Metz vs. Nice (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Metz entertain Nice in Ligue 1 on Saturday evening, with the hosts looking to extend their recent run of good form.
A 0-0 draw last time out for Frederic Antonetti's men saw them pick up their seventh point from a possible 12, while Les Aiglons lost their fourth game in seven matches under their new boss.
We say: Metz 1-1 Nice
This mid-table clash is likely to be a low scoring affair, despite Nice's troubles at the back in the last few weeks. Neither side score freely and both are likely to be happy to settle for a share of the spoils.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.
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Lens vs. Strasbourg (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Lens welcome Strasbourg to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday evening, with the visitors looking to build on an emphatic victory last time out.
Les Coureurs demolished basement side Nimes in midweek to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three and will be hoping it is the start of a good run of form.
We say: Lens 3-2 Strasbourg
Lens have responded to their last three defeats with victory and we expect them to repeat the trick over the weekend.
Strasbourg games usually involve a lot of goals and they could be on the wrong end of another high scoring affair when they travel to northern France.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw.
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Dijon vs. Marseille (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Marseille will be aiming to build on their much-needed victory over Montpellier when they travel to the Stade Gaston Gerard to take on relegation-threatened Dijon on Saturday.
The visitors remained in the top five following their 3-1 win in midweek, whereas Dijon were held to a goalless draw by fellow strugglers Reims in their first fixture of 2021.
We say: Dijon 0-2 Marseille
Linares has certainly helped steady the ship since taking over as Dijon manager, but the 45-year-old has not been able to turn Les Hiboux' home fortunes around and is unlikely to do so here. Villas-Boas's two inspired substitutions helped Marseille get over the line against Montpellier, and the confidence ought to be sky high in the Olympiens camp, so we can only see a win for the visitors here.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
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Bordeaux vs. Lorient (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Bordeaux host Lorient in Ligue 1 on Saturday night as the visitors aim to climb out of the bottom two.
A 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Monaco in midweek saw Christophe Pelissier's men slump to their 12th loss of the campaign, while Les Girondins were held to a 0-0 draw at Metz.
We say: Bordeaux 2-0 Lorient
Although Bordeaux are yet to hit their stride this season, they should have too much quality for this struggling Lorient outfit. A narrow victory for the side from the south of France is the most likely outcome.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw.
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Monaco vs. Angers (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Two European-chasing sides neck-and-neck in the Ligue 1 table will lock horns at the Stade Louis II on Saturday evening as Monaco play host to Angers.
Both teams picked up crucial victories on Wednesday, with the hosts thrashing Lorient 5-2 while Angers claimed a shock win at the home of title hopefuls Lille.
We say: Monaco 2-2 Angers
Angers showed no signs of trepidation against Marseille or Lille, and a third successive fixture against a fellow European hopeful is sure to be a true test of their mettle. Monaco cannot afford to underestimate the high-flying visitors, and the scoreline in their clash with Lorient could have been wholly different had Les Merlus not gone down to 10, so we can see Angers extending their unbeaten away streak with a closely-fought draw this weekend.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
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Montpellier vs. Nantes (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Montpellier HSC will be aiming to end a four-game winless streak in the French top flight when they welcome Nantes to the Stade de la Mosson on Saturday evening.
The hosts were put to the sword by Marseille in their first match of 2021, whereas Nantes began the Raymond Domenech era with a goalless stalemate at home to Rennes.
We say: Montpellier HSC 1-0 Nantes
Montpellier simply have to arrest their worrying slump lest they risk slipping out of contention for a Europa League spot, but the losses of Savanier and Mavididi are sure to affect them in this clash. Domenech's Nantes had the bulk of the chances against Rennes but their problems in front of goal are apparent, so we can see Montpellier returning to winning ways with a slender victory here.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw.
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Reims vs. St Etienne (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Reims and Saint-Etienne will both be aiming to extend their respective unbeaten runs when they do battle at the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Saturday evening.
Only one point separates the two teams in the table after 18 matches, with Saint-Etienne in 14th and Reims in 15th after both clubs turned their fortunes around over the festive period.
We say: Reims 1-2 Saint-Etienne
Another draw for Saint-Etienne will extend their unbeaten run to eight matches, but it would also be sure to leave the Verts faithful feeling increasingly frustrated at their side's inability to get over the line. Reims carry plenty of threat going forward through Dia and Toure, but the visitors will be boosted by a couple of returns and should do enough to claim all three points this weekend, but Guion's men will not make life easy for them.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
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PSG vs. Brest (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino will aspire to record his first win in the dugout at the second attempt when the Ligue 1 champions welcome Brest to the capital on Saturday.
Les Parisiens played out a 1-1 draw with Saint-Etienne in Pochettino's maiden game in charge, while Brest kept their European hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Nice.
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 Brest
Brest's effervescent attacking crop can certainly do some considerable damage to PSG's ravaged backline, but the visitors' defensive frailties are evident despite Wednesday's much-needed clean sheet. Les Parisiens boast an incredible record in this fixture and Pochettino will be desperate to get up and running as quickly as possible, so we expect the champions to prevail in what should be a fascinating contest.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 2.5 goals.
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Nimes vs. Lille (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Nimes will be aiming to follow in Angers' footsteps and pull off an improbable shock win against Lille when the two sides lock horns at the Stade des Costieres on Saturday.
Twenty-four points and 17 places separate the two teams in the table, with the hosts rooted to the bottom while Lille sit third after 18 matches.
We say: Nimes 0-3 Lille
Arpinon is sure to be fearing for his future in the Nimes dugout after a truly dismal night in Strasbourg, and the visit of Lille could not have come at a worse time for the hosts. Les Dogues will be determined to prove that their defeat to Angers was nothing more than a minor blip, and the title hopefuls should record a routine win on Saturday.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
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Rennes vs. Lyon (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Rennes welcome table-toppers Lyon to the Roazhon Park on Saturday in the pick of the weekend's fixtures.
Julien Stephan's men were held to a goalless drew by Nantes last time out, while Les Gones leapfrogged Lille with a victory over Lens to move to the Ligue 1 summit.
We say: Rennes 2-2 Lyon
These are two evenly matched teams in top form, and neither side will want to let the other gain an advantage. Lyon have been scoring freely of late, and keeping the likes of Depay quiet will be a tough ask for Rennes, but they should have enough firepower in their own squad to find a reply and take home a share of the spoils.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.
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Barney Corkhill
