D1 Arkema Matchday 9 Preview
Smarting from a 6-1 clobbering at the hands of Lyon, reigning champions and second placed Paris Saint Germain host eighth placed Stade Reims on Saturday.
The fixture presents an opportunity for the home side to get their season back on track after a difficult week both on and off the field of play.
As Didier Ollé-Nicolle’s outfit will be looking to avoid a repeat of last week’s result, Stade Reims will be aiming to register their first three points in November, having last done so in October against Bordeaux.
The Parisians, beaming with the confidence of a 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Women’s Champions League away on Thursday, will look to keep pressure in their quest to defend the title.
The hosts will be looking to the division’s leading goal scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto to provide the goals after having failed to score against Lyon. The forward also scored in their UEFA Women’s Champions League win over Real Madrid on Thursday.
Heading into the clash, Paris will be missing the services of Canadian full-back Ashley Lawrence who was given a straight red card against Lyon.
Stade Reims, on the other end, will look to capitalize on an upturn in form which has seen them register two wins on the bounce. Midfielder Melchie Dumornay has been unstoppable for Amandine Miquel’s side having registered three goals in the last three games.
Issy FF vs Lyon
Early pacesetters Olympique Lyonnais visit 10th placed Issy FF in another Saturday early kick-off fixture.
Buoyed by their 6-1 win over defending champions Paris Saint Germain on Sunday, Sonia Bompastor’s side will be looking to maintain a tight grip on top spot which they occupy with 24 points from eight games.
Forward Melvine Mallard has been prominent amongst the goal scorers with a goal in every match in the last five matches.
Defensively, Lyon have been equally impressive and will be aiming to continue with that trajectory as they look to maintain their dominance at the top of the log.
The hosts will have to be at their best in order to stop the marauding Lyon side. However, having not posted any victory in five outings — with their last coming in September when they defeated fellow strugglers Saint-Etiene — Saturday’s fixture looks poised to be a routine win for Lyon.
Dijon vs Paris FC
Third placed Paris FC travel to seventh placed Dijon on Saturday in a potentially tricky encounter for the Parisians.
Sandrine Soubeyrand’s side will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after dropping maximum points at home in the 3-1 defeat to Bordeux on Saturday. Having gone five wins on the bounce prior to last week’s defeat, the travelers will be aiming to quickly get back to winning ways by claiming the sculp of Dijon.
Forwards Clara Mateo and Ouleymata Sarr will look to swiftly get their shooting boots on, having fired blanks in the previous outing. Nevertheless, Dijon will look to ensure the visitors work hard for a win having seen themselves rise steadily on the log standings.
Fleury 91 vs Guingamp
Champions league hopefuls Fleury 91 hope to collect maximum points when they entertain ninth placed Guingamp at home on Saturday.
With one defeat at the hands of Dijon spoiling their impressive run this season, Jérôme Bonnet’s side will be looking to extend their fine run in their quest for next season’s champions league participation.
Polish forward Nikola Karczewska has been heavily involved in the goals for the fourth placed side and will be looking to continue with her rich vein of form.
Fifth placed Bordeoux host sixth ranked Montpellier in a mid-table clash on Saturday.
The two sides will be looking to remain within the reach of a respectable finish come end of season. With both teams coming from impressive outings, this clash promises fireworks in the battle for top four finish. The hosts will be spurred by their 3-1 win over third placed Paris FC last week, while the visitors will be propelled by their 3-0 win over Issy FF on Saturday.
Soyaux Charente vs Saint-Etienne
12thplaced Soyaux Charente and 11th placed Saint-Etienne clash in a bottom of the table clash on Saturday.
The two sides, with four points apiece, will be hoping to kick start their survival campaign in this encounter. A victory for either side will see them potentially leapfrog Issy FF and Guingamp on 10th and ninth places respectively.
Dragan Cvetković’s side will be hoping to build some momentum after last week’s 2-2 stalemate with Guingamp, while Saint-Etienne will be hoping for a chance in fortune after suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Paris FC.
D1 Artema Matchday 9: Paris Saint Germain vs Stade Reims; Issy FF vs Lyon; Dijon vs Paris FC; Fleury 91 vs Guingamp; Bordeoux vs Montpellier; Soyaux Charente vs Saint-Etienne.