Lorient vs. Rennes (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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Sunday's Ligue 1 action begins with an intriguing Derby Breton, where a leaky Lorient side welcome a Rennes side on a two-game losing streak to the Stade du Moustoir for the lunchtime kickoff.
Les Merlus came from 3-1 down to snatch a point in a 3-3 draw with Lyon two weekends ago, while their visitors were powerless to quell the Paris Saint-Germain juggernaut, losing 3-1 to the champions.
We say: Lorient 1-3 Rennes
Rennes' trio of away fixtures this term have been nothing to write home about, but the floodgates could open for Genesio's Terrier-reinforced attack on Sunday, where a shaky Lorient rearguard should not emerge unscathed.
Le Bris's team are rarely kept at arm's length on their own patch either, but having enjoyed a timely break amid a minor downturn in fortunes, a refreshed Rouges et Noir should travel home with all three points and the Brittany bragging rights.
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Lille vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Having both played out 1-1 draws before the most recent international break, Lille and Brest seek a return to victorious ways in Ligue 1 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday.
Paulo Fonseca's team came from behind to hold Lens to a two-goal stalemate a fortnight ago, while their visitors left it late to deny Toulouse all three points.
We say: Lille 1-0 Brest
Barring their surprise defeat at the hands of Reims a few weeks back, Lille are almost always the favourites when they step out onto familiar territory, but injuries and suspensions will threaten their chances of a swift return to winning ways.
Brest's defensive nous is well-documented too, but Les Pirates have disciplinary concerns of their own to work around and have experienced little joy on Lille's turf down the years, so we still expect Fonseca's crop to come up trumps, albeit by a narrow margin.
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Nantes vs. Montpellier (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Nantes welcome Montpellier HSC to Stade de la Beaujoire in round nine of Ligue 1 action on Sunday.
Both clubs are separated by three places in the table, but an away win takes the visitors above their ninth-placed hosts.
We say: Nantes 2-2 Montpellier HSC
Sunday's game should be entertaining, but a score draw could be on the cards for teams expected to cancel each other out.
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Toulouse vs. Reims (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Aiming to stretch their unbeaten run across all tournaments to four matches, Toulouse return to Ligue 1 action with the visit of Reims to Stadium Municipal on Sunday.
Les Violets went into the international break on the back of a 1-1 draw with Brest, while their visitors were put to the sword 3-1 by leaders Monaco with the help of an old flame.
We say: Toulouse 1-0 Reims
Plagued by a handful of fresh injury concerns to key players, Reims' trip to Stadium Municipal could be a miserable affair for Still's side, who are without their leading goalscorer and second-highest assister in Teuma.
Les Rouges et Blancs have struggled for defensive resilience on the road either way, and with Toulouse often grinding out results in front of their own supporters, we can envisage Les Violets prolonging their unbeaten record while keeping a clean sheet in the process.
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Monaco vs. Metz (Sunday, 4.05pm)
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Monaco can extend their winning run in Ligue 1 to three matches when they host Metz on Sunday at Stade Louis II in the Principality.
Heading into matchday nine, Les Monegasques are a point above Nice for first in the top-flight table following a 3-1 win over Reims the last time out, while Les Grenats are in early relegation danger, a point above that line after losing their previous encounter versus Nice, 1-0.
We say: Monaco 3-0 Metz
Metz have suffered 16 defeats versus Monaco in Ligue 1 this century, and they will be up against a side brimming with confidence who have had virtually no trouble finding the back of the net in this competition.
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Lyon vs. Clermont (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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The bottom two sides in the Ligue 1 table will do battle on Sunday, as Lyon welcome Clermont to the Groupama Stadium.
The two sides both remain winless in France's top flight, with the hosts on just three points and their visitors rooted to the foot of the division on two points from their eight matches.
We say: Lyon 3-1 Clermont
Lyon are certainly yet to click this season, but they have an opportunity at the weekend with another side devoid of confidence making the trip to the Groupama Stadium.
Les Gones should have far too much quality throughout their squad for the struggling hosts, and we can only envisage them finally scoring a first league win of the season and Grosso's tenure on Sunday.
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Barney Corkhill
