Nice vs. Angers (Sunday, 12.00pm)
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Seeking to snap a somewhat concerning two-game losing run in Ligue 1, podium hopefuls Nice prepare to host Angers at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday lunchtime.
Christophe Galtier's men went down 2-0 to Lyon in their most recent battle, while Les Scoistes fell to a 1-0 defeat to an over-achieving Strasbourg.
We say: Nice 2-0 Angers
Angers have developed an affinity for finding the back of the net on the road, but their goalscoring exploits and hopes of victory will be slimmed if Boufal is indeed absent for the contest.
Nice can ill-afford any more dropped points if they are to remain in the driving seat for Champions League qualification, and we have faith in Galtier's crop to stand firm at the back and claim a morale-boosting three points through their abundance of attacking talent.
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Lorient vs. Montpellier (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Lorient will endeavour to build on two positive February results when Montpellier HSC pay a visit to the Stade du Moustoir for Sunday's Ligue 1 battle.
Christophe Pelissier's side managed to hold Monaco to a 0-0 draw last time out, while their visitors went down 1-0 to wounded champions Lille.
We say: Lorient 1-1 Montpellier HSC
In spite of their remarkable defensive resilience on home soil, goals continue to be an issue for this relegation-threatened Lorient outfit, who are still more than capable of pulling off a positive result here.
Montpellier held their own for long periods against Lille - who are a far cry from their 2020-21 selves - and with Mavididi's absence continuing to affect them, we can only envisage Dall'Oglio's side taking a point home.
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Reims vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Reims have an opportunity to win consecutive home fixtures for the first time this season when they host Brest on Sunday at Stade Auguste-Delaune.
Les Rouges et Blancs dropped a 1-0 decision to Nantes last Sunday, as they sit four points behind Brest in the Ligue 1 table, with Les Pirates coming off a fine showing at home to Troyes, winning 5-1.
We say: Reims 2-0 Brest
As clinical as they were in their previous encounter, Brest are a much different side away from home, winning only one road fixture since December.
Even though Reims have struggled so far this year, they have proven to be a difficult unit to break down defensively despite their long list of absences, and these players should be full of confidence in their ability to score at home following a clinical display versus Bordeaux.
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Rennes vs. Troyes (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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After suffering a heartbreaking last-gasp defeat to the league leaders Paris Saint-Germain (1-0) a week ago, Rennes return to Ligue 1 action on Sunday when they host Troyes at Roazhon Park.
Les Rennais are currently positioned to make a return trip to the Europa Conference League, leading Monaco and Lyon for fifth on goal difference, while Troyes conceded early and often at Brest in their previous match, falling 5-1.
We say: Rennes 2-0 Troyes
Their defensive shape last week was not what we have been used to seeing from ESTAC since Irles took over, so we expect them to be a lot more compact this weekend, although we do not anticipate that they will be able to find a way through an underrated defence.
Rennes could see plenty of tight marking in this match, but they have shown to be quite potent on their home soil, scoring eight goals in their last two games, while conceding none.
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St Etienne vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Despite their contrasting league positions, Saint-Etienne and Strasbourg square off on Sunday afternoon as two of the form teams in Ligue 1.
The visitors, who are in fourth spot, have won five of their last six games, while 18th-placed Saint-Etienne have prevailed in their last three fixtures.
We say: Saint-Etienne 1-2 Strasbourg
All things considered, this has all the makings of an entertaining clash, and we cannot conclusively dismiss Saint-Etienne's chances. Nevertheless, we have been impressed by Strasbourg's character in recent weeks, leading to us predicting a narrow win for the visitors.
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Bordeaux vs. Monaco (Sunday, 4.05pm)
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Now under the wing of David Guion, Ligue 1 basement side Bordeaux will hope to avoid being on the wrong end of another crushing defeat when Monaco visit the Matmut Atlantique on Sunday afternoon.
Les Girondins went down 3-2 to Lens during their most recent encounter, while Philippe Clement's side were forced to settle for a point against Lorient.
We say: Bordeaux 1-3 Monaco
With the new manager bounce in full effect for a Bordeaux side whose issues clearly do not lie in the final third of the field, Monaco's defensive resistance is there to be broken.
However, the odd goal or two is likely where the joy will end for Guion's side, who will take some time to find their feet under the Frenchman and should see their ongoing defensive instability exposed by a Monaco frontline with a point to prove.
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Marseille vs. Clermont (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Marseille will endeavour to make it three wins on the bounce across all competitions when Clermont pay a visit to the Orange Velodrome for Sunday's Ligue 1 encounter.
Jorge Sampaoli's men saw off Qarabag 3-1 in the Europa Conference League in midweek, while the visitors have not been in action since going down 2-1 to Saint-Etienne last weekend.
We say: Marseille 3-1 Clermont
With several new potential absentees to cope without and a morale-sapping loss to try to overcome, the odds are stacked against Clermont heading to the Orange Velodrome.
Sampaoli may be forced into some changes depending on how many tired legs report for training, but with enviable depth and Milik enjoying a free-scoring streak up top, Marseille ought to prevail comfortably.
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Barney Corkhill
