The biggest headline from the upcoming matchday four of the French Ligue 1 is the imminent debut of Paris Saint Germain new signing Lionel Messi.
The coach of the French club Mauricio Pochettino announced that the player is ready to make his first appearance for the club and would be available for their matchday four encounter.
Here is our Ligue 1 matchday four preview and tips from our in-house experts.
Nantes vs Lyon: Both teams come into the fourth round of matches on the back of undesirable results in the previous round of matches.
Nantes fell to a defeat at the hands of Rennes while Olympique Lyonnais drew 3-3 against newly-promoted Clermont Foot. A win for Nantes has been pegged at 4.60 odds, with a draw set at 3.80 odds. A win for Lyon has been set at 1.71 odds.
Nice vs Bordeaux: Bordeaux played a 1-1 draw against Angers in their matchday four clash, and Nice saw their match against Olympique Marseille abandoned after fans invaded the pitch and clashed with the players.
Both sides will be looking to pick up maximum points from the clash. Nice are favourites to pick up the win and have been given 1.62 odds, with Bordeaux getting 5.25 odds of winning. A draw has been set at 3.85 odds.
Olympique Marseille vs Saint Etienne: Olympique Marseille will take on Saint Etienne in their matchday four encounter after their previous match against Nice was abandoned. Saint Etienne were involved in a 1-1 draw in their last match. Marseille have been given 1.74 odds of picking up maximum points, with Saint Etienne getting 4.50 odds and a draw set at 3.75 odds.
Troyes vs Monaco: AS Monaco will come into their match against Troyes on a wretched run of form that has seen them drop out of the UEFA Champions League. They also lost their last league match against Lens and have picked up only one point so far this season.
Troyes have also picked up just one point in the league this season. Monaco are favourites here and have been given 1.76 odds, with their opponents getting 4.35 odds of picking up a win. A draw has been pegged at 3.65 odds.
Angers vs Rennes: Rennes will be looking to build on their matchday two victory over Nantes when they visit Angers, who were involved in a 1-1 draw against Bordeaux in their last match. Angers sit in second place in the league after picking up seven points from nine on offer. A win for Angers has been set at 2.80 odds, with Rennes getting 2.50 odds. A draw has been set at 3.15 odds.
Clermont vs Metz: Newly-promoted Clermont Foot will be undoubtedly buoyed by their impressive 3-3 draw against Olympique Lyonnais in the last round of matches when they take to the field against Metz, who were also involved in a draw against Reims. They have picked up seven points from their opening three matches, while their opponents have picked up just two. Clermont are favourites for the win and have been given 1.74 odds of winning. Metz have been given 4.75 odds and a draw has been set at 3.55 odds.
Lens vs Lorient: After their matchday three defeat of AS Monaco, Lens will look to hand out another beating, this time, to FC Lorient. Lorient lost to Montpellier in the previous round of matches, and would be looking to pull off an impressive win over Lens. Lens are favourites to pick up the win and have been given 1.66 odds. Lorient have been given 4.90 odds of winning, and a draw has been set at 3.75 odds.
Strasbourg vs Brest: Brest will take on the league’s bottom club Strasbourg in their matchday four clash. Strasbourg have picked up only one point so far this season and it came in a 1-1 draw against Troyes on matchday three. Brest lost in their last match against Paris Saint Germain, and would be looking to pick up maximum points against Strasbourg. Strasbourg have been given 1.95 odds of picking up the maximum points and Brest have been given 3.75 odds. A draw has been set at 3.45 odds.
Lille vs Montpellier: Champions Lille will look to kick-start their season at the fourth time of asking when they take on Montpellier. Lille have picked up only two points so far this season and drew their last match 1-1 against Saint Etienne. Montpellier won against Lorient last time out to pick up their first three points of the season. Champions Lille have been given 1.68 odds of picking up their first win in the season, with Montpellier getting 4.65 odds. A draw has been pegged at 3.80 odds.
Reims vs Paris Saint Germain: Reims will have the honour of being the first club to face Lionel Messi in Paris Saint Germain colours when both sides lock horns in their matchday four clash. The visitors have the league’s only intact 100% record as they have won all three of their matches so far. Reims are also undefeated in the league so far, drawing all three of their matches. Reims are clear underdogs, getting 13.00 odds of picking up a win. The visitors have been given 1.18 odds, with a draw pegged at 7.50 odds.
