Ligue 1: Lille Aim to Relive Former Glories in Paris

Paris Saint-Germain vs Lille

Lille take the short trip to Paris on Friday night for the Ligue 1 match of the weekend as hot favourites Paris Saint-Germain take on the reigning champions.

There’s plenty to do in the French capital, the cultural and gastronomic hub of Europe, but the Parc des Princes will be packed to the rafters when the league leaders welcome the kings they are determined to dethrone.

Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG made a brilliant start to the campaign, winning the first eight games before suffering a slight stutter, and they sit seven points clear at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Lille are languishing in 10^th place, some 13 points adrift. Both teams come into the clash on the back of a draw, PSG away to Marseille while Lille shared the spoils at home to Brest.

The Ligue 1 2021 betting odds have Pochettino’s all-stars heavily odds on the reclaim the title, but Lille will be keen to relive past triumphs when they cross the white line on Friday night.

 

Talking Points

Paris Galacticos misfire in Marseille

Achraf Hakimi saw red in PSG’s 0-0 draw in Marseille after clattering into OM striker Cengiz Under, but even with 10 men the Parisiens had enough firepower to take all three points.

With a front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe you would expect to take virtually every defence in world football apart. But three of the finest strikers on the planet could not break down a resolute Marseille rearguard.

In fact, they lost the shot count by 15 to 10, but they did have more efforts on target than their hosts at four to one. It was a cagey affair with both teams protecting the ball fiercely, each with ball retention stats of over 88-per cent.

That PSG only created two clear cut chances in Marseille was disappointing for Pochettino and the draw meant they had picked up just four points from three games after winning the first eight.

Defeat away to Rennes was a major shock but it showed the way for other sides in Ligue 1 and OM played against the title favourites without fear.

But the Parisiens have a formidable lineup with the likes of Julian Draxler, Marco Verratti, and Gini Wijnaldum, while the arrival of Messi set the pulses racing in the French capital.

The Argentine genius was outstanding in PSG’s Champions League victory over Manchester City and his presence will only lift the club to greater heights.

Mbappe seemed unhappy during the close season amidst rumours of a move to Real Madrid, but the young France striker is top-scoring with six goals and is top assist maker with five.

Few teams can live with PSG, domestically and in Europe, and a slight stutter might serve to cause a backlash.

 

Jonathan David is Lille’s main man

After storming to the French title last season Lille’s Ligue 1 2021 results have been rather underwhelming and they could be in for a hiding on Friday night unless they find their best form.

Head coach Jocelyn Gourvennec has not had it all his own way since taking the helm at the club following the departure of Christophe Galtier for Nice.

The champions have won four, drawn three, and lost four of their opening 11 fixtures but they have a shining star who is banging in form.

Canadian striker Jonathan David has scored seven goals already while his Turkish partner Burak Yilmaz has three goals and two assists to his name.

Still only 21 years of age, David is already established as a dangerous forward. He scored 30 goals in 60 appearances for Belgian side Gent before moving to Lille for a fee of around 30-M Euros.

And in France, he has hit 20 goals in 48 appearances. Meanwhile, he has become his nation’s go-to hitman, scoring 17 goals in 22 games for Canada.

If Lille are to spring a surprise, it will be more than likely be David who pierces the Paris defence after having done so twice in his team’s recent 2-0 win over Marseille.

 

History

PSG have won twice as many of the head-to-head encounters as their visitors at 28 to 14, while there have been 15 draws in all meetings since 1993.

Lille have won two of the last four meetings, a 1-0 victory in the season curtain-raiser La Trophee des Champions, and a 1-0 win in the league in Paris last season while PSG won a Coupe de France Round of 16 clash by 3-0.

PSG have a 100-per cent record at home this season winning all five.

 

Betting Tip

	Paris Saint-Germain vs Lille	Paris Saint-Germain Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.88
	October 30, 03:00 (GMT+8)

PSG have designs on the Champions League this term, but Pochettino will also have his team fiercely focused on regaining their domestic crown and they will be well-primed to meet the current champions.

The hosts are at SBOTOP odds of 1.28 to win while the draw is at 4.84 and Lille at 8.92, and I think PSG will win this with a bit to spare.

For an alternative bet, 2-3 goals is available at odds of 2.01 and a 2-0 home win is at 6.18.

A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (Highly confident)	= €10 (CONFIDENT)	= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

 

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