Monaco vs. Reims (Saturday, 4.00pm)
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The title outsiders welcome the Champions League outsiders to the Stade Louis II on Saturday afternoon, as Monaco and Reims resume their respective Ligue 1 campaigns.
Les Monegasques opened 2024 with a nervy Coupe de France penalty-shootout success over Lens, while their visitors enjoyed a much more routine knockout success, overcoming Dinan Lehon 3-0.
We say: Monaco 3-1 Reims
Success over Reims in front of their own fans has been extremely hard to come by for Monaco in recent times, but given their visitors' recent problems on the road, Hutter's men have a prime opportunity to end that hoodoo here.
Both teams have seen their ranks ravaged by international call-ups, but with a refreshed creative force in Golovin returning to the Monaco XI, we have faith in the hosts to come up trumps.
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Rennes vs. Nice (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Rennes and Nice will both endeavour to build on recent Coupe de France victories when they return to Ligue 1 duty at Roazhon Park on Saturday night.
Julien Stephan's side made it through to the fourth round of the cup with a 2-0 beating of Guingamp, while their visitors ran out 4-2 penalty-shootout victors over Auxerre.
We say: Rennes 1-1 Nice
Nice have prided themselves on defensive discipline all season long, but with Todibo still on the naughty step and Thuram in the treatment room, Les Aiglons' hopes of another clean sheet at Roazhon Park are slim to say the least.
Farioli's title chasers have had Rennes' number over the past 12 months, though, and given the hosts' rearguard frailties on home soil, a share of the spoils could be on the cards here.
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Barney Corkhill
