Rennes vs. Lorient (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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Sunday's Ligue 1 action begins with Rennes looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats when they host Lorient at Roazhon Park.
The home side have seen their Champions League spot come under pressure following the losses against their top-three rivals, whilst the visitors continued their revival at the bottom with another victory in the week.
We say: Rennes 3-1 Lorient
Despite recent setbacks, Rennes will be expected to record a comfortable victory when they host their relegation-threatened opponents on Sunday.
The visitors may well have improved of late, but their struggles on their travels continue, and with a free-flowing attack up against them here, they may well be on the receiving end of a comprehensive win for the home side.
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Clermont vs. Angers (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Clermont will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in Ligue 1 when they welcome Angers to Stade Gabriel Montpied on Sunday in a huge relegation clash.
The hosts finally ended their winless streak with a dramatic late victory in midweek, whilst the visitors continued their poor form with another defeat, as their slide towards the bottom continues.
We say: Clermont 1-0 Angers
If Clermont can pick up from where they left off on Wednesday, we can see them starting brightly here and eventually grinding out a narrow victory.
It is likely to be an encounter lacking in huge amounts of quality from two poor sides, but with Angers remaining in freefall, we can see them being edged out here to push them further towards the drop in this huge relegation battle.
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Metz vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Metz play host to Brest on Sunday afternoon knowing that they realistically need all three points to retain hope of avoiding relegation from Ligue 1.
At a time when the home side sit at the bottom of the top-flight standings, Brest have recently moved into 12th position and have no lingering concerns of dropping down to the second tier.
We say: Metz 1-2 Brest
Having failed to win several matches against direct rivals, Metz are effectively at the point of no return, and they will need to play on the front foot on Sunday. Nevertheless, Brest are seemingly ending the campaign on a high, and we are backing the visitors to run out the victors in this contest.
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Nantes vs. Bordeaux (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Bordeaux's desperate scrap for Ligue 1 survival continues with a trip to the Stade de la Beaujoire to take on Nantes on Sunday afternoon.
Les Girondins were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against fellow struggles Saint-Etienne in midweek, while Antoine Kombouare's side went down 3-2 to Marseille.
We say: Nantes 3-1 Bordeaux
Bordeaux have plenty more to fight for than Nantes do at this stage of the season, and that ought to be reflected in a forward-thinking performance with the effervescent Hwang back in the fold.
However, keeping the back door shut away from home has been an issue for Les Girondins all season long, and a Nantes side who pushed Marseille all the way should get back on track in front of their own fans.
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Nice vs. Troyes (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Nice head into Sunday's Ligue 1 encounter against Troyes aware that they desperately require three points to stay in the hunt for the European places.
At a time when the home team have recently dropped down to sixth position in the standings, Troyes are in 16th spot, just two points above the relegation zone.
We say: Nice 2-0 Troyes
On paper, this should be a routine three points for Nice, but there can certainly be no guarantees given their recent results. However, we expect Troyes to sit back against their more illustrious hosts, a tactic which may only invite pressure and give Nice a much-needed upper hand.
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Lille vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, 4.05pm)
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Lille will aim to avoid going five games without a win in Ligue 1 when they welcome Strasbourg to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday afternoon.
Les Dogues suffered a 2-1 defeat to Reims in midweek, while Julian Stephan's side kept their Champions League dreams alive by beating Rennes by the same scoreline.
We say: Lille 1-1 Strasbourg
Lille's starting lineup should have more of a familiar feel about it this weekend, with two well-rested strikers in David and Yilmaz desperately needing to find their shooting boots sooner rather than later.
Strasbourg have certainly been the draw specialists away from home in recent weeks, and while one point will not do them many favours in their podium push, an altered Lille side should manage to avoid a third straight loss with a hard-fought stalemate.
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Reims vs. Marseille (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Marseille will aim to remain in the driving seat for a second-placed finish in Ligue 1 when they travel to the Stade Auguste-Delaune to take on Reims on Sunday night.
Jorge Sampaoli's side came from behind to beat Nantes 3-2 on Wednesday, while the hosts left it late to beat Lille 2-1 in dramatic fashion.
We say: Reims 0-2 Marseille
Marseille may be spending their Saturday evening watching PSG end their already-slim title hopes for good, but second place is still in their hands, and they will be in no mood to end their hot streak at the Stade Auguste-Delaune.
Getting one over the reigning champions is nothing to be sniffed at for Reims, but the options for rotation at Sampaoli's disposal makes it difficult to envisage Garcia's youthful side making lightning strike twice in front of the home crowd.
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Barney Corkhill
