Lille vs. Lyon (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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Two giants of the French game languishing in mid-table meet at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday lunchtime as Lille play host to Lyon.
The reigning champions currently occupy 11th spot in the standings - one place and one point better off than their recently-sanctioned opponents, who do have a game in hand.
We say: Lille 2-0 Lyon
With injury concerns in defence and no Paqueta available, an inconsistent Lyon side could be in for a long afternoon at the home of a rejuvenated Lille outfit.
The hosts have also had more time to recover from their European exploits and very rarely fail to produce the goods in front of their own fans, so we have faith in Les Dogues to get over the line with minimal difficulty.
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Troyes vs. Bordeaux (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Two sides who are dangerously close to the relegation line in the early stages of this Ligue 1 campaign will face each other this weekend as Troyes play host to Bordeaux from Stade de l'Aube on Sunday.
The Ligue 2 winners from a season ago were unlucky to drop a 2-1 decision to reigning top-flight champions Lille 2-1 last weekend, while Les Girondins are only just above the relegation play-off line because they have scored more goals for than Clermont.
We say: Troyes 1-1 Bordeaux
Troyes have scored the second-fewest goals in the league so far this season (16), while Bordeaux have allowed the most, so we expect it to be a close game between two sides desperate to earn points.
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Metz vs. Lorient (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Lorient have an opportunity to end a 10-match winless run when they travel to Stade Saint-Symphorien to face Metz on Sunday.
The side from Bretagne have been shut out of their last four Ligue 1 contests, while Metz are second from the bottom, but only three points behind Lorient in the table.
We say: Metz 1-1 Lorient
When you look at the storylines heading into this match with Metz being so poor at home but Lorient struggling as much on the road, it seems like a draw is the logical result given that neither team have been exceptional in any one department this season, but they usually do just enough to get by once in a while.
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Rennes vs. Nice (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Having been granted a rare midweek rest, Rennes resume Ligue 1 action on Sunday with the visit of Nice to the Roazhon Park.
Bruno Genesio's side saw their Europa Conference League clash with Tottenham Hotspur postponed earlier this week, while Les Aiglons most recently went down 3-0 to Strasbourg.
We say: Rennes 1-0 Nice
Rennes players may be relishing the extra rest they have been granted after the postponement of Wednesday's game, with Genesio needing his attackers firing on all cylinders against the league's best away defence.
Galtier will demand an immediate response to last week's setback, but the absence of Delort is a big blow, and we are backing Les Rouge et Noir to keep their momentum going with yet another triumph.
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Angers vs. Clermont (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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For the first time in Ligue 1 history, Angers will welcome Clermont to Stade Raymond Kopa in Western France on matchday 18.
Les Scoistes picked their first victory of December last Sunday, beating Stade de Reims 2-1, while Les Lanciers are in the midst of a seven-game winless run following their 1-0 defeat at Montpellier.
We say: Angers 1-0 Clermont
Both teams know how to keep a game close, and we expect nothing different from this encounter, but Clermont are still learning what it takes to win those tight matches, whereas Angers are full of confidence which is understandable given their unexpected success early on.
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Strasbourg vs. Marseille (Sunday, 4.00pm)
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Fresh from a resounding 3-0 win at Christophe Galtier's Nice, Strasbourg return to the Stade de la Meinau to take on Marseille on Sunday in Ligue 1.
Meanwhile, Les Olympiens beat Lokomotiv Moscow 1-0 in the Europa League, but it was not enough to see them clinch a top-two spot in the group.
We say: Strasbourg 3-2 Marseille
Strasbourg have been given a new lease of life under Stephan and are reaping the rewards, with another goal-laden showing against a weary Marseille potentially on the cards.
The hosts' defence is hardly impenetrable either, but Les Coureurs are on cloud nine at the minute, and we expect their eye-catching run to continue with all three points in what should be a fantastic watch for the neutrals.
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PSG vs. Monaco (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Seeking to avoid a third game without success in Ligue 1, runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain welcome Monaco to the Parc des Princes for Sunday's battle.
Mauricio Pochettino's men remain 11 points clear atop the rankings after 17 games, while Les Monegasques are six places and 16 points worse off than the capital outfit.
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Monaco
PSG are struggling to convince the critics that they truly are a different beast this term, but Monaco have also had their own fair share of struggles this season, particularly away from home.
Pochettino will boast the fresher crop of players - despite Kovac's best efforts to give his big-hitters ample time to recover from Thursday's travails - and a near full-strength PSG side playing at their headquarters ought to pull through by a narrow margin.
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> How PSG could line up against Monaco
> PSG injury, suspension list vs. Monaco
Barney Corkhill
