Brest vs. Lens (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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After pushing Paris Saint-Germain all the way last term, Lens begin their 2023-24 Ligue 1 campaign with an away fixture against Brest on Sunday afternoon.
Last season's runners-up finished a solitary point behind champions PSG, while the Pirates finished 14th - nine points clear of the relegation zone.
We say: Brest 0-1 Lens
Given what Lens achieved last term, we expect the Blood and Gold to claim all three points on the opening weekend, although Brest will likely give last season's runners-up a run for their money after finishing the previous campaign on a high.
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Clermont vs. Monaco (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Clermont welcome Monaco to the Stade Gabriel-Montpied on Sunday afternoon as both sides open their 2023-24 Ligue 1 accounts.
The hosts finished just two places and six points behind the visitors last season, with Clermont overachieving and Monaco flattering to deceive.
We say: Clermont 2-2 Monaco
Buoyed by last season's achievements - especially on home soil - Clermont will be confident of kick-starting their campaign with a positive result on Sunday, but the hosts may have to settle for a draw as Monaco aim to build on their impressive away record from 2022-23.
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Nantes vs. Toulouse (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Nearly four months on from their defeat in the Coupe de France final, Nantes seek revenge on Ligue 1's opening day, as Toulouse visit Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday afternoon.
Having been crushed 5-1 by Les Pitchouns as their cup defence came to a humbling conclusion in Paris, the hosts now aim for a sharp start to the new season after flirting with the drop last term.
We say: Nantes 1-1 Toulouse
Both sides seem weakened by their transfer-window dealings so far, and a low-scoring encounter could be on the cards when they meet on Ligue 1's opening day. Even in pre-season, Nantes have lost that winning feeling, so they may have to settle for a home draw against their cup final conquerors.
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Montpellier vs. Le Havre (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Following a 14-year absence from the French top flight, Le Havre return to Ligue 1 action on Sunday as they travel to the Stade de la Mosson to take on Montpellier HSC.
Le Havre gained promotion by winning the Ligue 2 title last term, while Montpellier experienced an indifferent 2022-23 campaign, finishing 12th after a mid-season managerial change.
We say: Montpellier HSC 1-1 Le Havre
It goes without saying that both Montpellier and Le Havre will be determined to hit the ground running in 2022-23, but we expect the teams to share the spoils at the Stade de la Mosson as the visitors look to announce themselves to Ligue 1.
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Rennes vs. Metz (Sunday, 4.05pm)
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Hosting freshly promoted Metz at Roazhon Park, Rennes kick off their Ligue 1 campaign on Sunday afternoon.
While the visitors return to the French top flight after just one season away, Les Rennais will aim to improve on last term's fourth-place finish, which was enough to earn them a Europa League place.
We say: Rennes 3-1 Metz
Rennes have not recorded a draw in their last 37 Ligue 1 home games, while posting an impressive 29 wins in that period; in fact, their last home draw came on the opening matchday in 2021. That run should continue, as the hosts have far too much firepower for their promoted opponents to withstand - though they may concede a goal en route to victory.
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Strasbourg vs. Lyon (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Two members of France's 1998 World Cup-winning side reunite at the Stade de la Meinau on Sunday night as Partick Vieira's Strasbourg play host to Laurent Blanc's Lyon in their opening Ligue 1 fixture of the new season.
While the hosts won three, drew three and lost one of their seven pre-season matches this summer, the visitors enter the 2023-24 campaign after suffering four defeats in five warm-up games.
We say: Strasbourg 1-1 Lyon
A battle between youth and experience takes centre stage at the Stade de la Meinau, with both teams hopeful of making a winning start to the new season.
Lyon have scored in each of their last 25 meetings with Strasbourg and they will fancy their chances of finding the net again on Sunday, but we believe the hosts will do enough to claim a point.
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Barney Corkhill
