Sunday's Ligue 1 predictions including Monaco vs. Lyon

Bordeaux vs. Rennes (Sunday, 12.00pm)

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With their fortunes in Ligue 1 going from bad to worse, relegation-threatened Bordeaux welcome European outsiders Rennes to the Matmut Atlantique for Sunday lunchtime's battle.

The hosts fell to a crushing 4-1 defeat at Lorient last time out, while Rennes sealed Dijon's fate with a 5-1 thrashing of the relegated Hiboux in gameweek 34.

We say: Bordeaux 0-2 Rennes

For a team that was so defensively sound during the earliest stages of the season, a Laurent Koscielny-less Bordeaux are lacking inspiration in all areas of the pitch right now.

In contrast, Genesio's Rennes are only looking up and are showing no signs of slowing down in their pursuit of Europe, so we can only back a straightforward win for Les Rouge et Noir.

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Dijon vs. Metz (Sunday, 2.00pm)

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Dijon take on Metz in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with the visitors looking to end a winless run of seven league matches.

The hosts, meanwhile, are guaranteed to finish bottom of Ligue 1 after a tough campaign, so are playing for pride more than anything else.

We say: Dijon 1-1 Metz

We can envisage a share of the spoils between two out-of-sorts sides.

Metz are unlikely to rediscover their form until Niane is fit and firing again next season, while Dijon are preparing for life in Ligue 2.

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Brest vs. Nantes (Sunday, 2.00pm)

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Nantes will aim to take another step towards safety in Ligue 1 when they travel to the Stade Francis-Le Ble to take on local rivals Brest on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts secured a 2-1 comeback win over Saint-Etienne last time out, while Nantes enjoyed victory in similar fashion against Strasbourg in gameweek 34.

We say: Brest 1-2 Nantes

Brest have virtually nothing to play for as the season reaches its climax, and that may be reflected in their performance, but Charbonnier will have an eye for goal as he aims to score in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Nantes are still fighting an uphill battle to drag themselves out of the bottom three, but with Brest normally inconsistent at best, we are tipping Kombouare's side to produce the goods when it matters most this weekend.

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Lorient vs. Angers (Sunday, 2.00pm)

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Lorient will look to build on a 4-1 win over Bordeaux and put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone on Sunday, when they host Angers.

A crucial win last time out put the hosts four points above the drop zone in the Ligue 1 table, while their visitors will look to break a four-game losing run.

We say: Lorient 2-0 Angers

Angers come into this game in a poor run of form, and we see that continuing on Sunday as they take on a Lorient side who will be desperate for a win to boost their survival bid.

A confident Moffi could get on the scoresheet again, firing his side to a crucial victory.

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Nimes vs. Reims (Sunday, 2.00pm)

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Nimes take on Reims in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with the hosts in desperate need of a victory as they look to avoid relegation this season.

Reims, meanwhile, can move into the top half of the table with a win.

We say: Nimes 1-1 Reims

We can envisage Reims drawing their 15th league match of the season on Sunday, with a point frustrating Nimes in their efforts to escape relegation.

There is little time remaining for Plancque's side to escape the drop, so expect them to go all out for the win.

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Montpellier vs. St Etienne (Sunday, 4.05pm)

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Montpellier HSC could see any faint hopes of European qualification dashed this weekend as they prepare to welcome Saint-Etienne to the Stade de la Mosson for Sunday's Ligue 1 battle.

Michel Der Zakarian's side succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at Nice last time out, while Saint-Etienne also came away with zero points from their battle with Brest.

We say: Montpellier HSC 1-1 Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne could hit the all-important 40 point mark in this game and may be tempted to play for a draw, but that could prove costly against Laborde and Delort's deadly double act.

Der Zakarian has far more absentees than he would have liked, though, and Puel's side have shown positive signs in recent weeks, so we are tipping this one to end all square.

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Monaco vs. Lyon (Sunday, 8.00pm)

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Monaco will aim to kill off Lyon's already faint hopes of Ligue 1 glory when the two title-chasing sides do battle at the Stade Louis-II in the pick of the fixtures in gameweek 35.

Les Monegasques kept up their astonishing form with a 1-0 success against Angers last time out, while Lyon suffered a heartbreaking defeat against league leaders Lille.

We say: Monaco 1-1 Lyon

While Monaco are so often reliant on Ben Yedder, the loss of Golovin cannot be overlooked, as they have won 83% of their games with the Russian playmaker on the field compared to just 44% without him.

Lyon have their own injury and morale problems to contend with for this mouthwatering battle, but their spectacular record away from home speaks for itself, and we expect Les Gones to break Monaco's resistance and hold them to a score draw - not that it would do much good for their fleeting title hopes, though.

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