clear of the bottom 3 with 12 games to go, you'd have to think their season is pretty much over.

Guingamp v Reims @ 2.2 (minus commission) 4pts

[rcgills]

Was considering Guegnon to get something from Dijon tonight. Dijon have just 1 win in their last 9, and that was 1-0 at home to Istres, one of the worst away sides in the division.

Dijon have had a suspension against defender Vosahlo overturned by the French FA, but will be without another important defender in Tacalfred (23 played). When asked why, the coach replied "No comment", so it seems there may be some internal issue there. They'll also be without midfielder Linares (22 played) and Magallanes (new signing last month), but first-teamers Ba and Masson have recovered from injury and return to the squad.

Guegnon have doubts over Adam (M, 21 played) and Correia (D, 13 played), but they're both named in the squad and a decision will be left until the last minute. Their only other problems are with long-term injuries.

Guegnon's away record isn't great, 3-3-6, and their H2H v Dijon isn't good either, but with Dijon's current form, I'd still give them a decent chance. Will think on this one a bit longer first though.

[darebt]

Le Havre - Strasbourg
French league 2
Kickoff 20.30
Pick - Le Havre (0)
Odds: 1.50
Bookmaker: Sportingbet
Stake: 5

4th placed Le Havre is hosting 3rd placed Strasbourg today. The difference in points between these two teams is 3, so a victory for the home team will swap their places on the table, and far more important will place Le Havre much much closer to the promotion battle. Le Havre is in-form team with having 6 wins 2 draws and 2 losses from the last 10 matches. However, they did make a slip-up in the last round when they lost from Grenoble. Le Havre have been very convincing at home beating lots of opponents no matter whether into the upper or into the lower part of the table. In fact, they have won 4 of their last home matches. Strasbourg hasnt won away from home since 27.10.2006 0 - 1 victory against Guegnon. But they arent that weak as it looks with this fact. Actually, they have only 3 losses from 12 away matches but 7 have finished draw. Thats why i have chosen the far more safer option. The game in the first part of the season finished 1:1. Previously they have played in 2002/03 but both as 1st league clubs. All in all, i expect tight game with possible under 2,5 coming but this option Le Havre DNB looks like decent one

Good Luck...

[kompressaur]

2 nice posts there chaps. At this rate i'm gonna have to put all the best weekly posts from The Daily Punt and put them on a feed and let the net enjoy the read.

Good luck tonight. Anyone else got a french fancy?

Lyon, who have been struggling since the beginning of the year with eight points from seven matches, lead the table on 58 points with 12 games remaining.

The only doubt is Portugal midfielder Tiago who has a sore back but Gerard Houllier will be able to count on France winger Wiltord, a proven match-winner.

'Nino', back from a 10-week injury layoff, scored on 90 minutes and earned a decisive penalty in stoppage time as Lyon fought back for a 3-3 draw against Sochaux last weekend.

St Etienne will need to clinch their first home win of the year if they are to end a 13-year winless streak against Lyon at their Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

Les Verts, fifth on 39 points, have lost their last three home games against Monaco, Sedan and Stade Rennes while Lyon are the most efficient team away from their turf this season with 10 victories and three defeats.

"St Etienne are having a good season. They have had a string of poor results lately but their win in Paris proved they were full of qualities," Lyon assistant coach Patrice Bergues told the club's Web site.

"But they seem to have some problems on home turf. We will have to try to take advantage of this," he added.

Later on Saturday, third-placed Toulouse, who thrashed Marseille 3-0 last weekend, visit relegation candidates Valenciennes who will be without coach Antoine Kombouare.

He has been suspended for three matches by the French Professional League for insulting Nice counterpart Frederic Antonetti in a league match last month.

Lille, who are also contesting the Champions League places, will host lowly Troyes without defender Nicolas Plestan and forward Nicolas Fauvergue as both are suspended.

At the foot of the table, troubled Paris St Germain will visit bottom club Sedan without Argentine playmaker Marcelo Gallardo, who has a sore knee.

from Eurosport (to be hotlinked)

[kompressaur]

League leaders Lyon must travel the short distance west to Saint-Etienne as they look to go 16 points clear at the top of the table. Second-placed Lens play Marseille on Sunday evening and so, come the end of Saturday, Gérard Houllier's men could have an almost unassailable advantage.

It will be up to 'Les Verts' therefore to break a record which stretches back 13 years and has seen them unable to beat Lyon at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. Indeed, a last-minute defeat for Ivan Hasek's team on Matchday 9 at the Stade Gerland thanks to a Juninho penalty has added to the intrigue surrounding Saturday's match.


Expected to rest players with the UEFA Champions League match against Roma in mind Lyon welcome back Karim Benzema and Sylvain Wiltord, both who played in last weekend's 3-3 draw with Sochaux. The performance of Wiltord particularly, who scored an important goal and earned a penalty as Lyon staged a comeback from 3-1 down, will have pleased Houllier and the former Arsenal player looks certain to continue his own personal comeback by playing a part against 'Les Verts'. Alou Diarra, another injury concern, could make his return to the squad for the game after resuming full training this week.


Hosts Saint-Etienne ended a five league game winless streak last weekend with their debut victory over PSG at the Parc des Princes. Damien Perquis opened the scoring before Brazilian Ilan scored what many consider to be the best goal of the season so far with a technically superb bicycle-kick.


However, after the elation of last weekend, they will have to attempt to register their second consecutive win without several important players. Midfielders Geoffroy Dernis (hamstring), Loïc Perrin (calf), Pascal Feindouno (ankle) and Christophe Landrin (ankle) are all out. For teh players that do play they can expect an atmosphere that will rival the famous PSG/Marseille encounters.

frenchleague.com

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by rcgills

Was considering Guegnon to get something from Dijon tonight. Dijon have just 1 win in their last 9, and that was 1-0 at home to Istres, one of the worst away sides in the division.

Dijon have had a suspension against defender Vosahlo overturned by the French FA, but will be without another important defender in Tacalfred (23 played). When asked why, the coach replied "No comment", so it seems there may be some internal issue there. They'll also be without midfielder Linares (22 played) and Magallanes (new signing last month), but first-teamers Ba and Masson have recovered from injury and return to the squad.

Guegnon have doubts over Adam (M, 21 played) and Correia (D, 13 played), but they're both named in the squad and a decision will be left until the last minute. Their only other problems are with long-term injuries.

Guegnon's away record isn't great, 3-3-6, and their H2H v Dijon isn't good either, but with Dijon's current form, I'd still give them a decent chance. Will think on this one a bit longer first though.

Decided to go for it, 2pts on Guegnon

Dijon v Guegnon @ 3.8 2pts

[loko_buferche]

Hm.... I see one pretty good home win for Nancy against Le Mans... What will you say for this? Nancy were one of the best hosts in France but they' re having a bad series of poor results... They've taken on a new coach and the hopes for Europian tournaments are still alive... Nancy really know how to play tacticly, not attractive. They won good draw against Lens before a week... Now visitors are Le Mans, club without any claims... Also the hosts don't have any engagements with other tournaments... I think that the perfect host-team in them will blow up tomorrow and the footballers will make happy their new coach with first win for him...


I also will try home win for St. Etienne aganst the champions Lyon.. The visitors are in bad series in France and they'll think only about the crash with Roma in the middle of the week.. St.Ettien has very bad tradiotion in this derby, the haven't got any win since 1994... But now, with Ilan, Gomis and Feinduno in attack they should take out the third points from Lyon... Also the press is speaking that the visitors will choose the second team, they are now champions again and even one lose tomorrow can't worry them...




Wich draw match sould I choose:

Lorient vs. Nice or Valenciennes vs. Toulouse??? Help me, please!

[Towers]

I fancy Monaco to beat Bordeaux. Monaco are getting better and better and when Centrebet give me 2,25 for a homewin, I say thank you very much, Sir...

[kompressaur]

Howsdo Towers good to see you.

Ligue 1 - 03/03/2007

Marseille v Lens – Sunday’s Big Match Preview

Marseille host Lens with the home side needing points following a disappointing February and the visitors keen to put their French Cup upset behind them.

Marseille v Lens Ligue 1, Matchday 27 Sunday March 4, 2007 Kick-Off: 21:00 (CET) Stade Vélodrome Struggling Marseille host second-placed Lens at the Stade Vélodrome in the final game of Matchday 27 hoping for a first league win in over a month. L’OM have failed to score in their last three league outings and despite making the semi-finals of the French Cup last week with a comprehensive win over Vannes, Albert Emon’s team will know that they have to start producing the goods on the league stage if they are to be considered for a place in European competition at the end of the season. Last weekend’s 3-0 loss away to Toulouse was their heaviest defeat of the year so far and, having slipped down six places to eighth since the end of January, Marseille are aware that a Lens win will see the gap between the two teams grow from seven points to ten. However, a home win would elevate them to within four points and an exciting run-in. They will have to try to do so however without Franck Ribéry who has been sidelined for up to three weeks after fracturing a metatarsal in his right foot against Toulouse. Nigerian midfielder Wilson Oruma will also miss the game after undergoing surgery on a torn calf muscle. By contrast, Lens coach Francis Gillot has no injury or suspension worries. After drawing their last two matches though, Gillot will be concerned at his team’s lack of killer instinct. Indeed, a mid-week loss to amateurs Montceau in the French Cup has taken some of the shine off their overall progress this season. ‘Les Sang et Or’ rested such players as Eric Carrière, Hilton and Yohan Demont and ultimately paid the price. However, they are unlikely to do the same thing twice and know that they must put that surprising defeat behind them by beating Marseille. Through to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup where they will face Bayer Leverkusen, Lens still have hope of European silverware but if they are to secure continental competition next year then must start by finishing teams off in Ligue 1. The first game between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw after penalties from Mamadou Niang and Aruna Dindane.

eurosport

[kompressaur]

some reports from today's games
http://www.thedailypunt.com/forum/sh...01&postcount=2

[kompressaur]

Ligue 1 - 03/03/2007
Sochaux v Nantes - Sunday’s Big Match Preview
Nantes travel east hoping to regsiter their first win in eight league games while Sochaux will be looking to climb to third above fellow season surprises Toulouse in Sunday's first Ligue 1 game.

Sochaux v Nantes
Ligue 1, Matchday 27
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Kick-Off: 18:00 (CET)
Stade Bonal

A 3-3 draw with Lyon last weekend saw Sochaux continue their resurgence with a second non-defeat. Alain Perrin's men had failed to win a match since the turn of the year until the visit of Le Mans to the Stade Bonal on Matchday 25. Then, a 2-0 win elevated them, despite their lack of form, up to fourth, a position which they held on to with their draw with Lyon last Saturday.


A reason for their revival has been the return of Moumouni Dagano and the form of new signing Sébastien Grax from Monaco. Unfortunately, they threw away a two goal lead at the Stade Gerland in the last two minutes as Lyon showed their title credentials with goals from Wiltord and Juninho. However, that disappointment was soon erased with a 2-1 win over PSG in the French Cup mid-week. Goals from Mickaël Isabey and Dagano ensured a semi-final appearance and they will welcome relegation candidates Nantes, a team who have won only once away from home all season.


Perrin will have to do without the services of Senegal captain Omar Daf who is out due to a shin injury as well as 20 year-old striker Julien Quercia and midfielder Badara Sène.


Nantes, whose away form has seen them struggle all season, currently occupy 19th place with two consecutive draws having recently raised spirits if not their actual league position. Their last victory came on Matchday 20 in January against Nice and although the new managerial duo of Michel Der Zakarian and Japhet N'Doram have steadied the ship in recent games they need to start converting draws into wins if they are to avoid slipping into Ligue 2 at the end of the season.


Tuesday evening's penalty shoot-out win over Sedan in the French Cup quarter-final after a 1-1 draw will have provided some valuable confidence but a third game in a week will test their energy levels.


Midfielders Alioum Saïdou and Emerse Faé who both returned to action last weekend are available for the visit east while Kévin Das Neves and Mauro Cetto, who were both missing due to suspension are available again. However, defenders Nicolas Savinaud (hamstring), Eric Cubilier (ankle) and Franck Signorino (abdomen) are all out along with Dmitri Payet who will serve the second match of a three game ban

eurosport

[kompressaur]

March 3
FT	Saint-Etienne	1 - 3	Lyon
FT	Auxerre	1 - 0	Rennes
FT	Lille	4 - 0	Troyes
FT	Lorient	0 - 0	Nice
FT	Monaco	0 - 0	Bordeaux
FT	Nancy	1 - 1	Le Mans
FT	Sedan	2 - 0	Paris S.G.
FT	Valenciennes	0 - 0	Toulouse
	March 4
FT	Sochaux	1 - 2	Nantes
FT	Marseille	0 - 1	Lens
France - Ligue 2
	March 2
FT	Ajaccio	3 - 1	Grenoble
FT	Amiens	2 - 1	Istres
FT	Chateauroux	0 - 1	Libourne St. Seurin
FT	Creteil	0 - 2	Brest
FT	Dijon	1 - 0	Gueugnon
FT	Guingamp	1 - 0	Reims
FT	Montpellier	1 - 1	Metz
FT	Niort	0 - 0	Bastia
FT	Le Havre	0 - 1	Strasbourg

[rcgills]

Caen 3rd at the moment but can move 2nd tonight if they beat bottom of the league Tours. Caen's away form not amazing, 3-6-3, but Tours are pretty poor at home, 4-4-4. Caen are without 2 players, defender Thiam (20 played) and striker Mazure (18 played, 4 goals). Tours are without 4 players - GK Raimbault (17 played, but has been missing for quite a while now), defender Rodriguez (20 played, 1 goal), and midfielders Diop (10 played, 2 goals) and Mandanne (24 played, and top scorer with 6).

Caen 3rd in the form table, 5-3-2 for their last 10. Tours 17th, 2-3-5.

Can't see anything other than an away win in this one really.

Tours v Caen @ 2.1 4pts