Saturday's Ligue 1 predictions including Nice vs. Marseille

Metz vs. Rennes (Saturday, 12.00pm)

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Seventh meets eighth in Saturday lunchtime's Ligue 1 showdown as Metz welcome fellow European outsiders Rennes to the Stade Saint-Symphorien.

The hosts failed to return to winning ways last time out as they played out a 2-2 draw with Lens, while Bruno Genesio got off the mark at Rennes, who beat Strasbourg 1-0.

We say: Metz 1-1 Rennes

This is an extremely difficult game to call between a Metz side who flatter to deceive at home and a Rennes side who are still finding their feet under Genesio. The hosts hardly boast a strong record against Les Rouge et Noir either, but six of the last eight games between these two clubs at the Stade Saint-Symphorien have ended with the spoils shared, and we can envisage another stalemate this weekend.

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Nice vs. Marseille (Saturday, 4.00pm)

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Two sides who appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks prepare for battle at the Allianz Riviera as Nice play host to Marseille in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Les Aiglons played out a 1-1 draw with Lorient last time out, while Marseille secured back-to-back wins by beating Brest 3-1.

We say: Nice 1-2 Marseille

Marseille have enjoyed unprecedented success against Nice in recent years and are firmly on the up with Sampaoli in control of the reins. The loss of Kamara is certainly a blow to the visitors, and Ursea's Nice have been producing the goods recently as well, but we are still backing Les Olympiens to continue their strong start under Sampaoli with a first Ligue 1 away win of 2021.

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