Monaco vs. Brest (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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Fresh from a memorable triumph at reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco will aim to maintain their Ligue 1 title charge when they play host to an inconsistent Brest on Sunday lunchtime.
While the hosts returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion last time out, 12th-placed Brest fell to a thrilling 3-2 defeat to Lyon.
We say: Monaco 3-1 Brest
Neither of these two sides' defences have proven themselves to be impenetrable this season, although a clean sheet at PSG is certainly something to be celebrated for Monaco. The return of Lucas will help beef up the visitors' midfield, but Monaco appear to be virtually unstoppable right now and should keep the pressure on the top three with another crucial victory this weekend.
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Angers vs. Lens (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Angers take on Lens in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with the two sides separated by only five points in the top half of the table.
The home side won the reverse fixture 3-1 in Lens in November.
We say: Angers 1-2 Lens
We can envisage Lens gaining revenge on their opponents by extending their unbeaten run with a marginal victory on Sunday.
With the likes of Kakuta in attack, the visitors appear to have a little more class and confidence going forward, although that could change if Bahoken returns from injury for Angers.
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Lorient vs. St Etienne (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Saint-Etienne will endeavour to stretch their unbeaten Ligue 1 streak to six matches when they take on relegation-threatened Lorient at the Stade du Moustoir on Sunday afternoon.
In contrast, the hosts have slumped to back-to-back defeats to Lille and Nimes after a previously-promising run of performances.
We say: Lorient 1-2 Saint-Etienne
Pelissier admitted that the loss of Morel is a big blow to his side, and the veteran's potential absence this weekend could spell trouble once again for the hosts. Saint-Etienne's resilient defence has been a staple of their improved fortunes recently, and with confidence high in the Verts camp, we are backing a narrow away win.
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Reims vs. Montpellier (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Montpellier HSC will be aiming to win their fourth game on the bounce in Ligue 1 when they travel to Reims for Sunday afternoon's Ligue 1 showdown.
The hosts, meanwhile, are winless in five across all competitions and have one last chance to pick up three points in the month of February.
We say: Reims 1-2 Montpellier HSC
Dia's alarming drop in form has to end at some point, and Montpellier's ageing defence has not been renowned for their clean sheet record this term. However, the visitors are excelling in all departments amid their impressive turnaround in fortunes, and in spite of the fact that Reims thrashed them earlier in the season, we expect Der Zakarian's men to avenge that defeat with a fourth consecutive win here.
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Nimes vs. Nantes (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Nimes host Nantes on Sunday in a Ligue 1 relegation battle, with newly-appointed managers from both sides heading into this fixture yet to lose in the league since taking charge of their respective clubs earlier this month.
The Crocodiles in 17th sit one place above the visitors, who currently occupy the relegation playoff position, and a win for either side would provide a huge boost in their quest to avoid the drop.
We say: Nimes 2-1 Nantes
Both Nimes and Nantes will view this weekend's clash as a great opportunity to claim all three points as they aim to clamber to safety.
The Canaries got the better of the Crocodiles earlier this season, but Sunday's hosts might just have enough to edge out the visitors on Sunday in what is expected to be a tight encounter at the Costieres Stadium.
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Lille vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, 4.05pm)
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Lille will be aiming to consign their dampening Europa League exit to history when they take on Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts continue to lead the way at the top of the rankings, whereas Strasbourg have risen to 15th amid an inconsistent run of form.
We say: Lille 2-0 Strasbourg
Strasbourg's away form is actually rather respectable, but Laurey would need 10/10 performances from every player on the pitch if they are to have any chance of walking away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with something to show for it. Lille continue to sweep aside the competition in the league and do not concede many goals at home, so we can only envisage another win for the league leaders on Sunday.
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Marseille vs. Lyon (Sunday, 8.00pm)
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The 118th Choc des Olympiques takes place at the Orange Velodrome on Sunday evening as Marseille do battle with fierce rivals Lyon.
The two giants of the French game are enduring contrasting campaigns, though, with Lyon firmly in the mix with the title-chasing bunch while the hosts only have a slim chance of qualifying for Europe now.
We say: Marseille 1-2 Lyon
Marseille will be determined to give a good account of themselves before the much-admired Sampaoli takes the reins, and they would love nothing more than to get one over their bitter rivals to kickstart an upturn in fortunes. However, Lyon's prowess on the road cannot be understated, and with Les Gones desperate to keep the pressure on league leaders Lille, we are backing a narrow away win in this pulsating derby.
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Barney Corkhill
