After the international break, attention shifts back to the league, with week five upon us in the Ligue 1.
The biggest news during the break was the arrival of Kylian Mbappe at the capital, on loan from AS Monaco.
So, will he make his debut for Paris Saint-Germain, who are looking to win back the title, away at Metz?
Friday, September 8:
Metz vs PSG
This encounter is an interesting, given that it involves the hosts, who are at the bottom of the log on zero points, and leaders, PSG, who have a perfect start to the season.
The team from the capital will be hoping to maintain their impressive start to the season, and stats back them to do just that.
The big spenders, who could be hand a debut to new arrival, Mbappe, have won on their last three trips to Metz, but it hasn’t always been easy- with the last two ending in 3-2 score lines.
However, Metz might still have a chance as they have beaten their more illustrious visitors more times than they have lost to them in the French top division.
Prediction: Metz 1-4 PSG
Lille vs Bordeaux
Marcelo Bielsa and his Lille side have been a shadow of themselves since their opening day thrashing of Nantes, having lost two and drawn one of their next three games.
Against a Bordeaux side brewing with confidence, after picking eight points from a possible twelve, Lille face a difficult task this weekend.
However, despite their poor form at the moment, they should be buoyed by the fact that the away side have only taken all three points at Stade Pierre-Maroy four times in their history.
Prediction: Lille 1-1 Bordeaux
Saturday, September 9:
OGC Nice vs AS Monaco
The champions are the away side this time at Allianz Riviera, following their 6-1 demolition of Marseille the last time at home.
Still unbeaten, having won four of their first four matches, Nice have it all to do to stop their rampaging visitors, led by Radamel Falcao.
Nice were embarrassed 3-0 by newcomers, Amiens before the break, and with Monaco, who have rarely looked like a side that has lost key players this summer, the latest being Mbappe, it appears their struggles would continue.
Monaco are well poised to win this one, and with four wins in the last five matches against their hosts, it’d be a surprise if Nice come out of this unscathed.
Prediction: Nice 0-3 Monaco
Caen vs Dijon
After a very poor start by both sides, they have recovered and will be looking to continue that when they lock horns on Saturday at Michel d’ornano.
While Caen have found goals hard to come by, having scored just three in four, their visitors have been the weakest in the league defensively but have scored more goals in their last two matches than Caen have managed so far this season.
Prediction: Caen 1-1 Dijon
Montpellier vs FC Nantes
Both of these sides are on four points, but the Montpellier are three steps above Nantes on the table.
They have been both poor this season, this match offers either a chance to finally get something positive to build on.
Prediction: Montpellier 1-0 Nantes
Strasbourg vs Amiens
The home side has won just once so far this season, with that win coming at home, where they host Amiens this weekend.
Meanwhile, Amiens picked up their first win just before the break, and will be looking to consolidate on that impressive 3-0 defeat of Nice.
But Amiens lost on their last visit there, 1-0, and will be looking to do better this time.
Prediction: Strasbourg 1-0 Amiens
Troyes vs Toulouse
Troyes hosts Toulouse at the Stade de L’Aube, where they have only managed to take just a point from a possible six.
Toulouse, on the other hand, have a mixed form, having won two and lost two of their opening four matches but lead, however, in their head to head with Troyes.
They have only lost twice to their host, compared to their 7 wins over them and will be favorites for this encounter.
Prediction: Troyes 0-1 Toulouse
Sunday, September 10:
Saint-Etienne vs Angers SCO
With just the defeat to PSG their only blemish this season, Etienne welcome Angers to Stade Geoffroy-Grichard looking to bounce back.
Prior to that defeat at Parcs de Princes, Etienne had kept three consecutive clean sheets, and Angers will have to be at their best to breach that defense the way PSG did.
Angers are unbeaten, but have drawn three their their four games so far, conceding at least a goal in all.
Prediction: St. Etienne 2-0 Angers
Lyon vs Guingamp
Unbeaten Lyon are at home to Guingamp and have to do better than the goalless draw they managed in their last game against Nantes, a match they were the better side and should have won.
Guingamp are not bad themselves, with two wins and two losses in four matches, but are quite poor on the road.
With four losses from the last five trips away, including a 5-1 defeat in their last visit to Lyon.
Prediction: Lyon 2-0 Guingamp
Marseille vs Rennes
The last match in week 5 sees 6th placed Marseille welcome Rennes, who are battling relegation and sit 19th.
After been at the receiving end of a 6-1 hiding from Monaco in week four, Marseille will fancy their chances against a poor Rennes side, who are yet to win a game this season.
Prediction: Marseille 2-0 Rennes
Photos Credit: Twitter
