Metz vs. Bordeaux (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
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Metz host Bordeaux in Ligue 1 on Wednesday with the visitors able to leapfrog their opponents in the table with a victory.
Neither side have scored 20 goals in the league yet this season, so it could be a cagey encounter.
We say: Metz 1-1 Bordeaux
With both sides better defensively than they are offensively, we can envisage a cagey encounter between two defensive sides, with the performance of Ben Arfa crucial in terms of lighting up the game.
A low scoring draw would not be a surprise, with both sides content to avoid defeat as they look for a respectable mid-table finish this season.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
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Brest vs. Nice (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
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Brest take on Nice in Ligue 1 on Wednesday with the two sides separated by a solitary point in the table.
The visitors do have a game in hand on their forthcoming opponents, though, with both sides able to move into the top half with a positive result.
We say: Brest 2-2 Nice
Brest have been stronger at home this season with Nice better on the road, so it should be an intriguing battle on Wednesday.
We can envisage an entertaining score draw, with Brest one of the league's most goal-friendly sides at either end of the pitch this season.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
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Nantes vs. Rennes (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
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Nantes begin a new era under Raymond Domenech on Wednesday when they kick off 2021 with a home fixture against Rennes in Ligue 1.
Les Canaris ended 2020 with a dismal 3-0 defeat to table-toppers Lyon, whereas Rennes marched to their fourth victory in a row with a 1-0 triumph over Metz.
We say: Nantes 0-2 Rennes
It remains to be seen how the ever-controversial Domenech will set up for his maiden game in the Nantes dugout, and the hosts will be boosted by a couple of returns from suspensions. However, Rennes are in a terrific spell of form and are historically strong in this fixture, so we cannot see any other result than a routine win for the visitors in their first match of 2021.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
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Lorient vs. Monaco (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
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Lorient host Monaco in Ligue 1 on Wednesday evening as both sides look to build on the 2-2 draws they recorded last time out.
The hosts are currently occupying the relegation playoff place after a difficult first half of the campaign, while Les Monegasques are fighting for European qualification.
We say: Lorient 0-2 Monaco
Although Monaco have been struggling somewhat of late, Lorient's troubles in front of goal and their lack of quality across the pitch should mean Kovac's side pick up the three points here. They cannot afford to lose any more ground on the top four, and a narrow victory is the most likely outcome in midweek.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
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Strasbourg vs. Nimes (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
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Strasbourg take on Nimes in Ligue 1 on Wednesday with both sides fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation this season.
The visitors can overtake their opponents in the table and potentially move out of the relegation zone with a victory.
We say: Strasbourg 2-1 Nimes
With Nimes in desperate form and Strasbourg showing some signs of improvement prior to the break, we can envisage a crucial win for Laurey's side.
There is little doubt that they have the higher ceiling of the two sides, with Ajorque possessing the ability to earn his side the three points.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
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Reims vs. Dijon (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Reims entertain Dijon on Wednesday evening as Ligue 1 action returns following a two-week winter break.
Both sides recorded important victories last time out, and they will be hoping to build on them as they fight to stay in the division.
We say: Reims 1-1 Dijon
Both teams will be confident coming into this one after their recent good results, and neither side will want to come away empty-handed. Therefore, it could be a tight affair that sees them take home a share of the spoils.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
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Marseille vs. Montpellier (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Two teams looking to put dismal ends to 2020 behind them lock horns in Wednesday's Ligue 1 fixture as Marseille play host to Montpellier HSC at the Orange Velodrome.
Both sides took just one point from their final three fixtures before the Christmas break, with the hosts losing at Angers while Montpellier came up short against Lille last time out.
We say: Marseille 1-1 Montpellier HSC
This is a difficult game to call between a Marseille side who are excellent at home, and a Montpellier team who consistently produce the goods on the road. Neither club ended 2020 how they would have wanted to and will be desperate to resume their charge for a top-four finish here, but we cannot separate the two sides and expect the spoils to be shared at the Orange Velodrome.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw.
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St Etienne vs. PSG (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Paris Saint-Germain begin the Mauricio Pochettino era on Wednesday when they travel to Saint-Etienne for their first Ligue 1 fixture of 2021.
The hosts, meanwhile, have strung together a six-game unbeaten run in the top flight but remain just six points clear of the relegation zone.
We say: Saint-Etienne 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Saint-Etienne are not to be taken lightly despite winning just four matches this term, and the hosts are sure to fancy their chances with a plethora of PSG players out injured. It remains to be seen how Pochettino will line up in his inaugural game in the champions' dugout, but we still expect an injury-hit PSG team to get over the line and begin their new era in perfect fashion.
Our tipster partners are predicting an away win.
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Lyon vs. Lens (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Lyon will be aiming to cement their position atop the Ligue 1 rankings when they welcome an inconsistent Lens to the Groupama Stadium following the Christmas break.
Les Gones ended 2020 at the top of the pile following a 3-0 victory over Nantes, and Lens also won their final game of the year as they overcame Brest 2-1.
We say: Lyon 3-1 Lens
Lens have proved themselves as a force to be reckoned with away from home, with Rennes and Monaco both failing to break Haise's men down so far. The loss of Toko Ekambi is sure to harm Lyon's goalscoring prospects, but the league leaders should still have too much quality for the visitors and will be expected to pick up where they left off with a resounding victory this week.
Our tipster partners are predicting a home win.
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Lille vs. Angers (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Lille entertain Angers in Ligue 1 on Wednesday with the hosts looking to move top of the table.
The visitors, meanwhile, have performed above expectations this season, and can move as high as fifth by upsetting Lille with a win.
We say: Lille 3-1 Angers
We can envisage an entertaining encounter in Lille, with the hosts giving themselves a good chance of moving top of the league with a victory.
The likes of Yilmaz and Yazici will be looking to pick up from where they left off prior to the winter break, with the attacking Turkish duo in scintillating form.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.
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Barney Corkhill
