Bonjour! Ca va? Back again, sorry I haven't been able to get this up sooner, thunder, lightning and how poor my router is in bad weather were all the contributing factors. Never the less I am here and we shall begin this time with Marseille! So onward and upwards! Hope you have enjoyed the first two and I'll be trying to get as many out as possible!
Olympique de Marseille
Last season: 10th
Star man: André-Pierre Gignac
Unsung hero: Rod Fanni
Prediction for this season: Challenging for the league.
Marseille will be desperate to improve on their tenth place finish last year, despite making the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Despite the lack of new signings in the team, L'OM have gotten off to a great start this year winning their opening three games and are looking good to progress in the Europa League. The season before last Gignac was one of the most feared strikers in Europe, despite going off the boil last year he is back banging in the goals for Marseille. They are also yet to concede in the league thanks to one of the most under-rated centre backs in the league, Rod Fanni, a man mountain at the back he has been impenetrable this year.
Montpellier Herault SC
Last season: Champions
Star man: Younes Belhanda
Unsung hero: Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
Prediction for this season: Champions League places.
Montpellier look a shell of their former selves, picking up just one point from their first three games, not to say that they won't kick start their season now. It looks like they are seriously missing Giroud, that cutting edge they had last season is gone. They have a creative team granted, with Belhanda, Utaka and Ait-Fana but without that 'goal getter ' they don't seem themselves. None the less I still think they are a wonderful team, I love watching them play Belhanda is an excellent talent and wouldn't be surprised if a Premier League club came in for him, especially with Newcastle's scouting in France. The rock at the heart of Montpellier's defence Yanga-Mbiwa, despite still being there was almost at AC Milan but a potential move fell through. Yet he still has been fully committed to MHSC's cause with courage and excellent tackling and positioning.
AS Nancy
Last season: 11th
Star man: Andre Luiz
Unsung hero: Yohan Mollo
Prediction for this season: Fighting relgation.
AS Nancy have had a decent start this year, the highlight being a one-one draw against Lille at their new ground. The most ill-disciplined team in the league having already got two players sent off this season. They depend alot on captain and centre back Andre Luiz, already sent off this year, some would say this demonstrates his commitment to the cause to get the best possible for ASNL. Whilst at the other end the rely on the flair on Yohan Mollo to help create and get goals, it will be a difficult season for 'les chardons' if they continue the ill-discipline and fail to take the burden of Mollo and Luiz's shoulders.
OGC Nice
Last season: 13th
Star man: Didier Digard
Unsung hero: Dario Cvitanich
Prediction for this season: Mid-table mediocrity.
So Nice has got off to a okay-ish start to the season, drawing with Lille probably being the only bright point, lead by star midfielder Didier Digard they will be hoping to consolidate in Ligue 1 this season due to the loss of star man Anthony Mounier to champions Montpellier. However they have added in Cvitanich to their squad to by their star striker and replicate Mounier's excellent form last season. I think they will be happy with another year in Ligue 1, due to the start of some of the teams including the three that have got promoted and I think they will do it, but not without the occasional hiccup due to their lack of defensive qualities.
Thanks again if your still reading, the support is fantastic and much appreciated. Back tomorrow with big spending Paris Saint-Germain!
Jonathan.
Follow me on Twitter: @JWalsh97
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