Monaco vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm)
© Reuters
Following a late win in midweek, Monaco continue their pursuit of Ligue 1's top three with a New Year's Day fixture at home to lowly Brest.
The teams convene at Stade Louis II, four days after the hosts snatched a 3-2 victory at Auxerre and their 17th-placed opponents lost to Lyon; leaving them just inside the drop zone.
We say: Monaco 3-1 Brest
Monaco's in-form forwards will be looking to fill their boots on their first outing of 2023, as their opening opponents of the new year are vulnerable at the back. Brest can cause problems for a home side which has defensive issues of their own, but will find the Monegasques' weight of attacking talent too much to withstand.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Nantes vs. Auxerre (Sunday, 2.00pm)
© Reuters
Both battling at the wrong end of the Ligue 1 table heading into 2023, Nantes and Auxerre kick off the new year in search of three precious points on Sunday.
With just five wins between them all season, neither side was able to claim victory upon their return to competitive action, leaving them separated by only one point in the standings.
We say: Nantes 1-0 Auxerre
As Auxerre do not travel well, it seems that Nantes are in prime position to claim maximum points from this bottom-four contest, which could be a tense encounter given both teams' current status. Therefore, a single goal could win it for the home side.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Toulouse vs. Ajaccio (Sunday, 2.00pm)
© Reuters
A pair of newly-promoted sides in Ligue 1 will square off on New Year's Day, as Toulouse search for their first win in the top flight since October when they host Ajaccio at Stadium de Toulouse.
Le Tefece ended 2022 on a sour note as they were thumped 6-1 by Marseille and are currently a point above Ajaccio, who defeated Angers 1-0 on Wednesday.
We say: Toulouse 1-1 Ajaccio
The home team might be a little shell-shocked given what happened to them earlier this week at the hands of Marseille.
Fortunately, they are facing a team with less quality than OM, so they should have an easier time containing Ajaccio, who are more known for their defending than attacking.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Angers vs. Lorient (Sunday, 2.00pm)
© Reuters
Crisis club Angers aim to halt their slide towards the Ligue 1 trapdoor on Sunday, as they welcome mid-table Lorient to Stade Raymond Kopa.
While the Loire club lost for an eighth straight league game on their return from the World Cup break, their New Year's Day opponents remain in the mix for European qualification despite being beaten by Montpellier last time out.
We say: Angers 1-2 Lorient
While faltering form has seen Lorient slip down the table, facing a side that simply cannot keep the back door shut could be the perfect way to start 2023. Angers are demoralised by recent events and must now host a team that tends to travel well, so their search for a win will go on.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Lyon vs. Clermont (Sunday, 4.00pm)
© Reuters
Clermont will begin 2023 in search of their first-ever victory over Lyon in Ligue 1 when they head to Groupama Stadium to face them on Sunday.
OL ended 2022 with a 4-2 victory over Brest, while Clermont dropped their second successive league fixture, 2-0 at home to Lille.
We say: Lyon 3-1 Clermont
Lyon still look a little suspect at times defending, but given the form of Lacazette and the kind of creativity they can call upon in the midfield, we expect they will have enough to power past Clermont on New Year's Day.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Lens vs. PSG (Sunday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
A top-of-the-table Ligue 1 clash pits the champions against the unexpected challengers on New Year's Day, as Lens welcome Paris Saint-Germain to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Franck Haise's side were held to a goalless draw by Nice in their first game back since the World Cup, while Les Parisiens left it very late indeed to defeat Strasbourg 2-1.
We say: Lens 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain
No Neymar? No Messi? No fun for PSG. While Mbappe is always capable of conjuring up some game-changing moments for the champions, even his powers are somewhat limited when the famed trifecta is broken up.
Lens have swept aside every foe that has visited their fortress this term, and while victory over the defensively-sound Parisiens may still be a step too far, we have faith in Haise's side to hold the champions to a low-scoring draw.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How PSG could line up against Lens
Ben Knapton
