St Etienne vs. Lens (Saturday, 4.00pm)
© Reuters
Saint-Etienne's first Ligue 1 fixture of 2022 sees high-flying Lens pay a visit to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Saturday afternoon.
Pascal Dupraz's side began the New Year with a resounding 4-1 Coupe de France victory over Jura Sud Foot, while the visitors kept their Champions League hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Rennes.
We say: Saint-Etienne 1-2 Lens
Lens' abysmal form on the road may make this a trickier encounter than some of the visiting crop believe, with Dupraz desperate to see the new manager bounce take effect on home soil.
However, underestimating Lens since their return to the top flight in 2020 has often proved fatal, and we do not expect the lowly hosts' fortunes to improve against the European challengers blessed with most of their big-hitters available.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
PSG vs. Brest (Saturday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Seeking an immediate return to winning ways, runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain prepare to welcome Brest to the Parc des Princes on Saturday night.
Mauricio Pochettino's men were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Lyon last time out, while the visitors slumped to a 3-0 defeat at home to high-flying Nice.
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Brest
While it remains to be seen which players PSG will be able to welcome back from their COVID-19 cluster, it will surely be too big an ask for Brest to prevent the league leaders from returning to winning ways.
Keeping the back door shut away from home is not one of Brest's strong points - despite their impressive run without defeat on rival turf - but their wait for a first win against PSG since 1985 is sure to continue this weekend.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How PSG could line up against Brest
Barney Corkhill
