Olympique Marseille AS Monaco 01.09.2013

Monaco make the journey to the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday where they will play an Olympique Marseille side that sees themselves at the top of the Ligue 1 table after taking all nine points from their opening three Ligue 1 matches. AS Monaco aren’t far behind in second place after winning their opening two matches before drawing 0-0 to Toulouse last Friday.

 

Marseille’s chances against newly promoted Monaco will be boosted with the arrivals of right wing Dimitri Payet from OSC Lille and Giannelli Imbula from EA Guingamp. However, Marseille’s summer transfer business has nothing on that of Monaco who, after a group led by Russian Billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev purchased a two-third share of the club in December 2011, signed Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid for £53m, and winger James Rodriguez and midfielder Joao Moutinho from Porto for £40m and £22m respectively.

 

Despite Monaco’s big bucks and their subsequent spending, we believe Marseille will win on Sunday

 

match live here

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Paris Saint-Germain v AC Ajaccio 18.08.2013 Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain v AC Ajaccio
Football : French : Ligue 1
Sunday 18th August - Kickoff 8:00pm

 

Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) failed to beat 10 men Montpellier last weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw. The champions can put that right this weekend as they close the round 2 weekend fixtures as they host Ajaccio at the Parc des Princes.

Blanc has further strengthened his already excellent squad by adding Cavani and Marquinho for a combined £82m! With Verratti, Lavezzi, Thaigo Silva, Ibrahimovic and van der Wiel all signing last season this team will take some beating in Ligue 1.

Despite drawing last weekend PSG had 70% possession on their travels but conceding a goal with Montpelier's only shot on target was frustrating.

Team news is that Menez and Thiago Motta miss out but with such a big squad there's plenty of cover. Cavani started on the bench last week but he's likely to replace Lavezzi and partner Ibrahimovic in a fearsome front 2.

 

AC Ajaccio

 

Ajaccio lost their home opening last weekend to leave them in 14th place ahead of the most daunting fixture on their calender away to PSG.

Juventus legend Ravanelli may be an inexperienced manager but he will know Blanc's side give his connections with fellow Italian and ex-manager Ancelotti. Whether that's good enough to avoid defeat remains to be seen as there is a huge gulf in class between the 2 sides.

The visitors bought in 7 players in the Summer with 5 going the other way all for no fee and this team is likely to be in the relegation mix all season.

In the 0-1 loss to Saint Etienne Andre got himself sent off in the closing stages and he misses out in this game. Just 7 shots at home with 1 on target is worrying for Ravenelli's side and as ever the dependence on the declining Mutu for goals is forever growing.

 

match live here

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BORDEAUX v MONACO 10.08.2013 Ligue 01

BORDEAUX v MONACO
Football : France : Ligue 1
Saturday, 10th August 2013 - Kickoff 8:00pm GMT

 

I had a lot of success backing Falcao the last 2 seasons in Spain, and with his move to Monaco I'm going to follow too. Monaco are back up in Ligue 1 and they have invested heavily, which I think will translate to some high scoring games, starting with this one.

Monaco have assembled a strikeforce at a cost of almost £130m, with Moutinho and Rodriguez the other big names along with Falcao. But, the defence has not been strengthened as well as the attack, which means Bordeaux have more than a great chance at hammering them back.

Remember, Bordeaux won the cup last season, with some excellent play from Diabate, who scored the winner. Indeed, he went on quite a run, scoring 10 in his last 9 to end the season.

At home, Bordeaux are rare losers, so I feel both sides will attack and there is a good chance it could end in a draw, but not a boring stalemate.

match live here

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