Ligue 1 Round 15 - Friday and Saturday games

Lens V Angers - Kicks off at 20:00 Friday 26 November

What on earth happened to Lens last week? They went from their best performance and result of the season (beating Troyes 4-0) to their worst, being beaten 4-0 against a Brest team that have struggled until recently. Lens had only been beaten three times in twelve games prior to this match and never by more than one goal. Les Sangs est Ors were without forwards Wesley Saïd (4 goals) and Florian Sotoca (2 goals 2 assists) and I was surprised to see the in form Arnaud Kalimuendo on the bench. However they still had a strong starting eleven. Although his team had more of the possession and created as many chances as their Breton opponents, Franck Haise will not be happy about the way they conceded.The defending throughout the game was poor from Lens and the visitors were three up by half time. In the second half Les Lensois were caught out by their own high press several times. Jean-Louis Leca made a good save to stifle one such counter attack. He could do nothing in similar circumstances shortly after to stop the score becoming 4-0. Seko Fofana came closest to scoring for Lens but his shot just clipped the post. Fofana has been brilliant all season and is rumoured to be interesting Newcastle.

The Geordie club could certainly afford him since recently being taken over by Saudi billionaires. Lens would be mad to let him go in January as they have a real chance of qualifying for Europe this season. A thoroughly miserable afternoon was topped off by Arnaud Kalimuendo being sent off for a two footed challenge on 74 minutes. The young striker has been on form of late but had only been on the pitch for 13 minutes. He’ll now be suspended for this game. Having Florian Sotoca back for this game will be a boost but Wesley Saïd is still injured.

Angers got their first win in five games last time out. In a tight game at home to Lorient Les Scoistes won 1-0 through a Thomas Mangani penalty. The penalty came after winger Jimmy Cabot was fouled on 68 minutes. Mangani made no mistake with the spot kick for his fourth goal of the season. The Captain leads by example from central midfield, is a good passer of the ball and has played in all 14 games this season.

The 34 year old seems to be one of many players particularly enjoying their football since Gérald Baticle took over in the summer. At this stage last season Les Scoistes were in 8th place with 23 points. They‘d get no higher for the rest of that campaign finishing 13th but only four points above the relegation places. They currently lie 6th in the table actually with two points less than the same point last season but looking in much better shape. Another point here would be a great result. Regular goalkeeper Paul Bernardino will miss his third match in a row due to sickness. Montenegrin Danijel Petković will continue between the sticks where he has done well in the past two games. French Footy prediction: Lens 2 V Angers 1

Lille V Nantes - Kicks off at 16:00 Saturday 27

Lille picked up a point at Monaco last week which isn’t a bad result. Jocelyn Gourvennec must be seething however that his side once again through away a lead. Les Dogues were two goals up with both goals coming from top scorer Jonathan David. That’s the sixth time Lille have dropped points from a winning position this season. David’s first goal came from the penalty spot after Xeka had been fouled in the area. The second came after centre half Tiago Djaló brought the ball out nicely from the back and played a lovely ball for David to run on to. The Canadian showed strength and composure to finish well. David nearly had a hat trick but his shot was closed down by the Monaco keeper. Lille would rue that miss as Monaco pulled one back then despite having a man sent off equalised on 83 minutes. Goalkeeper Ivo Grbić should have done better at his near post to keep his team level. Whilst their league form is inconsistent Les Lillois are doing well in Europe. They beat Salzburg 1-0 on Tuesday night and now top their Champions League group with one game to play. In a game of few chances it was Jonathan David yet again who scored. That is twelve goals in all competitions for the Canadian striker.

Lille could do with a few other players weighing in with a few goals to help David out. They could also do with a win here and have to go for it at home. They have no new injuries or suspensions to worry about for this game.

Nantes lost 3-1 at Les Parc Des Princes last week and now have just one win in five games. There’s no shame in losing to PSG and Les Canaris did make a game of it in the second half. Randal Kolo Muani equalised on 76 minutes for his second goal in as many games and his fourth of the season.

The six foot 1, 22 year old striker is a handful for defences but his goal wasn’t enough for Nantes to get anything from the game. With the equaliser coming shortly after Paris had had their Goalkeeper sent off, Nantes really should have gone for the win. They let Paris have far too much space though and conceded twice in the last ten minutes. Given the circumstances they really should have got a result. Antoine kombouaré will be pleased that winger Moses Simon returns from the injury that kept him out against PSG. The Nigerian has just one goal but six assists this season. Centre back and Captain Nicolas Pallois should also be available after injury.

French Footy prediction: Lille 2 V Nantes 1

Nice V Metz - Kicks off at 20:00 Saturday 27 November

Nice got an expected but important win at Clermont last week. Their form had fluctuated over the previous five games with two wins, one draw and two losses. Les Aiglons need to get back to back wins to keep themselves in the hunt for the Champions League place behind PSG. Nice, Marseille and Lens were looking like the team’s most likely to push PSG for the title. However they keep dropping points unexpectedly whilst the Parisians keep winning. Christophe Galtier’s team will be clear favourites for this one as their home form is good and Metz are struggling. At Clermont Les Nicois found themselves behind early on but turned things around with two goals from striker Amine Gouiri. His second goal showed great technique as he hit a side foot half volley in to the top corner from the edge of the area. The 21 year old is Nice's top scorer this season with eight goals. He also has four assists so is an integral part of this team.

Winger Justin Kluivert was back after a long period out with injury. Kluivert looked good at the start of the season but has been dogged by injuries since. The 22 year old Dutchman could be the extra spark Nice have needed to put an extended run of good results together.

Metz still have just the single victory for the season after drawing at home to Bordeaux last week. That’s three draws on the run now although their previous 0-0 at Marseille was a good performance and decent result. There are plenty of positives to take from the 3-3 draw against fellow strugglers Bordeaux as well. Les Grenats fought back from 2-0 down then managed to equalise again with 10 men. Three minutes after going 3-2 down attacking midfielder Farris Boulaya was sent off. Yet Frédéric Antonetti’s side had enough fight in them to equalise on 70 minutes then hold on for a valuable point. Conceding three goals at home is obviously a big negative but for once Metz created lots of chances themselves, 20 shots with 9 on target. Nicholas de Preville got his third goal of the season whilst Opa Nguette finally got off the mark with two goals. The attacking midfielder has had a tough time with injuries and this was just his seventh appearance of the season. Antonetti will be hoping the Senegalese International will remain fit for the rest of the season.

It will be interesting to see if the 27 year old starts this game after performing well from the bench last week. He may well start in place of the suspended Boulaya.

French Footy prediction: Nice 2 V Metz 1