Lille vs. Nantes (Saturday, 4.00pm)
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Reigning Ligue 1 champions Lille will aim to rise into the top half of the table this weekend as Nantes pay a visit to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Jocelyn Gourvennec's side overcame Red Bull Salzburg 1-0 in the Champions League in midweek, while the visitors' most recent clash saw them go down 3-1 to Paris Saint-Germain.
We say: Lille 2-1 Nantes
Nantes starting the day above Lille in the table truly represents the champions' alarming fall from grace, but Gourvennec will hope to see his side take inspiration from their positive results in Europe.
Having struggled to make a game of it against PSG with a man advantage, Nantes' poor fortunes on the road are set to continue as Lille - boosted by some key returns - continue their unbeaten streak at home.
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Nice vs. Metz (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Having returned to winning ways in Ligue 1 following the international break, Nice prepare to welcome Metz to the Allianz Riviera on Saturday night.
Christophe Galtier's side sunk newly-promoted Clermont 2-1 in gameweek 14, while the visitors played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Bordeaux.
We say: Nice 2-0 Metz
Nice were arguably fortunate to walk away from their encounter with Clermont with all three points in the bag, and Galtier cannot expect his side to blow away Metz with ease.
However, the visitors just cannot keep the back door shut and will have a hard time breaking down this Aiglons defence, so we can only back the hosts to post back-to-back wins in routine fashion.
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St Etienne vs. PSG (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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Seeking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain travel to Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 on Sunday lunchtime.
Mauricio Pochettino's side sit 11 points clear at the top of the table as things stand, while Claude Puel's men occupy 19th spot but are only one point adrift of safety.
We say: Saint-Etienne 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain
With so many midfielders absent through injury, the onus will be on PSG's famed attackers to deliver the goods this weekend, with a depleted Saint-Etienne defence in for a rough ride.
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> How PSG could line up against Saint-Etienne
Bordeaux vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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In what may be a fantastic watch for the neutrals, Bordeaux play host to Brest in Sunday's Ligue 1 encounter at the Matmut Atlantique.
The hosts were involved in a thrilling share of the spoils with Metz last time out, while Les Pirates ran out 4-0 winners over Champions League-chasing Lens.
We say: Bordeaux 1-3 Brest
Brest's goalscoring exploits under Der Zakarian have never been called into question, but Les Pirates now seem to have developed the mental fortitude to help them rise away from the relegation crop.
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Lorient vs. Rennes (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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High-flying Rennes take a short trip within Brittany to the Stade Yves Allainmat where they will face Lorient in a Breton derby on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors continue to exceed expectations, currently sitting third in the table, whilst their hosts come into the game on a very poor run of form.
We say: Lorient 1-2 Rennes
Local derbies always throw a curveball into the mix but Rennes still go into this match as favourites. Eight victories in their last 10 games is too strong to ignore and Lorient look set to see their winless run continue.
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Monaco vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Monaco and Strasbourg meet at Stade Louis II in Ligue 1 action on Sunday afternoon in what is a six-pointer in the fight to get into the European places.
The hosts sit eighth in the table, one place behind their upcoming opponents, but with the two sides separated only by goal difference.
We say: Monaco 2-1 Strasbourg
Whilst Strasbourg will be better rested than Monaco, who played just 72 hours earlier, the hosts have the momentum from a win in that game to draw upon.
They also have more class in their squad and we are backing them to snatch all three points here with a narrow win.
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Reims vs. Clermont (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Ligue 1 newcomers Clermont travel to the Stade Auguste-Delaune II to take on Reims in what is looking like it could turn out to be a relegation six-pointer.
Neither side is in good form, which has seen the hosts drop to 15th in the table and the visitors fall into the relegation playoff spot.
We say: Reims 2-1 Clermont
With both teams desperate for a long-awaited win, this game could easily go either way. Both sides' winless streaks going on courtesy of a draw is certainly not out of the question, but we are backing the hosts' to use their experience to gain a crucial victory.
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Montpellier vs. Lyon (Sunday, 4.00pm)
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Montpellier HSC welcome Lyon to Stade de la Mosson on Sunday afternoon for a Ligue 1 mid-table clash.
The two sides currently sit ninth and 10th in the table respectively and have near identical records, each with 19 points, 21 goals scored and 21 goals conceded.
We say: Montpellier HSC 0-1 Lyon
Montpellier beat Lyon twice last season, but look a different prospect with some important absentees - now including their captain. The visitors will have some fresh legs after rotating during the week and we are backing them to secure a narrow away victory.
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Marseille vs. Troyes (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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After the abandonment of their most recent Ligue 1 meeting with Lyon, Marseille will return to domestic action on Sunday, as Troyes arrive at the Stade Velodrome.
Prior to the dramatic events last weekend, Jorge Sampaoli's side had gone five games without a defeat to climb to fifth spot in the Ligue 1 table, while their visitors are struggling in the bottom five.
We say: Marseille 2-1 Troyes
Marseille will be wounded from a heavy defeat in midweek, but they should still have enough quality to get over the line on Sunday.
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Barney Corkhill
