Derby days in Ligue 1: what to watch this weekend
It's another derby-dominated weekend in Ligue 1 McDonald's with Nantes facing Brest and Monaco hosting OGC Nice in the Côte d'Azur derby. We take you through some of the storylines to follow during the upcoming gameweek.
Lyon look to extend record
Lyon go into their game against Toulouse on Sunday looking to extend an astonishing record. Not only do they have the best record in Ligue 1 McDonald's, having conceded just three goals in their opening six games, but they are also yet to concede all season with XI men on the pitch. That record stretches to all competitions, with OL currently registering two wins in the Europa League without conceding.
All three of the goals conceded by Lyon this season came in the final stages of a 3-1 defeat to Rennes, after Tyler Morton had seen red. The question going into this game is, how long can this record go on? Paulo Fonseca, firstly at Lille and now at OL has garnered a reputation for being an organiser of defences, and under his tutelage, the likes of Moussa Niakhaté and Clinton Mata have made strides forward. Le TéFéCé could certainly have their work cut out this weekend.
Castro v Roy in the Breton derby
There is no shortage of Breton sides in Ligue 1 McDonald's this season, with Brest, Lorient, Nantes, and Rennes all in the top-flight. It is Les Ty-Zéfs who will welcome Nantes to the Stade Francis Le Blé on Saturday.
Brest will be looking to continue their fine run of form. Prior to their win over Nice a fortnight ago, they had yet to register their first win. However, Eric Roy's side have now hit a rich vein of form, scoring six goals in their last two games, and conceding just once. Their win last time out came against Angers, and it is a win that has seen them leapfrog Nantes in the table, ahead of their meeting.
Roy's side have a strong record in this game in recent times, and are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions against Les Canaris. However, Luís Castro's side aren't in bad form either, having drawn their last two, against Toulouse and Rennes, by the same 2-2 scoreline.
PSG look to retain top spot
After a comeback win over Barcelona in midweek, PSG will look to carry that form back into Ligue 1 McDonald's when they face Lille. Currently top of Ligue 1 McDonald's, but above Lyon only on goal difference, there could be some returning faces for Luis Enrique's side this weekend.
Joao Neves could be back for the encounter, whilst Fabián Ruiz was involved against Barcelona in midweek. After coming off against Auxerre last weekend, Vitinha is fit, too, and so the midfield could once again have a very familiar feel.
However, there could still be space for some of the Titis in the line-up, with absences still up top. After his goal in the Champions League, Senny Mayulu will be looking to retain his place, as will Ibrahim Mbaye.
Monaco and Nice in search of a win
At the Stade Louis II, Monaco will host Nice in the Derby de la Côte d'Azur. Whilst buoyed by their draw against Manchester City in midweek, Monaco are looking to return to winning ways in Ligue 1 McDonald's having lost to Lorient last time out. For the encounter, Adi Hutter remains without his midfield generals, however, he will have been enthused by the performance of Mamadou Coulibaly in midweek.
Nice are arguably more in need of a win than their local rivals. Having drawn to Paris FC last time out in Ligue 1 McDonald's, they lost to Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday. With just two wins in their opening 10 matches in all competitions, there is an urgent need for results to steer their campaign back on track.
Marseille v Metz: a potential banana skin?
Roberto De Zerbi was acutely aware of slipping up against Strasbourg, having beaten PSG in the Classique just days earlier. He was right to be cautious, but his side got the job done at the Meinau, even if they did leave it late.
However, this game against Metz is perhaps an even truer test of Marseille's resolve. OM's recent record against Les Grenats isn't great. In the 2023-24 season, they failed to beat Metz, registering two draws. In fact, six of the last seven games between this pair have ended in draws. If Marseille have a bogey team, it is surely Metz.
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