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LIGUE 1 TEAM PREVIEWS - SUMMARY
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LIGUE 1 CHALLENGERS
The experienced Eric Gerets starts his first full season with Marseille and goals can be expected in their games, as evident in the latter part of last season. With new signing Kone partnering Cisse, they should make up for defensive shortcomings and can end Lyon's domestic dominance.
Lyon are with their fourth coach in four years and Claude Puel, after relative success at Lille, has been given the task of achieving that elusive European success; with a possible three-horse race in Ligue 1, that two-pronged attack could weaken the club's domestic challenge.
Last season's late title surge from Bordeaux was not without its criticisms; they were fortunate at times and relied on late goals which suggests a concerted 38-game assault will be beyond them this year. Expect any challenge to die away in the final straight and they may not get within ten points of the winners.
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UEFA CUP POSITIONS
Rennes look capable of coming out as the "best of the rest" with a blend of experience and some decent new signings. St Etienne can hold onto their top six place should they keep onto new France international Bafetimbi Gomis. PSG's poor last couple of seasons can be overturned with the arrival of Giuly and Makelele and Le Guen's team can also make a push for a top six position.
Nancy's defence should ensure a top-half finish and they haven't been hampered by reliance on a single goalscorer, but a drop out of top four looks likely. The promoted Ligue 2 side Nantes have the money and ambition to get back into the top-half of the league and the signing of Klasnic suggests top eight is not impossible. Lorient have improved year-on-year in recent seasons; this year, they can consolidate their position in Ligue 1 by making the top ten again.
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MID-TABLE POSITIONS
Auxerre's poor second-half of 2007/08 can be forgotten, but a lack of firepower up front may limit Fernandez' team to no higher than tenth. The departure of Puel leaves Lille with the possibility of having a transitional season around the mid-table. Monaco, 12th last year, can't be expected to improve much with the loss of their goalscoring threats in the summer.
Le Mans should fall back a little from last season's placing and may have to keep an eye on those teams behind them. Ultimately, though, there look to be teams worse off than them, though. Sochaux's coach Gillot was instrumental last season and, should they hold onto Erdinc, should be strong enough to avoid the drop, but they do look over-reliant on his goals.
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RELEGATION BATTLERS
Caen look set to spend this season fighting against relegation and defensively they may struggle. The arrival of Savidan, though, may be enough to save them.
However few goals Nice end up conceding, they can put themselves in danger with the lack of options up front and it could be a long season for the team's defence. Promoted Grenoble have opted for experience in their summer signings and this could be enough to keep them up.
Toulouse has seen a lot of transfer activity in the summer but the coach's role has been taken over by last season's assistant and so the problems last year may still be evident and they look set to end their stay in Ligue 1.
Valenciennes have also seen a number of players come and go, but mostly to and from local rivals Lens, who were relegated last year, which is not a great sign.
Finally, Ligue 1 champions Le Havre should struggle, particularly after losing the 28-goal striker Hoarau and the inexperience of coach Nobilo in the top league and a 20th-place finish may result.
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BETZINE UK PREDICTED TABLE
1st - Marseille
2nd - Lyon
3rd - Bordeaux
4th - Rennes
5th - St Etienne
6th - PSG
7th - Nancy
8th - Nantes
9th - Lorient
10th - Auxerre
11th - Lille
12th - Monaco
13th - Le Mans
14th - Sochaux
15th - Caen
16th - Nice
17th - Grenoble
18th - Toulouse
19th - Valenciennes
20th - Le Havre
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Match Previews 20-22 December:
Betzine UK is covering just the 15 games this weekend, with the Bundesliga shutting for the winter break.
Among the games are Arsenal against Liverpool at The Emirates, plus Everton's hosting of Chelsea.
read the Previews...:
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*** BETZINE UK RECORD ***
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*** LATEST PROMOTIONS ***
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Paddy Power
London Calling! (Sun 31st Aug)
If Deco scores at anytime, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match.
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Read more about the promotion HERE
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Weekend Match Reports
Links to the match reports of games in the Premiership, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga
HERE
Starting this season; news feed for ALL Premiership teams available on Betzine UK
Read the news section HERE
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