SCORES:
Raphaël: 46
Luke: 41
Game of the week: Lyon v Lille, Sunday 19:45 (UK)
Raphaël:
Lens can cement their status as PSG’s main challengers this season as they host Toulouse on Friday night, and it’s hard to look past a slender but assured win for Franck Haise’s men, who have conceded just the one goal in their last six games, seeing out four 1-0 scorelines in that run. PSG should make light work of a Troyes side who nonetheless have looked prolific going forward.
An early onset of Marseille’s customary mid-season crisis means Strasbourg have a shot at getting a result on Saturday, but the visitors should have enough to put an end to their three-game losing run. A battle of the interim managers should see an entertaining if chaotic game between Brest and Reims, while Rennes will be looking to make amends for their midweek collapse in Istanbul. Nice will have likely been drained by their Conference League win, making them the perfect prey for a Lorient team looking to get back on track after two consecutive draws. The weekend’s action finishes up with an enticing tactical battle between Laurent Blanc and Paulo Fonseca – Lille’s goalscoring form should see them through what promises to be an open game.
Luke:
Lorient v Nice is one of the most intriguing fixtures of this gameweek. Going into the season, one would have assumed that of the two, Nice would be the ones challenging for Europe. However, it hasn’t transpired like that thus far. After an incredible start, Lorient have begun to stutter in recent weeks, although they still occupy a place on the podium. Nice have struggled for fluency and consistency this season, but they put in one of their best performances of the season against Partizan Belgrade on Thursday. It will be interesting to see if they can carry that form into domestic competition.
Paris Saint-Germain should make light work of Troyes, whilst at least in theory, Monaco shouldn’t have any issues at home against Angers. Rennes v Montpellier is a game that promises goals, and the Lens fairytale should continue when they face Toulouse at home. Lyon v Lille is the headline act this weekend, and it is difficult to call. Lille put four past Monaco last week, and are on their best run of the season, whilst Lyon will be hoping for back-to-back victories under new manager Laurent Blanc. After a brilliant start, Igor Tudor’s Marseille have hit a rough patch, and they are winless in their last two in Ligue 1. In Europe, they are in need of a result against Tottenham Hotspur early next week if they are to progress to the Champions League knockout stages. That match could certainly distract them from the task at hand against Strasbourg. Julien Stéphan’s side will be sniffing an opportunity for an upset.
Raphaël’s full predictions:
Lens 1-0 Toulouse
PSG 5-2 Troyes
Strasbourg 2-2 Marseille
Auxerre 0-0 Ajaccio
Monaco 1-0 Angers
Nantes 0-1 Clermont
Brest 2-2 Reims
Rennes 4-2 Montpellier
Lorient 3-0 Nice
Lyon 2-3 Lille
Luke’s full predictions:
Lens 2-0 Toulouse
PSG 4-0 Troyes
Strasbourg 2-1 Marseille
Auxerre 2-0 Ajaccio
Monaco 3-1 Angers
Nantes 1-0 Clermont Foot
Brest 1-1 Reims
Rennes 3-2 Montpellier
Lorient 1-2 Nice
Lyon 2-2 Lille
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