Brest vs. Nice (Sunday, 12.00pm)
After an impressive opening first half to their Ligue 1 campaign, Nice have a chance to extend their unbeaten run on the road to six matches in all competitions when they head to Stade Francis Le Ble on Sunday to face Brest.
The team from the French Riviera are sitting in second after their first 19 encounters, while Les Pirates are eight points behind them in 12th, having failed to win their last two league fixtures of 2021.
We say: Brest 1-2 Nice
As good as Brest have been at home this season, Nice are equally as strong on the road and do not appear to be intimidated by opposing crowds.
Nice tend to react well despite some slow starts, and they have shown a lot more focus and determination late in matches in this campaign.
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Clermont vs. Reims (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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In a crucial clash at the bottom of Ligue 1, Clermont Foot will welcome the visit of Reims to the Stade Gabriel Montpied on Sunday afternoon.
Looking to avoid an immediate return to the second tier, Clermont will begin the new year a slender one point above the relegation zone.
We say: Clermont 1-2 Reims
Clermont have excited at times this season and have been a welcome addition to the French top flight.
However, a depleted squad will likely mean a defeat for Clermont, with Reims the most probable to take three points.
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Metz vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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The Derby de l'Est awaits Metz in their first Ligue 1 encounter of 2022 as Strasbourg pay a visit to the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday afternoon.
Frederic Antonetti's side managed to hold Lyon to a 1-1 draw before the winter break, while the visitors lost 1-0 to Montpellier HSC in the Coupe de France earlier this month.
We say: Metz 1-3 Strasbourg
Metz will still be able to put out something of a familiar-looking side despite their plethora of absent players, but any hopes of them clambering their way to safety are slim to none here.
Strasbourg are not without their own concerns and have not had it all their own way on the road this term, but Stephan's crop should expose the hosts' defensive frailties with a resounding win.
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Nantes vs. Monaco (Sunday, 4.05pm)
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Life under Niko Kovac begins now for Monaco, whose COVID-hit squad travel to Nantes for Sunday afternoon's Ligue 1 fixture.
Les Monegasques find themselves sixth in the table ahead of the weekend's encounter, while Antoine Kombouare's side are only one place and one point behind their upcoming opponents.
We say: Nantes 1-1 Monaco
Neither side will be able to put out their strongest XI at the Stade de la Beaujoire, but Monaco's prospects of ending their scoreless run away from home are strong with both Ben Yedder and Volland fit and firing.
Nantes are not the relegation candidates that they were in the 2020-21 season, though, and Kombouare's side have the resilience required to hold Monaco to a second 1-1 draw in succession.
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Lyon vs. PSG (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Two giants of the French game enduring vastly differing fortunes in the 2021-22 season prepare for battle at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday as Lyon lock horns with Paris Saint-Germain.
The visitors currently sit 13 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table, while Peter Bosz's men are down in 13th following a troubled start to the campaign.
We say: Lyon 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Should the highly-influential Paqueta not be passed fit for this clash, Lyon's 100% goalscoring home record could come to an end against a PSG side boasting most of their big names in defence.
Les Parisiens can survive without most of their COVID-affected crop and warmed up for this contest in ideal fashion in the Coupe de France, so we expect the leaders to march to a convincing triumph as the pressure piles on Bosz's shoulders.
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Barney Corkhill
