PSG vs. Metz (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Taking to Parc des Princes soil for the final time in 2023, Paris Saint-Germain aim to end the calendar year on a high when Metz tackle the Ligue 1 champions on Wednesday night.
Luis Enrique's side were held to an agonising 1-1 draw by Lille at the weekend, while their newly-promoted visitors slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Montpellier HSC.
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Metz
It would not be beyond the realm of possibility for Metz to switch to a defence-heavy setup in a bid to quell the PSG strikeforce, who are normally in a merciless mood at the Parc des Princes, but their resistance should ultimately prove futile.
Profligacy has harmed Enrique's men heading into the Christmas period, but a straightforward success - their 14th in a row against Metz - should come their way before the New Year celebrations commence.
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Strasbourg vs. Lille (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Aiming to end a year of significant change with a third win on the trot, Strasbourg host Lille in their final Ligue 1 game of 2023 at the Stade de la Meinau on Wednesday evening.
Patrick Vieira's team heightened Lorient's relegation fears with a 2-1 beating of Les Merlus at the weekend, while the visitors left it late to deny Paris Saint-Germain victory in a 1-1 stalemate.
We say: Strasbourg 0-2 Lille
Forced into at least two alterations against a defensively-sound Lille unit, Strasbourg's hopes of ending the year on a high may be unfounded on Wednesday, especially when their recent miserable streak against Les Dogues is also taken into account.
Fonseca's men have found victories on the road hard to come by throughout all of 2023, but with a fresh-legged David coming up against one of his favourite opponents, the visitors should head into the winter break sitting pretty in the top four courtesy of a routine victory.
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Toulouse vs. Monaco (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Riding the longest current winless run in Ligue 1, Toulouse host Monaco at Stadium de Toulouse on Wednesday in the final domestic encounter for each this year.
Over the weekend, Les Pitchouns failed to win domestically for a ninth successive time, playing to a 0-0 draw with Rennes, while Les Monegasques suffered just a second defeat at home this season, losing 1-0 versus Lyon.
We say: Toulouse 1-2 Monaco
Monaco are much more dynamic with Golovin in the fold, and his presence should reinvigorate them in midweek, while Les Monegasques have followed up every defeat this season with a victory.
Playing in Europe seems to impact Toulouse domestically, with Le Tefece lacking imagination during their Ligue 1 affairs, perhaps due to fatigue with a much more demanding schedule than they are used to.
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Lyon vs. Nantes (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Ending the year as they mean to go on, a resurgent Lyon host Nantes at the Groupama Stadium on Wednesday evening in their final Ligue 1 fixture of 2023.
Les Gones recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season by overcoming Monaco 1-0 at the weekend, while Les Canaris succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat to Brest.
We say: Lyon 2-0 Nantes
Finding the formula for defensive success under Sage's new system while also improving their ruthlessness in the final third, even a Lacazette-less Lyon can feel confident of stretching their winning sequence to three matches on Wednesday.
Nantes have flattered to deceive in the final third for a number of weeks now, and despite ending their recent hoodoo against Lyon, Les Canaris will likely revert to old ways against their hosts as Sage's side give the home crowd the best Christmas gift possible.
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Nice vs. Lens (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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After suffering a second defeat in their previous three Ligue 1 fixtures this past weekend, Nice return to Allianz Rivera on Wednesday for a date with Lens.
Les Aiglons were beaten 3-1 at Le Havre on Saturday, putting them five points behind the league-leaders Paris Saint-Germain, while Lens are inching closer to a European place, sitting seventh following a 2-0 triumph over Reims.
We say: Nice 1-1 Lens
After such a solid start to the campaign, Nice are struggling to handle the pressure of being near the top of the table, and although they have been sharp defensively at home, Lens are in great form, and we believe they will be able to earn a point on Wednesday.
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Clermont vs. Rennes (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Aiming to give their survival chances a much-needed boost, Clermont will welcome a struggling Rennes side to Stade Gabriel Montpied on Wednesday night for a Ligue 1 clash.
The Clermontois were defeated at Europa League challengers Marseille on the weekend, while Rennes played out a goalless draw at the home of Toulouse.
We say: Clermont 0-1 Rennes
Clermont improved dramatically in the second period against Marseille on the weekend, but we doubt whether the division's basement dwellers will be able to carry that momentum into this fixture.
Rennes have been competitive versus Villarreal and solid at Toulouse over the past seven days, so we feel that their winless away run will come to an end at Stade Gabriel Montpied.
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Reims vs. Le Havre (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Looking to get back to winning ways after successive defeats, Reims will welcome recently-promoted Le Havre to Stade Auguste-Delaune II on Wednesday night for a Ligue 1 matchup.
The hosts were defeated by a two-goal margin at Lens on the weekend, while Le Havre managed to secure all three points against a Nice side who are chasing the French crown.
We say: Reims 2-1 Le Havre
Reims have been on the wrong side of fine margins in their losses at Nice and Lens recently, but we are expecting the hosts' fortunes to turn on Wednesday night.
Le Havre were excellent in their win over Nice last time out, but we envisage a slight reality check for LH at Stade Auguste-Delaune II in this one.
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Montpellier vs. Marseille (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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After ending a six-match winless run in Ligue 1 last weekend, Montpellier HSC can claim victory in consecutive matches for the first time all season when they host Marseille on Wednesday at Stade de la Mosson.
An early goal on Sunday was all La Paillade would need to defeat Metz 1-0, while OM extended their unbeaten run in the league to five matches with a 2-1 triumph over Clermont.
We say: Montpellier HSC 0-1 Marseille
Marseille are starting to find ways to win, and their attacking depth should be enough to defeat a Montpellier side who are much more compact defensively on home soil but are not quite as dynamic when in possession.
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Brest vs. Lorient (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Two sides with contrasting form in Ligue 1 will face off this week when Brest take on Lorient at Stade Francis-Le Ble on Wednesday evening.
The hosts are currently in fifth place in the league standings with 28 points after 16 matches, while the visitors are second bottom with 12 points over the same period.
We say: Brest 2-1 Lorient
Brest have been one of the most improved sides in Ligue 1 this season and will be looking to secure another win before the December break. Lorient have failed to win a single match on the road this season, and we feel they will struggle to improve that record in this one.
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Ben Knapton
