Paris derby concludes 2023 calendar as table-toppers Lyon travel to Fleury: D1 Arkema Week 11 Preview
It is derby weekend in D1 Arkema as second-placed Paris FC host cross-town rivals Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Charlety on Sunday evening.
A game that is going to conclude the programme for 2023, the City’s bragging rights will well be at stake.
The hosts, who have been in good form in D1 Arkema having won three and drawn once at home, will be eager to register a win over their city rivals having failed to do so in the past 12 matches (L10/D2).
With striker Louise Fleury riding high on an impressive goal-involvement tide of six goals and four assists (10G/A), the hosts will be looking to unlock the third-best defensive unit in the league. Fellow strikers Gaëtane Thiney and Louna Ribadeira, with six and five goals apiece respectively, will also be eager to impress in front of goal.
On the other hand, the visitors will be out to quickly get back to winning ways after a difficult outing against Le Havre in their previous game. A 1-1 draw, courtesy of a last-minute strike from midfielder Grace Geyoro, will be playing on the minds of the former champions as they will be out to avoid another drop off in the race for the title.
Enjoying an unassailable 12 game unbeaten streak against Paris FC, another win will be on the menu for the former champions. Tabitha Chawinga, the club’s top markswoman with six goals and three assists in the league, will be eager to increase her goal tally.
Meanwhile, Olympique Lyonnais, one of the most in-form teams in Europe, with 10 wins in the domestic league and three wins on the European front, scoring 59 and conceding five along the way this season, will be eager to continue pulling up trees when they play away to Fleury at Stade Robert Bobin (Bondoufle) on Saturday afternoon.
Buoyed by an unblemished record in the league of 10 wins from 10 matches and an unassailable +41 goal difference, the reigning champions will be out to maintain their unbeaten record.
Unbeaten against the home side in all of the nine matches (W8/D1), Lyon will be eager for another free heat.
Ada Hegerberg, Eugénie Le Sommer and Kadidiatou Diani, boasting a 17-goal return amongst them, will be eager to continue with their free-scoring form. Diani has been setting-up goals with aplomb this season and has seven assists in 631 minutes in the league.
The central defensive duo of captain Wendie Renard and Griedge Mbock Bathy will be eager to continue with their form which has seen them being ranked the league’s meanest defence with only four goals conceded.
On the other hand, Fleury, fresh from a 2-0 defeat against Stade de Reims, a result that pushed them out of the top four, will have their work cut out trying to contain a marauding Lyon attack.
Going through an indifferent start to the season in the league having won four home games at home, Fleury will be eager for a quick response to last week’s defeat.
Striker Ewelina Kamczyk, on five goals and two assists in 700 minutes of football, will be eager to continue her goal scoring form against the league’s best defensive unit.
Stade de Reims, another side making a strong case for Europe next year, travel to Complexe Sportif Stadium 2 for a date against 11th placed Lille OSC on Saturday.
Buoyant after dislodging Fleury from fourth place after a 2-0 win last week, Amandine Miquel will be eager to build on their form of the last five matches which has seen them win two, draw two and lose one.
Built on a steady defence which include goalkeeper Kinga Szemik, who has kept a league high of six clean sheets in nine games, Reims will be out to make light work of LOSC.
With a goal difference of two and ranked the fourth best defensive unit in the league, the visitors will be eager to continue their push for a place in Europe.
On the other hand, LOSC will be out to arrest a dip in form which has seen them lose four of their last five games in the league.
Stuck deep in relegation waters on 11th-rank with six points from 10 matches, the home team will have a huge task of Himalayan proportions in trying to break down Reims’ well-oiled rearguard.
A mid-table clash plays out on Friday at the Stade Bernard Gasset Terrain n°7 where sixth-placed Montpellier take-on Le Havre.
Fresh from back-to-back 4-1 defeats at the hands of PSG and Paris FC respectively, Montpellier will be eager to get back to winning ways.
With a record of one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five matches, a win will be important for the hosts as they look to end the year on a high.
Striker Faustine Robert, whose five goals have been key in Montpellier’s push for a top four finish, will be eager to increase her tally.
Le Havre, on the other hand, have been showing some steady progress and will be upbeat after holding PSG to a 1-1 draw last week.
Unbeaten in their last five games, albeit with four draws and a solitary win, the visitors will look to continue on the upward trajectory.
Striker Inès Benyahia, who has four goals so far this term, will look to build on some strong performances.
Eighth-placed Dijon, who have had an upturn in form recently, play ninth-placed Guingamp on Saturday.
Having registered two consecutive wins in as many matches recently, a win will be high on the agenda for the Sébastien Joseph coached Dijon side.
On the other hand, Guingamp will look to end a three-match losing streak going into this match.
Having last tasted victory at home to LOSC on 11th November, a change in fortunes will be high on manager Mathieu Rufié’s agenda.
AS Saint-Étienne will be looking for back-to-back wins when they host bottom-placed Bordeaux away at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on Saturday.
Both teams are reeling from poor form and will be out to improve in an effort to launch an early fight to avoid relegation.
FIXTURES: Friday 15 December, 2023 (22:00) Montpellier vs Le Havre
FIXTURES: Saturday 16 December, 2023 (14:30) Fleury vs Lyon
FIXTURES: Saturday 16 December, 2023 (15:00) Guingamp vs Dijon
FIXTURES: Sunday 16 December, 2023 (15:30) Lille OSC vs Reims
FIXTURES: Saturday 16 December, 2023 (18;45) Bordeaux vs AS Saint-Étienne
FIXTURES: Sunday 17 December, 2023 (22:00) Paris FC vs Paris SG