Welcome back to the Last Word on Football’s Ligue 1 previews and predictions. We have reached the 24th round of games which includes a huge clash between Paris Saint Germain and Lyon. Marseille face rock bottom Toulouse, Rennes host Brest and two sides locked together in the table meet as Reims travel to Strasbourg.
Ligue 1 Predictions
Paris Saint Germain Host Lyon
Runaway leaders Paris Saint Germain welcome Lyon to the Parc des Princes as they look to extend their unbeaten to run to twelve league games. Thomas Tuchel’s side are motoring away from the rest and victory over Lyon will extend their winning sequence to five games. Lyon’s form is majorly inconsistent and a disappointing goalless draw with struggling Amiens has heaped the pressure on the players and manager Rudi Garcia.
PSG are looking to continue their title charge on Sunday night with a win against a Lyon battling hard to secure a top-four finish and riches that brings. The Parisians may have to do it without Neymar after he was injured against Montpellier. He sat out Tuesday’s win against Nantes and the severity of his injury is likely to mean he sits out Sunday’s crucial game. PSG will hope to maintain their twelve-point gap at the top, but Lyon need the result themselves after a disappointing run of results in the last four days.
The pressure is slowly increasing on the players and Rudi Garcia after a disappointing run of results which has seen Lyon win three of their last eight games. Their recent record in Paris is rotten too losing their last four trips conceding 14 goals and being overwhelmingly outplayed. The visitors last tasted success in the capital in 2007 securing a 3-2 win. Eleven winless trips have gone by since and Rudi Garcia needs a positive result on Sunday to appease the frustrated Lyon fans.
Strasbourg and Reims Clash in Battle for a European Football Spot
Two unlikely European contenders clash as Strasbourg welcome Reims on Sunday. The home side are fresh off a narrow win against basement side Toulouse while Reims collected a draw with Nice to maintain their place in the top seven.
Strasbourg are looking to maintain their decent run of form having won five of their last eight games and are motoring towards the European places. They find themselves outside those places on goal difference and Thierry Laurey knows Sunday’s clash against a rival is a must-win contest. The home hasn’t drawn a league game since the opening month of the season whereas, Reims have drawn nine of their 23 league games. To put that into perspective, that is the most of any side in Ligue 1. A tough game on Sunday for Strasbourg.
Reims are difficult to beat but wins elude have eluded them in recent weeks winning just one of their last six games. Despite their recent patchy form, Reims are enjoying a terrific season and certainly will look to maintain their place in the top seven.
LWOF Ligue 1 Predictions
Friday’s Game
Angers vs Lille
Two sides in contrasting form clash in the opening game of Round 24. Angers are winless in four losing their last two games, Lille have won their last two games and have notched six wins in their last nine league games.
Angers 1-2 Lille
Saturday’s Games
Amiens vs Monaco
The pressure is increasing at Amiens as their winless run stretches into double figures. Eleven winless games have passed for Luka Elsner and Amiens who now find themselves in the automatic relegation places. Monaco head to Amiens in confident mood having secured a first league win under Roberto Moreno last time out.
Amiens 0-2 Monaco
Dijon vs Nantes
A crucial game for Dijon having lost the big clash with Nimes in midweek. They are seeking a third win in five and are hoping for a positive response against a Nantes side who have lost their last three games.
Dijon 2-1 Nantes
Marseille vs Toulouse
The home side are flying in Ligue 1 having gone unbeaten in their last thirteen league games and next up is a Toulouse side who are winless in thirteen amassing just one point in that time.
Marseille 3-0 Toulouse
Metz vs Bordeaux
Metz are thoroughly enjoying their best run of the season going six unbeaten collecting twelve points in that run. They face a Bordeaux side who are putting their form back on track going unbeaten in three games.
Metz 1-0 Bordeaux
Nice vs Nimes
The home side are unbeaten in seven games and looking to maintain their push for a top-four finish. Nimes have put together back to back wins at the perfect time and now find themselves just three points from safety. A big game for both sides.
Nice 2-1 Nimes
Rennes vs Brest
Rennes will be determined to bounce back from their midweek defeat to Lille. Their form has slightly dipped winning just two of their last five but they will hope to put that right against a Brest side who are winless in two.
Rennes 2-0 Brest
Sunday’s Games
Montpellier vs Saint Etienne
A must game for two sides looking to bounce back. Montpellier are winless in two, Saint Etienne have lost five of their last six games with the pressure mounting on Claude Puel.
Montpellier 1-0 Saint Etienne
Paris Saint Germain vs Lyon
A key clash for both sides. PSG have won four in a row; Lyon are winless in two games and haven’t won in Paris for over a decade.
Paris Saint Germain 3-1 Lyon
Strasbourg vs Reims
The home side have won five of their last eight games and are slowly climbing the table. Visitors Reims have won just once in six and must win to maintain their top seven place.
Strasbourg 1-1 Reims
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