Lyon date Bordeaux as PSG, Paris FC seek to close gap: D1 Arkema Week 5 Preview
Early doors favourites Olympique Lyonnais will be aiming to buttress their position as this season’s team to beat and a fixture away at the Stade Sainte Germaine on Sunday against seventh-placed Girondins de Bordeaux provides the right tonic for Sonia Bompastor’s outfit to continue their push for the top gong.
High-flying after a 2-0 win over Rodez on matchday four, forwards Delphine Cascarino and Eugénie Le Sommer-Daniel — on two goals apiece so far this campaign — will be looking to punish the Bordeaux defence.
Bordeaux, on the other hand, having fought for a hard-earned 0-0 draw against Montpellier, will be aiming to gain some momentum going into the tricky round of fixtures this October and November.
Trusted goal-getter Maelle Garbino, on three goals in four matches and looking to repay the trust the club put in her in awarding her a new contract until 2023, will definitely be one to watch out for on Sunday against her former club.
Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain entertain Dijon Football Côte d'Or on Saturday with all to fight for in a bid to mount a serious title challenge.
Having battled to a 2-2 stalemate against Le Havre on matchday four, Gérard Prêcheur will be demanding a quick turnaround in form from his side.
Attacking lynchpin Kadidiatou Diani, with six goals across all competitions this season, will be rubbing her hands at the prospect of extending her impressive start to the season.
On the other hand, Dijon will be hoping to kick-on after an indifferent start to the season which has seen them collect four points from as many matches. A positive result against the former champions will stand them in good stead in their bid to rescue their already faltering season.
Third-placed Paris FC host fifth-placed Stade de Reims on Friday evening.
Both teams are riding on the high wire having registered impressive victories before the international break with Paris FC condemning Dijon to a 0-2 thanks to goals from centre-back Célina Ould Hocine and striker Gaëtane Thiney.
Goals are spread across all departments for the Parisans with a total of five players on one goal each.
On the other hand, the visitors, whose defenders have been posting some impressive scoring statistics, will look to up the ante in their quest for a champions league slot. Central defender Julie Pasquereau, on two goals, and right-back Kethna Louis, also weighing in with two goals from four outings, will be eager to keep guard of their goal as well as build on their goal involvement.
Montpellier will be aiming at rediscovering their form and collect maximum points when they visit struggling En Avant de Guingamp on Saturday.
Striker Nérilia Mondésir, whose three goals have been important this season, will be trusted with providing the goals and will be ably assisted by midfielder Faustine Robert, who is on two goals.
The hosts, on the other hand, will be out for some damage-control and their first priority is to guard their goal which has been leaking left, right and centre. Defenders Emmy Jezequel and Héloïse Mansuy will be out to improve after the disappointment of letting in eight goals so far this season.
Buoyant Le Havre, fresh from a brave 2-2 draw against PSG, make a trip Saturday to Stade Léo Lagrange where they square-off against ASJ.
The Frédéric Goncalves coached outfit will be eager to take the next step after having exhibited brave outings in the run up to this weekend’s encounter.
Attacker Salomé Elisor will be angling for another fruitful day in front of goal as she looks to add to the two goals she has already bagged this season.
ASJ Soyaux-Charente, on the other hand, will be banking on experience to see them through as they play tricky Le Havre.
Strikers Stéphanie Gbogou, Camille Collin and Jessy Roux, on one goal each, will be eager to add to their tallies.
FC Fleury 91 take a trip to Stade Paul Lignon for a date against lowly Rodez on Sunday.
Chief-striker Rosemonde Kouassi will be out for a return amongst the goals having missed out last week against Soyaux-Charente upon her return from a one game suspension. The three goals she has scored so far this season are behind Fleury’s good start to the season.
Rodez, on the other hand, will be hoping for a better result having been this season’s punching bag with no points from a possible 12.
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FIXTURES: Friday 14 October, 2022 (18:30) Paris FC vs. Stade de Reims
FIXTURES: Saturday 15 October, 2022 (14:30) ASJ Soyaux-Charente vs. Le Havre AC
FIXTURES: Saturday 15 October, 2022 (14:30) En Avant Guingamp vs. Montpellier HSC
FIXTURES: Saturday 15 October, 2022 (14:30) Paris Saint-Germain FC vs. Dijon Football Côte d'Or
FIXTURES: Sunday 16 October, 2022 (12:45) Rodez Aveyron Football vs. FC Fleury 91
FIXTURES: Sunday 16 October, 2022 (12:45) FC Girondins de Bordeaux vs. Olympique Lyonnais
All Times are Central European Time (CET)