Welcome back to the Last Word on Football’s previews and predictions for Ligue 1. We have reached the 21st round of games, the first round of games in a couple of weeks. Leaders Paris Saint-Germain head to Lille, Marseille welcome Angers. Nantes will look to exact revenge in the second Atlantique derby of the season when they welcome Bordeaux.
Ligue 1 Predictions
Nantes and Bordeaux Clash in the Second Atlantique Derby of the Season
High flying Nantes welcome rivals Bordeaux as both teams chase European football. Christian Gourcuff’s side have found their groove again after a disappointing run of results. Nantes have won three of their last four in Ligue 1 propelling them into the top four.
In contrast, Bordeaux are in rotten form losing their last four league games which has seen fall into the bottom half. Paulo Sousa’s side desperately need a response to kick start their season again. Sousa will target a derby day victory to push them back into the European football race.
He will fancy his side can get a result having won two of their last three trips to Nantes. The home side have won just twice in ten league meetings with Bordeaux on their own patch. A big game for both clubs.
Toulouse Look to Avoid an 11th Consecutive League Defeat
Basement club Toulouse head to Lyon looking to arrest their woeful run of form. Les Violets have slumped to 11 consecutive league defeats and are under their third manager of the season.
Lyon have not been lighting up Ligue 1 this season due to their inconsistencies and injuries. Rudi Garcia needs a good result with Lyon outside the Champions League places. He could hand a debut to his big new signing Karl Toko-Ekambi.
Les Gones are inconsistent winning just two games out of their last five. Rudi Garcia will emphasise the importance of a win this weekend.
Toulouse need something to arrest their run and claw the other sides in. They start this weekend eight points adrift of safety and the pressure is mounting. A big game of both clubs. A case of neither side dare not loses.
LWOF Ligue 1 Predictions
Nice v Rennes
A good contest expected between two good teams. Nice unbeaten in three, Rennes won seven of the last nine. A tight contest to kick off this weekend’s games.
Nice 1-1 Rennes
Saturday’s Games
Brest v Amiens
Big game for struggling Amiens. The visitors winless in eight. Overall, one win in eleven league games. Pressure mounting on Luka Elsner. Brest fresh off a terrific win against Toulouse.
Brest 2-0 Amiens
Marseille v Angers
Second place Marseille will fancy extending their unbeaten run to ten games when Angers visit the Stade Velodrome. But the visitors are unbeaten in two.
Marseille 1-0 Angers
Monaco v Strasbourg
Roberto Moreno’s first league opponents that aren’t Paris Saint Germain. A draw and defeat in his opening two league games against the leaders. They will face a tough test against a Strasbourg side who have won three of their last four
Monaco 2-1 Strasbourg
Montpellier v Dijon
Michel Der Zakarian’s team are finding their groove. Montpellier form has improved in recent weeks winning their last two games. Dijon are also improving losing just once in five.
Montpellier 1-0 Dijon
Reims v Metz
The home side are winless in three. Metz unbeaten in three looking for back to back wins for the first time this season. A tough ask against a resolute Reims
Reims 0-0 Metz
Saint Etienne v Nimes
Les Verts are in free fall losing their last four league games. Overall, it’s one win in seven for Claude Puel’s team. Nimes also need a result having lost five of their last six.
Saint Etienne 2-1 Nimes
Lille v Paris Saint-Germain
A big game for both. Lille have lost their last two games. Paris Saint Germain have collected seven wins in their last eight. But they have struggled in this part of France in the past.
Lille 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain
Sunday’s Clashes
Lyon v Toulouse
A must-win game for both. Toulouse have lost ten in a row; Lyon have won just twice in five games.
Lyon 2-0 Toulouse
Nantes v Bordeaux
A crucial derby for both. Nantes going well winning three of their last four. Bordeaux in rotten form losing their last four but did win the reverse fixture.
Nantes 1-0 Bordeaux
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