Monaco vs. Reims (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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Monaco will kick off their 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign on Sunday when they welcome Reims to the Stade Louis II for the opening round of fixtures.
The home side ended the 2019-20 campaign in ninth before the coronavirus pandemic led to the abandonment of the season, while Reims secured sixth spot and a route into the Europa League.
We say: Monaco 3-1 Reims
Kovac will be desperate to see his Monaco side get off to the perfect start this weekend, and while Reims have lost Disasi to their weekend opponents, the away side are certainly not to be underestimated. However, Monaco's front three have the pace and skill to cause the Reims defence plenty of problems, so we are backing the home side to come out on top in the opening round of fixtures.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 2.5 goals.
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Lorient vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Lorient will mark their return to the pinnacle of French football with a home fixture against Strasbourg in the opening weekend of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign.
Meanwhile, Strasbourg are now entering their fourth consecutive season of top-flight football and managed to secure a top-ten finish upon the curtailment of the 2019-20 campaign.
We say: Lorient 1-1 Strasbourg
Both sides will be going into the new campaign with completely different expectations, but there is no reason for Lorient to believe that they cannot walk away from this game with something to show for their efforts. Last season's Ligue 2 champions enjoyed a strong pre-season and it remains to be seen how some Strasbourg players will be feeling after their recent coronavirus diagnoses, so we expect the two clubs to play out a closely-fought draw on Sunday afternoon.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 2.5 goals.
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Nimes vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Nimes will be looking to make it five straight wins over Brest in all competitions when the two teams lock horns on the opening weekend of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign.
There had been suggestions that this match could be postponed after Nimes confirmed four cases of coronavirus in their squad, but the contest is, as it stands, due to go ahead on Sunday afternoon.
We say: Nimes 1-1 Brest
Both teams will be desperate to get their campaigns off to a winning start, but a draw would not be the worst result in the world. There should be a number of new players on display in this particular game, and we are struggling to separate the two sides on the afternoon.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a draw or an away win.
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Nice vs. Lens (Sunday, 4.00pm)
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Back in Ligue 1 for the first time since 2014-15, Lens will open their 2020-21 top-flight campaign away to Nice on Sunday afternoon.
Lens secured a return to the top level courtesy of finishing second in Ligue 2 last term, while Nice claimed fifth in Ligue 1, although neither side were able to finish their respective campaigns due to the coronavirus outbreak.
We say: Nice 2-0 Lens
Lens will fancy their chances of causing some problems this weekend, but it is a tough ask to overcome Nice in their first game back at this level of football. We are expecting the hosts to emerge victorious, with Danish striker Dolberg potentially making the difference in the final third of the field.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a draw or an away win.
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Barney Corkhill
