Rennes vs. Nantes (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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The Brittany bragging rights are on the line at Roazhon Park this Sunday as Rennes play host to rivals Nantes in gameweek 32 of Ligue 1.
Bruno Genesio's side played out a 2-2 stalemate with Reims last time out, while Nantes' hopes of survival suffered another blow in a 2-1 loss to Nice.
We say: Rennes 2-1 Nantes
Nantes never seem to have any problems putting the ball into the back of the net, but their leaky defence continues to threaten their prospects of another season in the big time. Genesio is still finding his feet at Rennes, but he appears to have found the optimal formula for success as Les Rouge et Noir push for the final European spot, so we can only back another win for the in-form hosts.
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Lens vs. Lorient (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Two newly-promoted sides who have endured contrasting seasons prepare to renew hostilities at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday when Lens play host to Lorient in Ligue 1.
The hosts managed to take a point from their battle with title-chasing Lyon last time out, whereas Lorient continued their hot streak with a 1-0 triumph over Brest.
We say: Lens 1-1 Lorient
Lens have lost some key players to their coronavirus outbreak, but they are unlikely to garner much sympathy from Lorient following their own struggles with the disease this season. Given Lens' underwhelming home record, the visitors can afford to feel confident about claiming another vital win, but Lorient's away form continues to hamper their prospects of another season in the big time, so we can envisage yet another 1-1 draw between the sides at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
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Brest vs. Nimes (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Brest take on Nimes in Ligue 1 on Sunday in a potentially pivotal relegation clash for both sides.
The hosts are currently six points clear of 18th-placed Nimes, so a win could all but secure survival for another season for them, with time running out for the visitors to mount a great escape.
We say: Brest 1-1 Nimes
We can envisage a share of the spoils in Brest on Sunday, with neither side wanting to lose ground on each other.
Nimes' need for a win is greater, though, so they may feel they have to go all out for it as the game progresses.
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St Etienne vs. Bordeaux (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Bordeaux's 2500th Ligue 1 game takes place at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Sunday when they take on Saint-Etienne in gameweek 32.
Les Verts eased to a 2-0 win over Nimes in their most recent fixture, while Bordeaux's torrid fortunes continued with a 3-2 defeat to Strasbourg, and both sides are level on 36 points with seven games left to play.
We say: Saint-Etienne 2-1 Bordeaux
With Hwang leading the line, Bordeaux need no lessons in finding the back of the net, and they will aspire to make that attacking prowess pay off against a suspect Saint-Etienne defence. However, the visitors' awful form does not appear to be ending anytime soon, and Saint-Etienne have taken the spoils more often that not in this fixture during recent seasons, so we are backing Puel's men to leapfrog their opponents with a slender victory on home soil.
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Nice vs. Reims (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Nice take on Reims in a mid-table clash in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
Both sides head into this match in decent form, with Nice unbeaten in five matches and Reims in seven.
We say: Nice 2-1 Reims
We expect an entertaining affair between two in-form sides on Sunday, but Nice could have a little too much quality for the visitors.
Should Dia deliver as he so often has this season, though, Reims certainly have a chance of maintaining their unbeaten run.
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Monaco vs. Dijon (Sunday, 4.05pm)
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Having broken into the top three of the Ligue 1 table, Monaco will look to make a statement of intent when they welcome basement side Dijon to the Stade Louis II on Sunday afternoon.
While the visitors are mathematically still capable of pulling off a great escape, it would take a footballing miracle for David Linares to somehow salvage his side's top-flight status now.
We say: Monaco 3-0 Dijon
Monaco may not be at their free-flowing best after a taxing week, but the title-chasing Monegasques are still expected to sweep aside a Dijon team whose fate should be sealed within the next couple of weeks. Linares has affirmed that Les Hiboux will fight until the very end, but their efforts will likely prove futile against Ben Yedder and co at the Stade Louis II.
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Lyon vs. Angers (Sunday, 8.00pm)
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Lyon will be more desperate than ever to reignite their Ligue 1 title charge when they welcome Angers to the Groupama Stadium for Sunday evening's top-flight fixture.
While the hosts are battling for glory as the season enters its business end, Angers realistically have very little to play for in the coming weeks.
We say: Lyon 1-0 Angers
Lyon are at risk of slipping out of the title race entirely if they fail to pull themselves out of their recent rut, and only just managing to scrape past Red Star in the cup is hardly going to lead to any great surge of optimism. Angers have proved their resilience on the road this week and will hope to take advantage of a growing Lyon injury list, but we still think Garcia's side have what it takes to get back on track, although the margin of victory may be slender.
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Barney Corkhill
