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Coupe de la Ligue Preview: 1/16 Finals
Fifteen Ligue 1 sides enter the Coupe de la Ligue this week, though they will be treating the competition with a varying degree of importance. Goal.com previews the big matches from this week’s fixtures.
| Bet: | Returns: | AJ Auxerre £24.00 | Draw £31.00 | FC Lorient £30.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | AJ Auxerre £23.80 | Draw £31.00 | FC Lorient £31.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | AJ Auxerre £24.00 | Draw £30.00 | FC Lorient £30.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | AJ Auxerre £23.80 | Draw £32.00 | FC Lorient £30.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | AJ Auxerre £23.50 | Draw £31.00 | FC Lorient £28.50 |
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Sep 22, 2009 10:31:58 AM
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 (all kick-off times CET)
20:00 Clermont Foot vs. Vannes OC
20:45 Lorient vs. Grenoble Foot 38
Wednesday, September 23
18:45 Metz vs. Valenciennes
20:00 Le Mans vs. Nimes Olympique
20:45 Sedan vs. Auxerre
20:45 Montpellier vs. Racing Club de Lens
20:45 Saint-Etienne vs. Nice
20:45 Nancy vs. Monaco
20:45 Boulogne-Sur-Mer vs. Paris Saint-Germain
20:45 Stade Rennais vs. Sochaux
Clermont Foot vs. Vannes OC
The week’s only all-Ligue 2 clash, last season’s finalists travel to the Auvergne to face Clermont. Vannes have made a promising start to their campaign and will be keen on fighting for promotion, while Clermont will be happy just to avoid relegation into the third flight once again.
Lorient vs. Grenoble Foot 38
These sides suffered contrasting fortunes at the weekend, with Lorient running out impressive 3-1 winners at home to Nancy while Grenoble slumped to a woeful 4-0 defeat against Stade Rennais at the Stade des Alpes.
The prospect of suffering another heavy defeat to a Breton side is not one that will appeal to GF38 head coach Mecha Bazdarevic, whose side travel north west without a host of players. Sandy Paillot is missing after being taken off at the weekend, but Daisuke Matsui returns from injury to travel. Laurent Batlles and Alaixys Romao are rested.
Meanwhile, Lorient will not gamble on the fitness of starting forward Marama Vahirua, but Fabien Audard has shrugged off a problem to be included in their matchday squad. Sylvain Marchal is banned.
Metz vs. Valenciennes
Metz host Valenciennes hoping to prove their abilities as a team capable of cutting the mustard in Ligue 1. Les Grenats are one of the biggest sides not currently playing in the top flight but have made a mediocre start to their promotion campaign, stumbling to a mid-table position.
Valenciennes, on the other hand, have bounced back in recent weeks following an abject start to the campaign. They have twice won away from home this season – a novelty for their hardcore fans – triumphing 5-2 on their travels against Sochaux at the weekend. VA are unlikely to deploy such a powerful side, but Philippe Montanier will certainly be going for the win.
Nicolas Penneteau and Jonathan Lacourt are still considered to be months away from fitness, while there are a number of other niggling concerns.
Le Mans vs. Nimes Olympique
Defeat in Toulouse on Sunday was another blow to Paulo Duarte’s Le Mans side, who have had a poor start to the season in terms of points accrued, if not in terms of performances. They have looked effective at home, and they will certainly want to display their credentials against opponents they should be stronger than.
MUC don’t have any particularly concerning injury problems, though Marcelo Estigarribia and Fredrik Stromstad, who would have hopes to feature in this game, are out. Samuel Bouhours and Ibrahima Camara are doubts. Herold Goulon is banned.
Nimes were only out of the relegation zone for two weeks over the duration of last season, but somehow escaped the drop from Ligue 2. Although they have only won once to date this term, they have been harder to break down, losing only two of their seven league fixtures.
Sedan vs. Auxerre
It was not so long ago that Ardennes side Sedan boasted Ligue 1 status. They have found the going tough in the second flight since dropping through the trapdoor in 2007, and this term promises to be no different. Only six points have been garnered from their opening seven games, but they will look at Wednesday’s match as a potential turning point.
AJA have also had a tough start to the season, but things are slowly starting to come together for them. Although front line players such as Benoit Pedretti and Ireneusz Jelen may only play bit-part roles on Wednesday, squad players such as Daniel Niculae are coming into form and will want to stake a place for a first-team berth.
Julien Quercia, Alexandre Licata and Jeremy Berthod all miss out for the visiting side.
Montpellier vs. Racing Club de Lens
Southern side Montpellier face their first big test of the season as they are asked to bounce back from a 4-2 defeat against Olympique de Marseille. The signs suggest that this is possible, with MHSC responding well towards the end of the weekend’s game, making a real fight of things and showing a great deal of pride even when hope was lost.
In addition, they have already defeated Lens in Ligue 1 play, courtesy of a Alberto Costa penalty, and will go for the double here. Johann Carrasso remains a chronic injury concern, while defender Mapou Yangambiwa is banned.
Lens will go into this fixture without commanding centre-back Eric Chelle, who had a minor concern and will not be gambled upon. Into his place comes Romain Sartre, while it would not be a big surprise to see some other squad faces introduced into the starting XI.
Saint-Etienne vs. Nice
A battle of the clubs in crisis will take place at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Wednesday. While Sainte boast a strong squad, they have managed only four Ligue 1 points this season, and will hope to welcome back Loic Perrin into their starting line-up. The club captain has barely played this year due to a succession of injuries.
Stars like Gonzalo Bergessio and Augusto Fernandez may be spared in order to focus on the league campaign, though equally head coach Alain Perrin may think that games will help integrate the South Americans into the club’s style of play quickly.
Nice’s last victory came away to les Verts, but that was way back at the beginning of August, and since then things have nose-dived dramatically for les Aiglons. A boardroom reshuffle has seen the demise of president Maurice Cohen, but things are in an even worse way on the park. A 3-1 defeat by Monaco at the weekend was their fourth straight loss. Those four matches have an aggregate score of 12-1 against Didier Olle-Nicolle’s side, so the trainer is already under heavy pressure.
Nancy vs. Monaco
Since Nancy beat Monaco 4-0 at home in the second week of the Ligue 1 season, the two clubs have moved in opposite directions. Hailed as an exciting dark horse, ASNL have reverted to type, playing cagey football and picking up only scraps, while Monaco have made a handful of signings and have recorded three wins in four games since.
Andre Luiz will not feature for the hosts after being sent-off in their recent 0-0 draw with Toulouse, while a number of key players such as Michael Chretien and Abbes Ouaddou remain on the treatment table.
Guy Lacombe, the visiting coach, has a deep squad at his disposal and will likely try out some new combinations on Wednesday night. There may even be game-time for Eidur Gudjohnsen, who was withdrawn at half-time in the weekend success over Nice. ASM have no crippling injury worries. Juan Pablo Pino is missing, and Lukman Haruna is on Under-20 international duty with Nigeria.
Boulogne-Sur-Mer vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Any delusions of grandeur that Boulogne boasted after a good run of form in the league were shattered on Saturday, when they were schooled by a Bordeaux side missing many of their star players. The 2-0 defeat saw the northerners, in front of a record crowd, put up little resistance, and they will want a better showing against PSG.
Gregory Thil remains absent for the hosts, who will have to do without their top man until the winter break according to the latest estimates. He will undergo an ankle operation on Wednesday.
PSG were denied three points by a late Bafetimbi Gomis strike for Lyon on Sunday evening, though head coach Antoine Kombouare was delighted with what he saw from his men. Les Parisiens are likely to rotate significantly because the league remains their primary target. Stephane Sessegnon is still banned, Mevlut Erding is still recovering from shoulder surgery and Zoumana Camara remains injured.
Stade Rennais vs. Sochaux
After easing to a 4-0 win over Grenoble on Saturday, it should be anticipated that Rennes will have quite a bit in the tank to face Sochaux in midweek. The Breton side had their league match all tied up after just 20 minutes of play at the weekend, though a sterner challenge surely awaits them against les Lionceaux.
Although some degree of rotation is likely in the home side, they are likely to be able to field experienced campaigners such as Olivier Thomert and Mickael Pagis, who have been short on game-time in the early weeks of this season. Bruno Cheyrou could also make a tentative step back into action after a troubling Achilles problems.
Sochaux, meanwhile, do not boast nearly such strength-in-depth. Francis Gillot’s side surrendered meekly to Valenciennes 5-2 at the weekend, so spots in the first team are up for grabs should any fringe players be included. Vaclav Sverkos is banned after being sent-off late on Saturday, while Jacques Faty is considered a doubt after he picked up a serious looking injury at the weekend.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
20:00 Clermont Foot vs. Vannes OC
20:45 Lorient vs. Grenoble Foot 38
Wednesday, September 23
18:45 Metz vs. Valenciennes
20:00 Le Mans vs. Nimes Olympique
20:45 Sedan vs. Auxerre
20:45 Montpellier vs. Racing Club de Lens
20:45 Saint-Etienne vs. Nice
20:45 Nancy vs. Monaco
20:45 Boulogne-Sur-Mer vs. Paris Saint-Germain
20:45 Stade Rennais vs. Sochaux
Clermont Foot vs. Vannes OC
The week’s only all-Ligue 2 clash, last season’s finalists travel to the Auvergne to face Clermont. Vannes have made a promising start to their campaign and will be keen on fighting for promotion, while Clermont will be happy just to avoid relegation into the third flight once again.
Lorient vs. Grenoble Foot 38
These sides suffered contrasting fortunes at the weekend, with Lorient running out impressive 3-1 winners at home to Nancy while Grenoble slumped to a woeful 4-0 defeat against Stade Rennais at the Stade des Alpes.
The prospect of suffering another heavy defeat to a Breton side is not one that will appeal to GF38 head coach Mecha Bazdarevic, whose side travel north west without a host of players. Sandy Paillot is missing after being taken off at the weekend, but Daisuke Matsui returns from injury to travel. Laurent Batlles and Alaixys Romao are rested.
Meanwhile, Lorient will not gamble on the fitness of starting forward Marama Vahirua, but Fabien Audard has shrugged off a problem to be included in their matchday squad. Sylvain Marchal is banned.
Metz vs. Valenciennes
Metz host Valenciennes hoping to prove their abilities as a team capable of cutting the mustard in Ligue 1. Les Grenats are one of the biggest sides not currently playing in the top flight but have made a mediocre start to their promotion campaign, stumbling to a mid-table position.
Valenciennes, on the other hand, have bounced back in recent weeks following an abject start to the campaign. They have twice won away from home this season – a novelty for their hardcore fans – triumphing 5-2 on their travels against Sochaux at the weekend. VA are unlikely to deploy such a powerful side, but Philippe Montanier will certainly be going for the win.
Nicolas Penneteau and Jonathan Lacourt are still considered to be months away from fitness, while there are a number of other niggling concerns.
Le Mans vs. Nimes Olympique
Defeat in Toulouse on Sunday was another blow to Paulo Duarte’s Le Mans side, who have had a poor start to the season in terms of points accrued, if not in terms of performances. They have looked effective at home, and they will certainly want to display their credentials against opponents they should be stronger than.
MUC don’t have any particularly concerning injury problems, though Marcelo Estigarribia and Fredrik Stromstad, who would have hopes to feature in this game, are out. Samuel Bouhours and Ibrahima Camara are doubts. Herold Goulon is banned.
Nimes were only out of the relegation zone for two weeks over the duration of last season, but somehow escaped the drop from Ligue 2. Although they have only won once to date this term, they have been harder to break down, losing only two of their seven league fixtures.
Sedan vs. Auxerre
It was not so long ago that Ardennes side Sedan boasted Ligue 1 status. They have found the going tough in the second flight since dropping through the trapdoor in 2007, and this term promises to be no different. Only six points have been garnered from their opening seven games, but they will look at Wednesday’s match as a potential turning point.
AJA have also had a tough start to the season, but things are slowly starting to come together for them. Although front line players such as Benoit Pedretti and Ireneusz Jelen may only play bit-part roles on Wednesday, squad players such as Daniel Niculae are coming into form and will want to stake a place for a first-team berth.
Julien Quercia, Alexandre Licata and Jeremy Berthod all miss out for the visiting side.
Montpellier vs. Racing Club de Lens
Southern side Montpellier face their first big test of the season as they are asked to bounce back from a 4-2 defeat against Olympique de Marseille. The signs suggest that this is possible, with MHSC responding well towards the end of the weekend’s game, making a real fight of things and showing a great deal of pride even when hope was lost.
In addition, they have already defeated Lens in Ligue 1 play, courtesy of a Alberto Costa penalty, and will go for the double here. Johann Carrasso remains a chronic injury concern, while defender Mapou Yangambiwa is banned.
Lens will go into this fixture without commanding centre-back Eric Chelle, who had a minor concern and will not be gambled upon. Into his place comes Romain Sartre, while it would not be a big surprise to see some other squad faces introduced into the starting XI.
Saint-Etienne vs. Nice
A battle of the clubs in crisis will take place at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Wednesday. While Sainte boast a strong squad, they have managed only four Ligue 1 points this season, and will hope to welcome back Loic Perrin into their starting line-up. The club captain has barely played this year due to a succession of injuries.
Stars like Gonzalo Bergessio and Augusto Fernandez may be spared in order to focus on the league campaign, though equally head coach Alain Perrin may think that games will help integrate the South Americans into the club’s style of play quickly.
Nice’s last victory came away to les Verts, but that was way back at the beginning of August, and since then things have nose-dived dramatically for les Aiglons. A boardroom reshuffle has seen the demise of president Maurice Cohen, but things are in an even worse way on the park. A 3-1 defeat by Monaco at the weekend was their fourth straight loss. Those four matches have an aggregate score of 12-1 against Didier Olle-Nicolle’s side, so the trainer is already under heavy pressure.
Nancy vs. Monaco
Since Nancy beat Monaco 4-0 at home in the second week of the Ligue 1 season, the two clubs have moved in opposite directions. Hailed as an exciting dark horse, ASNL have reverted to type, playing cagey football and picking up only scraps, while Monaco have made a handful of signings and have recorded three wins in four games since.
Andre Luiz will not feature for the hosts after being sent-off in their recent 0-0 draw with Toulouse, while a number of key players such as Michael Chretien and Abbes Ouaddou remain on the treatment table.
Guy Lacombe, the visiting coach, has a deep squad at his disposal and will likely try out some new combinations on Wednesday night. There may even be game-time for Eidur Gudjohnsen, who was withdrawn at half-time in the weekend success over Nice. ASM have no crippling injury worries. Juan Pablo Pino is missing, and Lukman Haruna is on Under-20 international duty with Nigeria.
Boulogne-Sur-Mer vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Any delusions of grandeur that Boulogne boasted after a good run of form in the league were shattered on Saturday, when they were schooled by a Bordeaux side missing many of their star players. The 2-0 defeat saw the northerners, in front of a record crowd, put up little resistance, and they will want a better showing against PSG.
Gregory Thil remains absent for the hosts, who will have to do without their top man until the winter break according to the latest estimates. He will undergo an ankle operation on Wednesday.
PSG were denied three points by a late Bafetimbi Gomis strike for Lyon on Sunday evening, though head coach Antoine Kombouare was delighted with what he saw from his men. Les Parisiens are likely to rotate significantly because the league remains their primary target. Stephane Sessegnon is still banned, Mevlut Erding is still recovering from shoulder surgery and Zoumana Camara remains injured.
Stade Rennais vs. Sochaux
After easing to a 4-0 win over Grenoble on Saturday, it should be anticipated that Rennes will have quite a bit in the tank to face Sochaux in midweek. The Breton side had their league match all tied up after just 20 minutes of play at the weekend, though a sterner challenge surely awaits them against les Lionceaux.
Although some degree of rotation is likely in the home side, they are likely to be able to field experienced campaigners such as Olivier Thomert and Mickael Pagis, who have been short on game-time in the early weeks of this season. Bruno Cheyrou could also make a tentative step back into action after a troubling Achilles problems.
Sochaux, meanwhile, do not boast nearly such strength-in-depth. Francis Gillot’s side surrendered meekly to Valenciennes 5-2 at the weekend, so spots in the first team are up for grabs should any fringe players be included. Vaclav Sverkos is banned after being sent-off late on Saturday, while Jacques Faty is considered a doubt after he picked up a serious looking injury at the weekend.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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