Toulouse vs. Nice (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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Toulouse and Nice both begin their respective new adventures in Ligue 1 in Sunday's season opener at the Stadium Municipal.
The hosts fended off competition from the other 19 sides in Ligue 2 to finish at the top of the pile in 2021-22, while Les Aiglons ended up in fifth in the top flight.
We say: Toulouse 0-1 Nice
Whether Nice's backline can remain as steadfast as they did under Galtier this season remains to be seen, and Favre has hardly enjoyed a confidence-boosting set of results in pre-season.
Toulouse's summer successes against top-level opposition ought to give the home crowd hope that an opening-day shock could be on the cards, but the attacking prowess of Amine Gouiri and Andy Delort can propel Nice to their first three points of the season.
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Lille vs. Auxerre (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Auxerre's first game back in Ligue 1 for the 2022-23 season sees them travel to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to face dethroned champions Lille on Sunday.
Les Dogues could only muster a 10th-placed finish under Jocelyn Gourvennec last season, while their visitors overcame Saint-Etienne in the playoffs to rise into the top tier.
We say: Lille 2-0 Auxerre
Lille's reshuffled defence may take a bit of time to gel with one another, but they should not be troubled by Auxerre this weekend, as Furlan's side experience a baptism of fire on their return to the big time.
The visitors may have got the better of Ligue 1 opposition in Saint-Etienne last season, but the Fonseca revolution ought to begin in winning fashion for Les Dogues here.
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Angers vs. Nantes (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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After securing a top half finish and winning the Coupe de France last term, Nantes will hope that they can enjoy another successful season this time around, beginning with an away encounter against Angers.
The visitors, meanwhile, ended the 2021-22 campaign in 14th place, and their main priority for this season will be to avoid a relegation battle.
We say: Angers 1-1 Nantes
Although Angers have home advantage, Nantes are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Saturday's opponents, and we think they will take a point from Sunday's away trip.
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Montpellier vs. Troyes (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Following a disappointing 2021-22 season, Montpellier HSC will be keen to get off to a winning start when they welcome Troyes to Stade de la Mosson on Sunday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are looking forward to a second straight Ligue 1 campaign after avoiding relegation in their return to the top flight last season.
We say: Montpellier HSC 1-1 Troyes
Although Montpellier's struggles at the end of last term have continued into pre-season, they have usually pick up a positive result against Troyes, and we think they will manage to take a point from Sunday's contest.
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Lens vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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As Ligue 1 resumes for its 2022-23 campaign, the opening round sees Lens welcome Brest to Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday.
While the hosts have traditionally struggled on the first day of a new season, losing five of their last six in the top flight, their Breton visitors' record is even worse - no wins in nine.
We say: Lens 2-1 Brest
Surely something must give, as both teams seek to end their dismal opening-day records, and it is most likely that Lens will do so, due to a combination of home advantage and their greater firepower up front.
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Rennes vs. Lorient (Sunday, 4.05pm)
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Following a superb season in Ligue 1 last term, Rennes get their 2022-23 campaign under way on Sunday, as they welcome Breton rivals Lorient to Roazhon Park.
The hosts have been consistent top-six finishers in recent years, while their visitors have twice scraped clear of relegation since returning to the top flight in 2020.
We say: Rennes 3-1 Lorient
As Rennes have managed to keep most of their squad intact, amid interest from across Europe, they are well-placed to kick off the new season with an authoritative win. Lorient's woes on the road are unlikely to end against their local rivals, due to a lack of punch in attack.
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Marseille vs. Reims (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Marseille will open their 2022-23 Ligue 1 campaign with high expectations, hosting Reims at Stade Velodrome this weekend.
Les Olympiens finished second in 2021-22 with 71 points, the most they have accumulated in a domestic season since 2017-18, while Reims went unbeaten in their final three road encounters of that Ligue 1 campaign, eventually ending up in 12th.
We say: Marseille 1-0 Reims
Without arguably their two most significant difference makers from a season ago, it could take a while for Reims to adjust their game accordingly, though they should be a difficult team to break down defensively once again.
On the other side, the core of the Marseille team from last season are back, and they have made some new signings which should make them a more dynamic team in the attack, so we expect their individual talent to eventually find a way through a Reims backline that could be put under a lot of pressure throughout this contest.
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Ben Knapton
