Here are some of the best things to watch for in this first week's action in Ligue 1.
The 2014/15 season of Ligue 1 starts this weekend. Stade de Reims host Paris Saint-Germain on Friday night to kick-off the campaign, but then the other nine games span Saturday and Sunday. It is shaping up to be a tremendously exciting season.
Each week we will look at the great and good reasons to watch Ligue 1 each weekend. There is so much more to the league than Zlatan and PSG, and we will bring you all the details.
Brazilian Striker Meets Former Team
Bastia made a move to sign Brazilian striker Brandao from Saint-Etienne this week, and the 34-year-old is set to play against his former club this weekend. Brandao spent four years at Marseille; he scored 17 league goals but had a habit of scoring important goals in the cup or Champions League.
What are the chances of Marseille’s new era under Marcelo Bielsa coming a cropper to the veteran striker. The script is written for the curly haired forward to score the winner.
Hungry Like The Wolf
Saint-Etienne replaced the outgoing Brandao by signing Norwich City flop Ricky van Wolfswinkel on a season-long loan. He failed to score a single goal for the Canaries last season in the Premier League and now a Les Verts player, both the player and the club are hoping that he can shake off the poor season and fire the club towards the Champions League places.
He could make his debut against Coupe de France winners Guingamp away from home. It is a tough place to go for most sides, and would be the ideal place to kick start his loan season.
No New Faces at Nantes
On Saturday evening, FC Nantes take on Racing Club de Lens at the Stade de Beaujoire. What makes this game very interesting is that neither club has been able to make a new signing this summer. Nantes has a transfer embargo after a dispute over the signing of Ismael Bangoura 18 months ago.
