All systems go in D1 Arkema this weekend with Lyon, PSG jostling for top spot: D1 Arkema Week Three Preview
Defending champions Lyon have an early weekend chance to go top of the log standings when they visit Stade Bernard Gasset Terrain n°7 for a clash against third-placed Montepellier on Friday evening in this weekend’s top of the table clash.
With the hosts enjoying a perfect start to the season having won two from as many games, Lyon will have to dig deep if they entertain any chance of emerging unscathed from this encounter.
Still missing the services of trusted goal-getter Ada Hegerberg who is out with an injury, Les Gones will look to midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk, who has two goals so far this season, and forward Melvine Malard to provide the goals.
The hosts, that said, will be eager to arrest a 10-game-winless-streak against Lyon.
In-form forward Nérilia Mondésir will be eager to add to the three goals scored so far this season. Defensive rock Luna Gevitz — impressive on both ends of the field with just one goal conceded in two games as well as the luxury of two goals scored from a centre back position — will be looking to continue racking-up impressive statistics for La Paillade.
Elsewhere, table-toppers Paris Saint-Germain entertain fourth-placed Fleury on Saturday with the goal to keep hold of the top spot.
Enjoying a 100% win-rate from their last 11 encounters against the visitors, the forward-line of skipper Kadidiatou Diani and Lieke Martens will be out in full force aiming to provide the goals for the Parisans having scored three goals between them so far this campaign. The duo will be aiming to be as efficient in front of goal as they were against Swedish side BK Häcken in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) on Wednesday where they managed to score a goal each to earn a hard-fought 2-1 win in a match characterized by a dearth of clear-cut chances.
The visitors, on the other hand, fresh from a 1-1 draw against another side from the capital, Paris FC, last weekend, will be eager to continue with their good start to the season having collected four points from a possible six so far.
Attacker Rosemonde Kouassi, enjoying a purple patch in front of goal this season with three goals from two starts, will be eager to prove a point against the PSG rear-guard of Elisa de Almeida and Amanda Ilestedt.
Fresh from a disappointing draw against Fleury last weekend, Paris FC will be hoping for a quick turnaround in fortunes when they entertain Le Havre at home on Friday evening.
With stakes evenly poised between the teams, with either side having won a single match each, the Sandrine Soubeyrand coached outfit will be banking on home advantage to propel them to victory.
Forwards Clara Matéo and Mathilde Bourdieu will be hoping to add to their one goal each so far this season.
However, Le Havre will be out to inflict pain on the hosts having picked their first full set of points when they humbled seasoned campaigners En Avant de Guingamp 1-0 last week courtesy of a 55th minute Deja Davis penalty.
Dijon will be aiming to earn their full set of maximum of points when they visit struggling En Avant de Guingamp on Saturday.
Léa Declercq, with the only goal that earned them a hard-fought draw against Bordeaux last week, will be rubbing hands to make sure she adds more goals and help the visitors compound more misery on the hosts in the teams’ first meeting in recent history.
Guingamp, on the other hand, will be aiming to improve from a dry spell that has seen them fail to score a goal in their two games so far this season.
FC Girondins de Bordeaux welcome Stade de Reims at Stade Sainte Germaine on Saturday aiming for nothing short of maximum points having collected zero points from a possible six so far this season.
It will be a game in which both teams will be eager to improve having failed to secure any points with both sets of players hoping for a change in fortunes.
ASJ Soyaux-Charente play hosts to Rodez Aveyron Football on Saturday with both teams aiming to get off the mark having not won any match so far.
ASJ Soyaux-Charente will be banking on experience as well as home advantage against Rodez Aveyron Football who are yet to find their feet in unfamiliar territory.
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FIXTURES (Friday): Paris FC vs. Le Havre (18:30); Montpellier vs. Lyon (21:00)
FIXTURES (Saturday): Guingamp vs. Dijon (14:30); Soyaux-Charente vs. Rodez (14:30); Bordeaux vs. Stade Reims (14:30)
FIXTURES (Sunday): PSG vs. Fleury (12:45)
All Times are Central European Time (CET)