We look at Ligue 1 fixtures for the weekend as France’s top-flight league gets underway in earnest on matchday three of the 2021-22 season. The focus here is on a couple of matchups complete with predictions and soccer free picks, but be sure to check out the entire slate of fixtures that are available with the best online sportsbooks.
Friday, August 20, 2021 – 3:00 PM ET at Venue Stade Francis-Le Blé
PSG officially introduced Lionel Messi to fans last weekend at the Parc des Princes after he walked out onto the pitch before their home clash with Strasbourg. It was an epic welcome for the Argentinian, who’d made the surprising move from Barcelona to France’s top-flight league late this summer sending shockwaves through soccer betting markets. Few would have predicted such a move because the established opinion was that Messi would likely stay with Barcelona, his boyhood club, until the end of his career – or as close to its end as possible.
Before the weekend’s introduction, manager Mauricio Pochettino had already confirmed Messi wouldn’t be making his debut on the day. So, Messi’s walk out onto the pitch was purely for the fans. It’s ex[ected that Messi will make his debut on August 29 against Stade Reims at the Parc des Princes. In the meanwhile, this week’s Ligue 1 schedule has PSG on the road and taking on Stade Brestois at the Stade Francis-Le Blé.
Through two rounds of top-tier French football, the Parisienne’s are unbeaten with a perfect 2-0-0 record. Pochettino’s side opened with a nervy 2-1 win over Troyes on the road before beating a hapless Strasbourg 4-2 at home. To be fair, it’s been a relatively soft schedule at the start of the season, ideal for easing into the season and dispensing with any rust.
Brestois go into this game still searching for their first win. Through two rounds, the southern French side has merely two points to show for their efforts. Having said that, Brest held both Lyon and Rennes to 1-1 draws, respectively – two sides that finished fourth and sixth in the table last season. Those might not be earthshattering results, but they’re the sort of small victories that could give aside some measure of optimism. Put it this way, they’ll need it against PSG.
Beating PSG might be a tall order for Brest, considering they’re coming off a season in which they barely held on to their place in France’s top league. If they can keep the onslaught down to a minimum that could be another one of those small victories that will help them keep their peckers up in the coming weeks. Thus, the goals market offers the best value for soccer picks with the UNDER 3.5 goals the choice bet here.
Soccer Pick: Under 3.5 (-109) with Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Sunday, August 22, 2021 - 9:00 AM EST at Venue Stade Matmut-Atlantique
Angers SCO is off to a bright start in Ligue 1 with the top spot in their possession after two rounds of top-flight French football yielded maximum points. Angers’ unbeaten run began with a 2-0 win over Strasbourg on the road and then extended with an eyebrow-raising 3-0 win over Lyon in the last lap around Ligue 1. Impressively though, through two games, Angers not only picked up all six points on offer, but they are yet to concede a goal.
New manager Gerard Baticle’s fairy tale start couldn’t have been better had he scripted it himself. But it’s early days in the new season, and much too early to bring out the bubbly. Next up is FC Girondins Bordeaux on the road, a side that hasn’t had the best of starts to the new seasons, but that, for that very same reason, can’t be taken lightly. As the saying goes, beware of the hungry wolf.
After two games, Bordeaux has nothing but a point to show for two rounds of Ligue 1 action. The season got off to an abysmal start with a 0-2 loss to Clermont at home followed by a 2-2 draw to Marseille on the road.
Angers have been led by Sofiane Boufal, Azzedine Ounahi, and Ismael Traoré through the first two games with each scoring goal. However, the team on the whole feels like a reinvigorated side under Baticle. And that new-fangled form and confidence has the visitors edging the hosts ever so slightly on the soccer odds board.
Of course, it’s a tight betting line that might suggest that a draw is on the cards. Bordeaux can’t be dismissed out of hand, especially seeing as they’re desperate to get going with their first win on the season. On the flip side, the balance might tip firmly in Angers camp because Baticle spent almost a decade with Bordeaux. Hence, his insider knowledge is going to be invaluable and could be the deciding factor that underscores his side’s advantage. All told, the lean here is for a win by the visitors with soccer odds that promise at least 1.5 return on your investment.
Soccer Free Pick: Angers (+157) with YouWager (visit our YouWager Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.