Sorare Football Picks for GW97 Aug 4-7: Ligue 1

If you want upside at home versus Brest on August 22, 2026, Mafouta is the cleanest bet on Le Mans' team sheet: he has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks, 15 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, is listed as a STARTER and is averaging 90 minutes per game, so his floor is real and his ceiling is a multi-goal ceiling. The underlying profile supports that view. He delivered double‑digit scoring in Ligue 2 last season (13 goals with roughly 14.3 xG overall), numbers that speak to both volume and finishing quality, and Brest conceded 55 goals (about 1.62 per match) in 2025‑26, which creates the sort of opportunities a poacher can exploit. Sorare’s 85.3 projection with medium confidence mirrors the risk/reward: start him if you need goal upside, because his minutes and recent 0.80 goals per match over the last five give him a strong floor, but treat him as a boom-or-bust option rather than a lock for steady returns.

Lepaul is a genuine volume finisher right now, coming off a season as Ligue 1's top scorer with 21 goals and five assists and showing the form to match those numbers; he has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and fifteen appearances in the last 15 game weeks, and he's listed as a STARTER, which gives him a high ceiling. This is a tough assignment on paper because Paris Saint-Germain conceded just 29 league goals all season, so his floor is clearly trimmed in an away date at the Parc des Princes, yet his underlying output and chance quality remain strong. His season xG sits among the league leaders, so there is a realistic probability he still finds space to finish off chances. If you play the numbers, Sorare Edge pegs him highly (81.2 points) with medium confidence, so treat Lepaul as a high-upside start rather than a safety play; expect boom-or-solid-floor outcomes depending on whether Rennes can unlock PSG’s stout back line.

Sinayoko is hot and available to exploit Troyes, scoring at a 1.00 goals per match clip over the last five and playing deep minutes as a confirmed Starter, averaging 87 minutes per appearance; he has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 14 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, so his floor is real and his ceiling is tied to that run. His 2025/26 campaign backs the confidence. 12 goals and four assists with about 11.7 expected goals and heavy shot volume, evidence he finishes the chances he gets. Paris FC just signed him from Auxerre and the move matters tactically because Paris FC’s creators, notably Ilan Kebbal, should supply service that raises his ceiling against Troyes, making Sinayoko a strong starter with medium model confidence and a clear probability of return rather than a guarantee.

Bretelle's most decisive trait right now is availability and trust; he's a STARTER who has averaged 90 minutes per game and his quick rise after the January move earned a contract extension through 2029, which pushes his ceiling as a midfield source for occasional goals. He translated minutes into returns late in the 2025/26 campaign, posting two goals (and contributing at least one assist) across 13 appearances, and he has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 12 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, so the Sorare Edge 83.5 projection with medium confidence reads as a dependable floor with a reasonable chance of a modest attacking spike. At home against Stade Brestois 29 on August 22, the matchup tilts toward opportunity. Brest conceded 55 goals in 34 league matches last season. Meaning Bretelle's late runs, shots and set-piece involvement give him tangible upside, but treat any big score as a probability play rather than a certainty.

Yohou is a dependable, fulltime center back who doubles as a set piece threat. He logged 2,782 minutes and four goals across 31 league starts last season, so his ceiling includes the odd goal plus steady defensive points. Those attacking returns sit on top of real defensive substance; he helped a backline that notched 14 clean sheets and he averaged about six clearances and strong aerial numbers per match, which makes his floor attractive when he starts. Expect him in the Starting XI. Five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 14 appearances in the last 15 game weeks underline his reliability. And with Le Mans hosting Stade Brestois 29 at Stade Marie-Marvingt he is a safe, medium-confidence fantasy option; Sorare Edge pegs him at 83.3 points, but treat that as a directional ceiling, not a sure outcome.

Özer is the practical, high-floor choice between the posts because he is Lille's nailed starter and has been logging full 90s, with five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 15 appearances in the last 15 game weeks; that steady usage pairs with a Sorare Edge projection of 79.8 and model confidence marked as medium. He backs that up with real underlying numbers, keeping 13 clean sheets in 32 Ligue 1 appearances while posting about a 72 percent save rate and roughly 0.95 goals conceded per 90 after moving to Lille, which matters here because Angers conceded 48 goals (1.41 per game) last season. Given Lille's middling team form index (53.33) and the model's medium confidence, treat Özer as a safe start in clean-sheet formats who offers a solid floor from guaranteed minutes and meaningful ceiling if Lille shut Angers down, but keep an eye on any late Starting XI updates.

If you want a conservative floor in goal, Greif is the safest play on Lyon's sheet-hunting run; he totaled 11 league clean sheets last season while posting an elite save rate that kept Lyon competitive all year. He starts in Prague for Lyon's Champions League qualifier at Sparta Praha, a tie where Sparta allowed 34 goals in 2025-26 so the visitors should have a realistic chance to control the game; Greif is nailed into the Starting XI and is playing the full 90 on a regular basis, with five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 14 appearances in the last 15 game weeks. Bottom line: his floor is a steady save-heavy outing and a solid chance at a clean sheet, while his ceiling is a big fantasy night if Lyon suppress Sparta early and force low-quality shots.

Mpasi's strongest fantasy hook is his shot-stopping; he has produced an elite save rate and around 4.3 saves per 90 in his Ligue 1 sample, and that matters because AS Monaco average about 4.44 shots on target per match, so a busy night there lifts his floor via saves and bonus points. He is the Starting XI goalkeeper for Le Havre and has been playing full games, with appearances in the last 5 game weeks: 5 and appearances in the last 15 game weeks: 7, and Le Havre host Monaco on the schedule. Treat him as a medium-confidence start per the projection, attractive in formats that reward saves and match-bonus because the ceiling comes from volume rather than clean-sheet probability, so expect variance but a reliable baseline of saves.

Auxerre signed Diop this summer and looks to have him slotted straight into the Starting XI, which matters because his Ligue 2 track record shows real shot-stopping chops: 31 league matches with a roughly 74.8% save rate and a 1.24 goals-against per 90 last season. He has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 14 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, averages 90 minutes per game, and carries a Sorare Edge projection of 75.7 with medium confidence, so you get a dependable floor from starts and a clear ceiling tied to saves and volume. He opens away at RC Lens, so expect his upside to come more from busy nights and saves than guaranteed clean sheets; use him when you value a steady points floor from a nailed starter with proven form rather than betting on a low-variance shutout.

Beach arrives with momentum and a clear path to starts after a standout World Cup that helped earn him a move to ESTAC Troyes, so his fantasy floor is boosted by being the club's chosen Starting XI keeper. His domestic form backs that up: last season he recorded nine clean sheets and roughly a 72 percent save rate across 25 appearances, numbers that translate into a real weekly ceiling of a shutout plus a handful of extra-save fantasy points. Troyes host Paris FC at the Stade de l'Aube on August 22, 2026, and Paris FC conceded 50 goals (about 1.47 per game) in their last top-flight campaign, so there is a defensible probability of a clean sheet here; combine that matchup edge with your provided projection of 75.7 points and medium model confidence, and Beach is a sensible starter if you prize a secure minutes floor (he’s averaging 96 minutes per game and has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 13 appearances in the last 15).

Yohou is a dependable, fulltime center back who doubles as a set piece threat. He logged 2,782 minutes and four goals across 31 league starts last season, so his ceiling includes the odd goal plus steady defensive points. Those attacking returns sit on top of real defensive substance; he helped a backline that notched 14 clean sheets and he averaged about six clearances and strong aerial numbers per match, which makes his floor attractive when he starts. Expect him in the Starting XI. Five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 14 appearances in the last 15 game weeks underline his reliability. And with Le Mans hosting Stade Brestois 29 at Stade Marie-Marvingt he is a safe, medium-confidence fantasy option; Sorare Edge pegs him at 83.3 points, but treat that as a directional ceiling, not a sure outcome.

Boissé's biggest fantasy selling point is availability, not flash; he is a near-automatic member of Le Mans' Starting XI and is playing starter minutes on repeat, logging roughly 89 minutes per outing across the season. He has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 10 in the last 15 game weeks, which, paired with a Sorare Edge projection of 82.6 (model confidence medium), gives him a strong floor for defenders while leaving room for upside. Facing Stade Brestois at home, he should see plenty of defensive work and set-piece chances to pad counting stats against a Brest side that conceded 55 goals (1.62 per game) last season, so expect steady points more often than boom-or-bust returns.

Buadés is about as close to a guaranteed floor as you get in Le Mans' backline because he is a regular in the Starting XI who averages 90 minutes per game, with five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 13 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, so you can expect steady minutes regardless of opponent. The club rewarded that reliability with a new deal through 2028 and Le Mans uses him as a right-sided piston, which helped him chip in three goals and three assists last season while anchoring a backline that kept 14 clean sheets in 27 matches, giving him real ceiling from both defensive points and occasional attacking returns. He faces Stade Brestois 29 at home on August 22, 2026, and with a Sorare Edge projection of 82.3 points and medium model confidence, treat Buadés as a dependable start with tidy upside rather than a boom-or-bust differential.

Calodat is about as safe a minutes play as you’ll find at left back, a regular in Le Mans' Starting XI who logged just over 2,300 minutes last season while chipping in two goals and four assists and creating 29 chances, so his floor is high because he plays late into games and his ceiling comes from real assist upside.

The biggest reason to start Chancel Mbemba is his locked-in minutes for Lille, he is a Starter who is playing essentially full matches and gives you a reliable floor in squads that prize minutes. That matters this weekend away to Angers, because Angers have been one of the leakier Ligue 1 backlines this season, so Mbemba carries a higher-than-usual ceiling for a clean sheet and defensive points in the match. He has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and nine appearances in the last 15 game weeks, and his run of five clean sheets in 13 outings shows tangible defensive output, so treat him as a safe floor pick with upside; the Sorare Edge projection of 79.4 points and medium model confidence matches that profile.

Bretelle's most decisive trait right now is availability and trust; he's a STARTER who has averaged 90 minutes per game and his quick rise after the January move earned a contract extension through 2029, which pushes his ceiling as a midfield source for occasional goals. He translated minutes into returns late in the 2025/26 campaign, posting two goals (and contributing at least one assist) across 13 appearances, and he has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 12 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, so the Sorare Edge 83.5 projection with medium confidence reads as a dependable floor with a reasonable chance of a modest attacking spike. At home against Stade Brestois 29 on August 22, the matchup tilts toward opportunity. Brest conceded 55 goals in 34 league matches last season. Meaning Bretelle's late runs, shots and set-piece involvement give him tangible upside, but treat any big score as a probability play rather than a certainty.

Hákon has become a near-ever-present Starter in Lille's Starting XI, averaging 84 minutes per game in your dataset and showing real availability with five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 15 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, so his floor is driven by steady minutes. That playing time is paying off for fantasy: he has eight Ligue 1 goals this season and strong underlying numbers (about 0.31 xG per 90 and top-percentile touches in the opposition box), so an away date with an Angers side that conceded 48 goals this campaign hands him a clear ceiling for shots and goal chances. Your Sorare Edge projection of 78.9 with model confidence MEDIUM matches the profile. High upside because he plays heavy minutes and gets into the box, but the reward is probabilistic rather than certain; treat him as a starter when you want upside and minute-security, and as a plug-in if you need a safer floor.

Mille is as close to a safe floor as Troyes has in midfield, starting regularly and logging heavy minutes. He’s played five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 14 appearances in the last 15 game weeks while racking up roughly 2,900 minutes and 33 starts this season, so you can bank on him finishing matches. He’s been doing the creative work to justify that trust, with three goals and five assists on the season and recent per-match production of 0.20 goals and 0.40 assists over his last five, which gives him a clear ceiling in attack when Troyes get on the front foot. Hosting Paris FC at the Stade de l’Aube sets up nicely for him since Paris FC were exposed defensively last term and concede pressure and second balls that central midfielders can turn into chances, so Mille’s ceiling here is legitimately appealing. The Sorare Edge projection (78.3) and the model’s medium confidence line up with that view, but treat him as high-floor, medium-ceiling rather than a boom-or-bust punt.

Cásseres is as safe as Toulouse mids get right now, a fixture in the Starting XI who has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and has been logging full 90s, so his floor is sturdy for lineup sets. He brings real attacking juice too, averaging 0.20 goals and 0.40 assists per match over his last five (including a two‑assist outing in early May) and he finished the season with two goals and three assists, so his ceiling in any given match is a couple of goal involvements. Lyon concede around 1.18 goals per game this season, which hands him extra creative opportunity at home, and with 13 appearances in the last 15 game weeks plus a Sorare Edge projection of 78.3 (model confidence medium), he is a sensible start if you want a dependable midfielder with a decent chance of return.

Don’t sleep on his minutes; Noah Cadiou comes in as a straight starter with five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 14 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, which pins his fantasy floor to playing time rather than rotation risk. He’s been finishing chances lately at 0.40 goals per match over the last five, and his season return of three goals with a 3.26 npxG and a 52.9 percent shot accuracy shows those chances are high quality rather than random luck. This is a favorable draw against an OGC Nice backline that conceded 60 goals last season, and with Pablo Pagis operating as Lorient’s main attacking outlet (10 goals, five assists), Cadiou offers a solid ceiling for goal involvement; Sorare Edge projects 78.2 points with medium confidence and the team form index is 46.67, so treat him as a medium-confidence start with a dependable minutes floor and a realistic upside if he keeps converting chances.

If you want upside at home versus Brest on August 22, 2026, Mafouta is the cleanest bet on Le Mans' team sheet: he has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks, 15 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, is listed as a STARTER and is averaging 90 minutes per game, so his floor is real and his ceiling is a multi-goal ceiling. The underlying profile supports that view. He delivered double‑digit scoring in Ligue 2 last season (13 goals with roughly 14.3 xG overall), numbers that speak to both volume and finishing quality, and Brest conceded 55 goals (about 1.62 per match) in 2025‑26, which creates the sort of opportunities a poacher can exploit. Sorare’s 85.3 projection with medium confidence mirrors the risk/reward: start him if you need goal upside, because his minutes and recent 0.80 goals per match over the last five give him a strong floor, but treat him as a boom-or-bust option rather than a lock for steady returns.

Lepaul is a genuine volume finisher right now, coming off a season as Ligue 1's top scorer with 21 goals and five assists and showing the form to match those numbers; he has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and fifteen appearances in the last 15 game weeks, and he's listed as a STARTER, which gives him a high ceiling. This is a tough assignment on paper because Paris Saint-Germain conceded just 29 league goals all season, so his floor is clearly trimmed in an away date at the Parc des Princes, yet his underlying output and chance quality remain strong. His season xG sits among the league leaders, so there is a realistic probability he still finds space to finish off chances. If you play the numbers, Sorare Edge pegs him highly (81.2 points) with medium confidence, so treat Lepaul as a high-upside start rather than a safety play; expect boom-or-solid-floor outcomes depending on whether Rennes can unlock PSG’s stout back line.

Sinayoko is hot and available to exploit Troyes, scoring at a 1.00 goals per match clip over the last five and playing deep minutes as a confirmed Starter, averaging 87 minutes per appearance; he has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 14 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, so his floor is real and his ceiling is tied to that run. His 2025/26 campaign backs the confidence. 12 goals and four assists with about 11.7 expected goals and heavy shot volume, evidence he finishes the chances he gets. Paris FC just signed him from Auxerre and the move matters tactically because Paris FC’s creators, notably Ilan Kebbal, should supply service that raises his ceiling against Troyes, making Sinayoko a strong starter with medium model confidence and a clear probability of return rather than a guarantee.

Rennes bought Soumaré this summer after a breakout season in which he was involved in 13 goals for Le Havre last year, eight strikes and five assists, so his ceiling as a straight finisher is real and obvious. �

He arrives at Le Havre on loan riding real finishing form, having scored in a four-game run to close the J1 season, so you can bank on him being on the front foot and looked to in the box. He has five appearances in the last 5 game weeks and 12 appearances in the last 15 game weeks, is listed as a STARTER and is averaging 78 minutes per match, while registering 0.80 goals and 0.20 assists per match over his last five, figures that give him a clear ceiling at home versus AS Monaco; Monaco conceded 54 goals (about 1.59 per match) in 2025. 26, so there is opportunity for a poacher if Le Havre create chances. Sorare Edge grades him strongly at 77.4 with medium model confidence, which fits the profile of a high-upside start with a solid minutes floor but some adaptation risk as he settles into Ligue 1, so play him when you need upside and accept occasional volatility.