Angers vs. Nice (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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Nice round off a taxing week in Ligue 1 with a trip to an Angers side who have lost a fair bit of momentum in recent weeks on Sunday lunchtime.
Gerald Baticle's side were held to a 2-2 draw by basement boys Saint-Etienne last time out, whereas Les Aiglons played out a 1-1 draw with Marseille in midweek.
We say: Angers 1-2 Nice
The return of Delort gives Nice that extra attacking edge which was sorely needed in their meeting with Marseille, and no-one can question the visitors' goalscoring exploits when they are in the mood.
Angers will hope to see their week's worth of rest do them the world of good against Galtier's fatigued crop, but Baticle's men are starting to struggle for consistency, and we expect them to just fall short this time.
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Bordeaux vs. Reims (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Two Ligue 1 sides hovering just above the relegation zone will lock horns on Sunday afternoon as Bordeaux welcome Reims to the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.
The visitors have failed to win each of their last three away matches, while the hosts are one of four French top-flight teams who are yet to win on home soil so far this season.
We say: Bordeaux 1-1 Reims
Both teams will fancy their chances of claiming all three points on Sunday, as they look to turn their fortunes around and climb away from the Ligue 1 drop zone.
However, with little to separate these two struggling sides, a score draw could be on the cards at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.
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Montpellier vs. Nantes (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Nantes will aim to continue their impressive start to proceedings in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season when they travel to the Stade de la Mosson on Sunday to take on Montpellier HSC.
Olivier Dall'Oglio's side went down 3-1 to Monaco last weekend, while Les Canaris marched to a 2-1 victory over newly-promoted Clermont.
We say: Montpellier HSC 1-1 Nantes
While Montpellier just cannot hack it away from home, their resilient nature at the Stade de la Mosson should serve them well against a Nantes side who have not got going on the road this term.
The last two fixtures between these sides on Montpellier's turf have ended 1-1, and we can envisage a third two-goal stalemate in succession this weekend.
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Strasbourg vs. Lorient (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Lorient will travel over 600 miles east to the Stade de la Meinau on Sunday afternoon for their Ligue 1 encounter against Strasbourg.
The hosts have won only one of their last four top-flight matches, while the visitors have failed to win any games in this same period – their longest run without a victory since a streak of five matches between December 2020 and January 2021.
We say: Strasbourg 1-1 Lorient
Understandably, Strasbourg and Lorient are sitting in mid-table after inconsistent starts to the 2021-22 campaign, though both sides will be keen to put a solid run of form together in the coming weeks to ensure they challenge for a place in the top half of the table.
However, as there is little to separate these two teams, a closely-fought contest is set to be played out at the Stade de la Meinau, with a score draw potentially on the cards.
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Troyes vs. Rennes (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Rennes will be looking to claim their sixth successive victory across all competitions when they travel to the Stade de l'Aube to face Troyes for their Ligue 1 clash on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts, meanwhile, will be hoping they can extend their unbeaten home run in the French top flight to four matches.
We say: Troyes 1-2 Rennes
With Rennes currently enjoying a five-game winning streak, they will be the strong favourites to come out on top this weekend.
Troyes should not be taken lightly by the visitors, however, and a closely-fought contest is set to be played out at the Stade de l'Aube. Nevertheless, we expect Genesio's men to claim all three points.
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Brest vs. Monaco (Sunday, 4.00pm)
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Still winless in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season, Brest welcome Monaco to the Stade Francis Le-Ble on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts played out an eye-catching 1-1 draw away to champions Lille last time out, while Niko Kovac's side eased past Montpellier 3-1.
We say: Brest 1-3 Monaco
Brest's consistent goalscoring record coupled with Monaco's inability to keep the back door shut on rival territory makes it difficult to envisage a low-scoring encounter this weekend.
However, the visitors appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks and should be feeling the benefits of a week without European football, so we can only back Les Monegasques to get the job done.
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Clermont vs. Marseille (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Two sides struggling for consistency in recent weeks will lock horns on Sunday evening in Ligue 1 as Clermont play host to Marseille.
The hosts fell to a 2-1 defeat against Nantes last time out, while Les Olympiens played out a 1-1 draw in their rearranged fixture with Nice.
We say: Clermont 0-2 Marseille
The potential absence of Bayo would be a bitter blow to Clermont's attacking prowess - with Gastien having an unenviable decision to make there - and Marseille have demonstrated a more resilient nature in recent games.
There will be some jellied legs in Sampaoli's ranks given their hectic week, but with bountiful options for change, we still expect Marseille to pull through and claim a much-needed three points.
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Barney Corkhill
