Monaco V PSG - Kicks off at 12:00 GMT - Live on BT Sport 2
Monaco are on a bad run. Just onewin in their last eight games in all competitions. Last weekend's 1-0 loss at European Qualification rivals Strasbourg leaves them 8th in he table. A win here would only push them up two places if results go their way. It's hard to see a victory for them against the Champions Elect particularly as their goals have dried up of late. Phillipe Clement is still new to life at Monaco after replacing Niko Kovac in January. He has overseen three wins, three draws and three losses in the league but suffered cup exits at Nantes domestically and against Braga in Europe. The 3-1 aggregate defeat ended any chance of a trophy for Les Monegasques this year.
So the Belgian is already under pressure. Prior to the Braga game Sporting Director Paul Mitchell backed the Coach in an interview with L'Equipe. "I have great confidence in him. He's a winner. He's an extremely studious Coach and hard worker. We need to be patient. Niko Kovac had 16 months. Phillipe needs the same support. We're looking at the long term: he'll be a great investment for the club for the seasons coming." Clement only has two long term injuries (Cesc Fabregas and Krepin Datta) to worry about. There are no suspensions. Can they put a performance in here at least and possibly win a valuable point?
PSG are top of the league by 15 points. They beat Bordeaux last week 3-0 at home and yet were booed and whistled throughout the game by their own fans. Some fans even boycotted the game and Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr were particularly singled out for abuse by the home support. How has it come to this? As successful as PSG are on the pitch PSG fans have become sick of the soulless performances. It is true that PSG often do the bare minimum in games to win. Sometimes they get unstuck because of it. They lost at Nice two weeks ago due to a lethargic performance. They played very well for most of the two legged Champions League tie against Real Madrid but as soon as they were put under a bit of pressure they fell apart. Their 2-0 aggregate lead was swept aside by three goals in 17 minutes. After the first goal they weren't able to stand up and see out the game. The Parisian faithful are also at odds with the running of the club and what they perceive as a misguided transfer policy. The fans want to see a team fighting for results and playing with some kind of plan and cohesion. Not a group of individual stars doing the minimum in most games. Whether they like it or not Neymar JR and Messi are representative of that strategy. Kylian Mbappe was the only player to be cheered.
Fans are also disgruntled with non traditional colours being represented in the players shirts. The PSG Directors have often decided that players wear the new black kit when playing at home, rather than the established blue and red home kit. The marketing over tradition ploy is unpopular with the die hard supporters. The victory did little to appease the fans and goals from Neymar and Paredes were mutely applauded. Mbappe’s 15th goal of the season was more warmly applauded. PSG have the following players injured; Juan Bernat, Sergio Ramos, Layvin Kurzawa, Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria. Lionel Messi is a doubt after not training on Friday due to illness.
French Footy prediction: Monaco 1 - PSG 2
Lorient V Strasbourg - Kicks off at 14:00 GMT
Lorient had a hugely significant win last weekend beating Clermont 2-0 away from home. That result dragged Clermont back in to the relegation battle, narrowed the gap between the two clubs to a point and pulled Lorient out of the bottom three. Les Merlus scored twice in four minutes second half minutes to secure victory. Terem Moffi, so prolific last season but struggling in this campaign, was replaced by Ibrahima Koné after 61 minutes. 11 minutes later Koné was quick to react to a mix up in the Clermont defense, showed good strength to hold off a defender and finished calmly. The Malian now has three goals in six substitute appearances since arriving from Sarpsborg 08 on the January transfer deadline day. In that form he may get his first start here. Not long after centre back Léo Pétrot shouldered in a free kick for his first goal for the club. There was a lot of positives for manager Christophe Pélissier to take from this game. Not least because it was the first time that Lorient had won two consecutive Ligue 1 games in five years.
Whilst they sit in 17th place and just a point over Saint Etienne in 18th, Lorient have distanced themselves a little from Metz and Bordeaux. Another victory here could take them up to 15th but they may finder it harder to win points this weekend against one of the form teams in the division. Midfielder Fabien Lemoine (1 assist) is unavailable through injury as is striker Stephane Diarra after injuring his quadriceps in training on Wednesday.
After three draws in a row Strasbourg got an important win over Monaco last weekend. the 1-0 home victory came courtesy of a bicycle kick from, of all people, centre back Alexandre Djiku. It was brilliant executed by the centre back and his first goal of the season. The 27 year old Ghanaian International is having a fantastic season.
Les Coureurs are now six games unbeaten with just one loss in the last ten. Julien Stéphan keeps getting the best out of this team with little recruitment in his first season as Strasbourg Manager. It will be interesting to see if he gets money to spend in the summer and how he’ll spend it. The following players remain out through injury: defender Maxime Le Marchand, midfielder Ismael Doukoure and forward Adrien Thomasson. French Footy prediction: Monaco 1 - Strasbourg 1
Rennes V Metz - Kicks off at 14:00 GMT
Rennes had mixed fortunes over the last week. They played brilliantly last weekend to win at Lyon 4-2 and beat Leicester at home on Thursday only to lose on aggregate 3-2. It’s a shame to see Rennes go out of the Europa Conference at this stage as I always felt this was a competition they could win. They played well in both legs but perhaps their European inexperience showed a little in the first leg where they lost two late goals. They were so close to going through and Bruno Genesio was furious that VAR didn’t check a handball and possible penalty for his team just seconds before the final whistle. The experience of the run will stand them in good stead. Now it’s all about their league form and trying to finish second in the league. Rennes have spent more money on players this season than any other Ligue 1 club bar PSG. It’s been spent wisely and the Bretons are great to watch, attacking with power and pace. They’ve scored some fantastic goals this season most recently Martin Terrier’s thunderbolt from outside the area at Lyon. That goal against his previous club was the 25 year olds 14th league goal of the season.
Rennes have a few injury concerns here. Goalkeeper Alfred Gomis is out with a broken finger but Doğan Alemdar filled in well for him against Leicester. Defenders Loic Bade and Jeremy Gelin and striker Kamal-Deen Sulemana are also out.
Another game without a win but another clean sheet and point. The 0-0 draw at home to Lens was the seventh time in nine games they have not scored. They really should have scored against Lens. Kevin N’Doram missed the easiest of headers to put his side ahead from a corner. Left back Fali Candé forced a good save from the goalkeeper with well struck free kick. The 24 year old from Guinea-Bissau has slotted in well at Metz since signing from Portimonense in January.
Despite not scoring Les Grenats performed well . Perhaps that will be a springboard for them to start scoring and winning more points. It will be difficult here though against a quality side. Metz are once again missing a clutch of players, some of them crucial. Right back and joint top scorer (with just 4 goals) Fabien Centonze has been out for weeks which is a big miss. Left back Thomas Delaine, midfielders Boubacar Traore and Habib Maiga (2 goals) are also injured. French Footy prediction: Rennes 1 - Metz 0
Angers V Brest - Kicks off at 14:oo GMT
Angers' awful run continues. Their latest defeat 1-0 home against Reims is their seventh in a row and they have just one win in eleven games. Les Scoistes are also struggling to score goals and have hit the net just six times in eleven matches. The major disappointment in losing this game is that Reims were down to ten men for most of the game. Angers had more possession as you would expect and created chances but didn't make them count. Their best chance came from Angelo Fulgini who's audacious lob on the volley clipped the bar. Angers also saw the ball cleared off the line.
The frustration showed for Angers in the last few minutes when right back Vincent Manceau was sent off for a second yellow card offence. It was a bad ay in what has been a dismal few months for the club from the Loire. Pressure is mounting on Manager Gérald Baticle. His side are now just two points above the relegation places.
Brest were well beaten at home last weekend to Marseille 4-1. They were beaten in every department with the only bright spot coming in Irvin Cardona's 91st minute consolation goal. This is an important game for them as Angers are just below them in the league although six points separate them. Brest are in little danger of relegation which is an achievement in itself but a loss here would be a step in the wrong direction. Les Pirates are not in good form after losing the last three games and not winning in four. They have a habit of pulling out results when they really need one and on their day are dangerous on the counter attack. Michel Der Zakarian will be pleased to have centre back Brendan Chardonnet (2 goals) back for this game following his recent suspension. Defender Ronael Pierre Gabriel remains injured whilst Christophe Herelle is out through illness.
French Footy prediction: Angers 1 - Brest 1
Bordeaux V Montpellier - Kicks off at 14:oo GMT - Live on BT Sport 3
Bordeaux lost easily last week at 3-0 at PSG. Whilst there is no shame in losing at the Parc Des Princes it’s yet another match gone without a win. Les Girondins started well enough with Remi Oudin’s shot from distance forcing the keeper in to a good save and Jean Onana‘s header went just wide. They remain rooted to the foot of the table and have only won one match in ten league games. The 3-0 defeat also did nothing to help with their awful goal difference that is by far the worst in the league -30. It’s hard to gauge their performance given they were playing Paris but they must have been disappointed not to score with Alberth Elis back in the team. Against Montpellier they have to create more chances, particularly for Elis and Hwang Ui-Jo who have goals in them.
This famous old club is in a mess and must get something from this game. They are not helped by the suspension of Oudin (4 goals 4 assists) and injuries. First choice goalkeeper Benoit Costil remains out as do midfielder Tom Lacoux and striker Jimmy Briand.
Montpellier drew 0-0 with high flying Nice last weekend at home but really should have won. With Nice having a man sent off in the first half Montpellier had the chance to go one up through the resulting penalty. Teji Savanier stepped up for what should have been 7th league goal of the season. Unfortunately for Montpellier his Panenka style penalty was completely telegraphed and weak. Embarrassingly it dropped easily in to the goalkeepers arms. Savanier remains Montpellier’s most creative player but has now missed three of his last four penalties.
The 30 year old attacking midfielder later whipped in a delicious cross which was met by Valere Germain only for the ball to crash off the post. Montpellier late saw another shot hit the post then get cleared off the line in a goal mouth scramble. It just wasn’t their day but a point against Nice isn’t a bad result. It’s just one win in six league matches for La Paillade which is a concern for Manager Olivier Dall'Oglio. They are 11th in the table but a couple of wins would put them right back in to the fiercely contested European race. Montpellier have no new injuries but are still missing the following players: defenders Thibault Tamas and Pedro Mendes long term and centre back Mamadou Sakho and attacking midfielder Stephy Mavididi (9 goals 3 assists) until the end of March.
French Footy prediction: Bordeaux 1 - Montpellier 1
Reims V Lyon - Kicks off at 16:05 GMT - Live on BT Sport 3
Reims got a good win at Angers last weekend. The victory saw them distance themselves from Angers and overtake Brest to go 12th in Ligue 1. Les Rouges Et Blanc's recent form means they are in no danger of relegation at all. Oscar Garcia has defied expectations with this young team who are unbeaten in four games and have just one loss in six. The only goal of the game came in the 24th minute when winger Alexis Flips tame shot was spilled by the goalkeeper.
The game could have turned against Reims when forward Anastasios Donis was sent off for a late tackle after just 34 minutes. The English/Greek (born in Blackburn) has been a bit of disappointment since signing from VFB Stuttgart in July 2021. Two red cards and no goals. Now he's banned for this game. Even with ten men Reims showed some attacking intent with wing back Ghislain Konan breaking from the left and hitting the post. There was some fight shown her by the Champagne team to hold on for the win. Reims' form is all the more impressive given their injury list. The following players remain out until at least the end of the month: Defender Andrew Gravillon, midfielders Jens Cajuste and Moussa Doumbia and striker Hugo Ekitike (9 goals).
Lyon’s current 10th place is their worst league position at this stage of the season in 25 years. I’m convinced their is a decent team there particularly with the signings of Tanguy Ndombele and Romain Faivre. They are in danger of not qualifying for Europe which would be unthinkable. However the race for Europe is so contested that a win here could put them up to sixth. The manner of the home defeat last weekend to Rennes was a bit of a surprise. As good a team as Rennes are, surely no one would have expected the Bretons to race into a 4-0 lead after 49 minutes. Lyon dominated possession and created plenty of chances. Only two were on target which resulted in late goals. Les Gines had a much better result and performance a few days later when they drew 1-1 at home to Porto in the Europa League. Moussa Dembélé's 11th goal of the season was enough to seal a 2-1 aggregate victory over the Primeira Liga leaders. They will now face West Ham in the quarter finals. Les Lyonnais have given a good account of themselves in Europe this year.
This is a big game for Lyon. If they get the victory they could fade away in the race for Europe. They have now injury concerns but the following players remain out: Defenders Jérome Boateng and Sinaly Diomande, midfielder Mathis Rayan Cherki and forward Lenny Pintor.
French Footy prediction: Reims 1 - Lyon 2
Marseille V Nice - Kicks off at 19:45 GMT - Live on BT Sport 3
Marseille had an important victory last week winning 4-1 at Brest. They performed well, dominated the game and created plenty of chances. They opened the scoring as early as the third minute. Pape Gueye won the ball in midfield and Les Marseillais broke quickly. Arkadiusz Milik held up the ball well and set up Gerson who finished for his 5th goal of the season. Milik later scored with a header directly from a corner for his 6th league goal of the campaign.
Amine Harit and Cengiz Under finished things off. Under's goal was significant because a three goal lead was needed to put Les Marseillais back up to second in the table following Nice's draw at Montpellier. The good form continued into Thursday's Europa League at home to Basle. Already 2-0 up on aggregate Les Marseillais won 2-1 with another goal from Under and a late strike from Valentin Rongier. This is a huge game for both sides as only goal difference separates them. A draw here would suit Marseille more than Les Nicois as it would keep them above the latter Both teams need to be wary of Rennes who could leapfrog them if they win and this does finish in a draw. Marseille have no suspensions or injuries as Dimitri Payet is recovered and fit to play.
Nice were disappointing in their 0-0 draw at Montpellier last week. They started well enough with Andy Delort beating the keeper but hitting the post. Les Aiglons weren't helped by the 35 minute sending off of their influential centre back Dante. The veteran Brazilian is 38 years old but is an important player for Nice and will be a big miss for this match. Pablo Rosario, who's having a good season in central midfield, may have to be pushed in to defence for this game in Dante's absence.
The foul resulted in a penalty which was missed, luckily for Nice. Christophe Galtier's team had a few scares with Montpellier hitting the post and having to scramble a ball off their goalline. They managed to hold on though for what may be a valuable point in their quest to finish second. Les Nicois are having a great season, not only pushing for a Champions League place but also in getting to the Coupe De France final. Galtier is proving his Managerial worth again after keeping Saint-Étienne up then winning them the Coupe De Ligue in 2013 and winning Ligue 1 with Lille last season. If he can get a victory at his hometown club, where he played and coached, it will be a huge step towards the goal of Champions League football. This should be a hugely contested game in a fierce atmosphere hopefully without the crowd trouble that marred the reverse fixture in August and cost Nice a point. Nice have only Dante unavailable for this game.
French Footy prediction: Marseille 2 - Nice 2
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