Monaco vs. Lens (Saturday, 4.00pm)
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Monaco will aim to get off the mark in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season at the third attempt when they welcome Lens to the Stade Louis II on Saturday afternoon.
Niko Kovac's men have already drawn with Nantes and lost to Lorient this season, while the visitors have played out draws with Saint-Etienne and Rennes.
We say: Monaco 1-1 Lens
Monaco have bigger fish to fry right now as they seek to avoid an earlier-than-expected exit from the Champions League, and Lens will need no second invitation to capitalise on their hosts' misfortunes.
Furthermore, the vast majority of Lens players in this group featured in their positive showings against Monaco last season, and we think Haise's men will do enough to claim another point here.
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St Etienne vs. Lille (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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With their title defence off to a wobbly start, Lille will endeavour to claim their first win of the new season on Saturday, when they make the journey to take on Saint-Etienne.
The hosts played out a 2-2 draw with Lens in their most recent battle, while Lille were torn to shreds by Nice, now under the tutelage of title-winning coach Christophe Galtier.
We say: Saint-Etienne 1-2 Lille
Goals are surely on the menu between these two clubs at the weekend, with Lille a shadow of the defensive masters they were under Galtier and Saint-Etienne also struggling to keep the ball away from their own goal.
Gourvennec is already under immense pressure and will be fearing for his future in the dugout with a stretch of underwhelming results, but we can see the champions getting off the mark at the third time of asking in a closely-fought battle.
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Barney Corkhill
