Ligue 1 - Round 9 - Sunday fixtures

Lens kicked off the weekend's action with a convincing 2 - 0 win over Reims on Friday night. Lens remain second, six point behind Paris Saint Germain who have a game in hand over them. That game is the first kick off of the day at Rennes. Can Rennes nick a point and give the rest of Ligue 1 hope that the League title isn't already won? How will the rest of the league respond to Nice winning again and Montpellier and Strasbourg earning a point from each other.

Results so far this weekend:

Lens 2 V Reims 0

(Kalimuendo 45+1 pen - 52.)

Montpellier 1 V Strasbourg 1

(Mollet 12) (Gameiro 28)

Nice 2 V Brest 1

(Todibo 45 Bard 61) - (Honorat 92)

Rennes V PSG - Kicks off at 12:00 - Live on BT Sport 1

Rennes have had a difficult start to the season whilst showing glimpses of how good they can be. They have won only one of their last six games but in that time held Tottenham to a 2 - 2 draw in the Europa League and thrashed Clermont 6 - 0. Last week they travelled to struggling Bordeaux and put in a quality performance. Sulemana, Martin, Terrier and Laborde all came close to scoring before the latter broke the deadlock on 56 minutes. Laborde was an excellent signing from Montpellier at the end of the summer transfer window and now has three goals for his new Club. Sulemana (pictured) is also looking like an excellent addition to the squad and his strong, pacy running is dangerous to defences. He's only 19 and definitely one to keep an eye on.

The Bretons completely dominated the game at Bordeaux but didn't take their chances and fell victim to an 88th minute shot that went in through a crowd of bodies. It leaves Bruno Génésio under pressure having won only two of their eight league games and after spending significantly on new players in the Summer. I feel like it's starting to click for Rennes though and they could go on a run. They had a terrific result on Thursday night beating SBC Vitesse 2 - 1 away from home in the Europa Conference League. That result puts them second in the qualifying group just behind Tottenham on goal difference. Unfortunately for them they are hosting the best team in the League who will be incredibly hard to keep out. Les Rennais' attacking players of Tait, Sulemana, Terrier and Laborde should create chances against Paris. However they will need to be much more clinical in this match if they are to have any chance.

PSG are flying. Eight league wins from eight and a huge result and performance against Manchester City on Tuesday. They beat Montpellier without too much trouble last weekend again without the injured Lionel Messi. Paris' opening goal against Montpellier was a left foot thunderbolt from outside the area through Idrissa Gana Gueye. The Senegalese International has added goals to his game this season. One of the few things he was missing in previous seasons, particularly at Everton. In Paris's biggest test of the season so far it was Gueye, once again, who opened the scoring against Manchester City in just the 8th minute. That goal followed a nice move involving Messi, Mbappe and Hakimi. From there Manchester City actually were the better side. Pep Guardiola's team had more possession, created more chances, hit the bar twice and might have had a penalty. However in the 74th minute Messi sparked in to life. The Argentinian went on a run from his own half, cut in from the right, played a delightful one-two with Mbappe and fired a shot in to the top corner from the edge of the area. The movement and finish was vintage Messi and a great way for the former Barcelona player to open his account for his new side.

It must have been pleasing for Mauricio Pochettino to see Mbappe and Messi link up so well after Mbappe not being allowed to leave for Madrid in the summer. Mbappe still gets booed at the Parc Des Princes for wanting to leave and not signing a new contract but there is no doubt he gives his all on the pitch. If things do really click between Mbappe, Messi and Neymar then the rest of Ligue has no hope of pushing PSG for the title. I still think Paris can be beaten. They are unbalanced when these three play and Messi and Neymar do little for large parts of games. However Pochettino will be happy to sacrifice the delivery and work rate of someone like Angel Di Maria if his stars score goals like Messi's against City. There is friction in Pochettino's squad, particularly between Mbappe and Neymar. The former is reportedly unhappy that the Brazilian doesn't pick out his runs as he does other players. There is also the Goalkeeping issue with Gianluigi Donnarumma occasionly coming in for Keylor Navas only to perform well and be dropped again. Neither Keeper can be happy with this scenario and Donnarumma is reportedly looking for a summer move to Juventus. As we've said before, if PSG keep winning none of these issues matter too much. Start dropping points though and things may unravel slightly. Probably not this weekend though.

Frenchfooty prediction: Rennes 1 V PSG 2

Nantes V Troyes - Kicks off at 14:00

Nantes were coming off back to back wins but came surprisingly unstuck last weekend at Reims. After falling behind to a second half goal from a corner, Les Canaris rallied and equalised through Moses Simon.

The 26 year old Nigerian has been in decent form this season and created five goals for his teammates. This was his first goal of the season, cutting in from the left wing, powering himself in to the box and finding the bottom corner. Simon loves running with the ball and uses his power to great effect but I actually think his final ball is often quite poor. Simon at times elects to shoot when he has a better pass on. If he can improve on his final ball he'll get a lot more assists than he actually already has. Antoine Kombouaré will be disappointed that his side didn't create more chances and ended up losing 3 - 1. Other than the goal Nantes only had one shot on target. That must be discouraging for Kombouaré after his side scored seven in the previous two games. Consistency will be an issue for Nantes this season I think but they have enough to stay up. They have no new injury worries here or suspensions and really need to go for the win against another team that is struggling.

Troyes picked up a valuable point last week at home to Angers but still have just one win this season. They are yet to win at home, lie 17th in the table and are only above Metz on goal difference. Troyes took the lead early against Angers when Mama Baldé raced on to a loose ball and slotted past the Keeper. That was the Wingers first goal for his new club after signing from Dijon in the summer.

The goal came after defender Giulian Biancone pressured Angers in to losing the ball in their own half. ESTAC (Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne) were on top for the rest of the half and might have taken the lead when Yoann Touzghar forced a save from the Goalkeeper. Things went wrong for Laurent Batlles' side when Captain Jimmy Giraudon made a rash challenge in the box. After a VAR check Giraudon was booked and a penalty was given. The penalty was dispatched and the game remained level until two minutes from time when defender Oualid El Hajjam thought he'd scored a winner with a far post header. The goal was ruled out, rightly in my view, due to a Troyes player blocking the Goalkeeper. If it hadn't been ruled out for a block then I would have thought it would have been for offside anyway. The Troyes players didn't agree and Giraudon received a second yellow for his remonstrations. Giraudon's sending off is Troyes second red card of the season and Battles will now be without his Captain for this game. Biancone will also miss this game due to an accumulation of yellow cards and veteran defender Adil Rami is yet to play for the club. Rami now has an issue with his calf so is unlikely to play here either. That leaves Troyes very short at the back and could be a deciding factor in this game.

Frenchfooty prediction: Nantes 1 V Troyes 0

Monaco V Bordeaux - Kicks off at 14:00 - Live on BT Sport ESPN

After an awful start to the season Monaco have found their form. They are unbeaten in five games and have finally found a way to bring consistency to their League and European matches. They won at Clermont last week before getting a decent draw at Real Sociedad in Thursday's Europa League match. Niko Kovač's side weren't brilliant against Clermont and went behind to an early goal. They were however clinical, scoring all three of their shots on target. Les Monegasques' strike duo were on the score sheet again. Wissam Ben Yedder equalised with his fourth league goal of the season. Kevin Volland put Monaco ahead for his second of the current league campaign before young substitutes Myron Boadu and Sofiane Diop combined to make it three. That was Diop's third league goal of the season and fourth in all competitions. The 21 year old attacking midfielder is one of several talented young players being given plenty of game time this season.

That Kovač clearly has faith in his young players was demonstrated in the team he picked to play at Sociedad. Boadu, Diop, Kevin Diatta and Axel Disasi all started in Spain on Thursday night with Disasi scoring to earn a valuable point. The result puts them second in their group behind PSV Eindhoven (on goal difference only) whilst keeping senior players like Yedder, Volland, Martins and Golovin fresh for this game. Monaco have no major injury concerns so should feel confident going in to this one.

Bordeaux have struggled all season but are unbeaten in three games. They were lucky last week against Rennes who dominated the game but couldn't convert numerous chances to go 2 - 0 up. Les Bordelais also relied heavily on Goalkeeper Benoit Costil who made several good saves to keep his side in the game. Bordeaux didn't give up and equalised on 88 minutes when defender Edson André Sitoe (also known as Mexer) smashed in a shot through a crowd of bodies following a corner. That was Mexer's first goal for Bordeaux and was against the side he came from in 2019. Vladimir Petković's side have showed some tenacity even in the games they've lost, often coming back from one or two goals down. With that said they'll have to play better if they are going to get anything at the Stade Louis II today. Les Girondins' best players this season have been midfielder Yacine Adli and striker Hwang Ui-jo. Adli has already signed for A.C Milan but remains at Bordeaux until the end of the season on loan. The 21 year old passes well and uses his size to hold the ball effectively. Petković will need to get as much out of the youngster as possible before the end of the season.

Hwang meanwhile is his teams top scorer with three goals and set up Mexer for the equaliser last weekend. Bordeaux are still missing their Captain Laurent Koscielny with an ankle injury.

Frenchfooty prediction: Monaco 2 V Bordeaux 1

Angers V Metz - Kicks off at 14:00

Gérald Baticle has turned Angers Sporting Club de l'Ouest around since taking over in May. Angers finished 13th last season but were only 4 points above the 18th placed relegation play off place. Only bottom placed Dijon scored less goals than them and only four teams conceded less than them. During the summer Angers could only sign a trio of youngsters due to financial issues. And yet Baticle has got them organised, pressing high and attacking quickly and with style. After eight games they lie fifth with three wins, four draws and a solitary defeat. Les Scoïstes have not won in four games but with the start his team have had I don't think Baticle will care. They picked up a point last week at Troyes with Thomas Mangani converting his second penalty of the season.

17 year old Mohamed Cho once again showed a glimpse of his talent, twisting and turning to find himself space in the box and forcing a near post save.

Metz got a huge result last weekend getting their first win of the season at Brest. Manager Frédéric Antonetti had to watch this one from the stands after being banned from the touchline for his reaction to Dylan Bronn's sending off against PSG a week ago. Antonetti would have been pleased to see his team go ahead twice despite giving up a lot of the possession to the home team. Nicolas de Préville scored his first for the club since signing as a free agent at the end of August. The 3o year old turned in Lamine Gueye's cross and later caused more problems for Brest with a corner whipped in towards Pajot who shot straight at the Keeper. After a dubious penalty awarded against them Metz won the game with a deflected shot from right back Fabien Centonze.

Centonze now has three for the season and is his side's top scorer. In what has been a tough season so far the former Lens player has been of one of Les Grenats' bright points. The 25 year old loves to get forwards and is a decent passer of the ball. Metz remain in trouble and lie in 18th place on just six points after eight games. They have shown improvement in their last two games but will miss in form centre back Boubakar Kouyaté. The Malian has been playing well at the back and been a threat at the the other end too, hitting a post at Strasbourg with a long range shot and scoring against PSG. He is suspended for this one due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Dylan Bronn will come back in to the side after his suspension last week. This should be one of a few close games in the league this weekend. Both teams could do with a win but I think a draw is the most likely outcome.

Frenchfooty prediction: Angers 1 V Metz 1

Lorient V Clermont Foot - Kicks off at 14:00

Lorient continue to defy expectations and are on a run of good form. They have only lost once all season and are unbeaten in five games after drawing at in form Lyon last weekend. Les Merlus had a bit of luck when they benefited from a dubious sending off for their opponents. However the resulting free kick was spectacular from Armand Laurienté. His strike from distance found the top corner giving the Goalkeeper no chance. That was the 22 year olds third goal of the season and he is part of a dangerous forward partnership with Terem Moffi (2 goals, 2 assists).

Lorient have been particularly impressive at home this season, winning all three games and only conceding one goal. Manager Christophe Pélissier will be without striker Adrian Grbic who has a sprained ankle and defender Laurent Abergel who is suspended.

Clermont started well against Monaco last week with star striker Mohamed Bayo scoring after seven minutes. Bayo is now Clermont's joint top scorer this season on four goals alongside Elbasan Rashani.

Unfortunately they were then undone by Monaco's clinical finishing and lost 3 - 1. Goalkeeper Arthur Desmas will feel he should have done better for the third goal after spilling a tame shot. Pascal Gastien's team have lost their last two games and are without a win in six games. Considering they have already played PSG, Lyon and Monaco and are 15th in the league they shouldn't be too worried. They have no injuries or suspensions for this game but may struggle to break Lorient down.

Frenchfooty prediction: Lorient 1 V Clermont 0

Lille V Marseille - Kicks off at 16:00 - Live on BT Sport ESPN

Lille have back to back wins for the first time this season. Last weeks 2-1 win at Strasbourg sees Les Dogues jump to 9th in the table. Lille started well in Alsace last weekend with Jonathan David looking particularly lively. The Canadian had an early chance then opened the scoring on 31 minutes, turning in Timothy Weah's ball across the box. Weah, son of Liberian footballing legend George, started up front alongside David in place of Burak Yilmaz. Yilmaz, who played well the previous week against Reims, was rested for this game with an upcoming Europa League match in mind. Weah's determination and tenacity paid off when he won the ball inside the Strasbourg area to set David up for his third goal of the season. David then got his fourth of the season in the second half when he converted a 57th minute penalty. Strasbourg did pull one back but Jocelyn Gourvennec's team were worthy winners. It's a shame they couldn't do the same in the Europa League on Wednesday night. Les Lillois lost 2 - 1 at RB Salzburg and are now bottom of their group after two games. Lille look to have turned a corner though and I think we'll see some more consistency from them in the coming weeks. One aspect of Lille's team to keep an eye on is the emergence of young English Winger Angel Gomes.

He has started most games this season for Lille on the left side of midfield. Born in Edmonton but a product of the Manchester United academy, Gomes signed for Lille in August 2020. He was immediately loaned out to Boavista where he scored six goals in 30 league appearances. He is said to read the game very well, likes to cut in on his favoured right foot and dribble with the ball. It will be exciting to see how he develops now Gourvennec has given him a chance.

Marseille suffered their first loss of the season at home to Lens last weekend. After going 2 - 0 down they did well to make it 2 - 2 before half time. On his 600th professional appearance Dimitri Payet dragged L'OM back into it with a free kick from distance and a penalty initially won by Dieng. In the second half Marseille may have taken the lead. Cengiz Ünder had a chance and Cheikh Dieng had a strong header right at the Keeper. They fell behind on 71 minutes and couldn't get back on level terms. In what was a close game it was significant that the Marseille fans stayed behind to applaud their team off the pitch. Marseille fans are not scared to let their players know when they don't think things are good enough. This was a clear message that the supporters are right behind Jorge Sampaoli and the effort and style of play of his team are displaying. In the last few games Winger Konrad de la Fuente has started on the bench. Partly due to Marseille's congested fixture list and partly due to the form of youngster Cheikh Dieng. It's understandable given Dieng's form but Marseille did not look balanced against Lens. I would rather see De La Fuente start on the left with Dieng up front and Payet just behind him. Marseille will be delighted to have seen the return of Striker Arkadiusz Milik during the Europa League game on Thursday. Milik was looking like the prolific goal scorer Les Marseillais have been missing for years after signing from Napoli in January. Unfortunately a knee injury has kept him out this season but he should start against Lille today. The midweek game at home to Galatasaray frustratingly finished 0 - 0. Sampaoli's side completely dominated the match and should have won. Cengiz Ünder was a constant threat on the right wing and has been one of the players of the season so far. With him on one wing, De La Fuente on the other and Milik up front Marseille have the capability to rip teams open.

As it stands they have two points from two games in the Europa League group stage and will need to get something from the next game at Lazio in three weeks. Marseille have hit a bit of patchy form but are playing well. They really need to win here if they are going to keep pushing for a Champions League place. It will be interesting to see who Sampaoli picks for the first eleven.

Frenchfooty prediction: Lille 1 V Marseille 2

Saint-Étienne V Lyon - Kicks off at 20:00 - Live on BT Sport 3

I keep saying Saint-Étienne will stay up this season but it's becoming increasingly difficult to keep that argument going. I fully expected them to lose to Nice last weekend but they were dismantled too easily 3 - 0. The last thing they need is a Rhône-Alpes Derby against a Lyon team finally finding form. Every week Claude Puel sees his side create chances but lack the cutting edge to put them away. Les Verts started the season with three draws in which they conceded four goals. Since then they have lost five games conceding thirteen goals and only scoring three. I don't think they have an awful squad but their recruitment was next to nil in the summer and they are paying for it. They will again be without defender Yvann Maçon who has not featured for the last three matches due to a calf injury. Goalkeeper Etienne Green will come back in after his suspension to replace Stefan Bajic. Although Bajic conceded three last week he did pull off some good saves to stop it being worse. Home support will help Les Stephanois against their closest rivals but I don't think it will be enough. Saint-Étienne have the capability to get at Lyon with their pacy attacking players Bouanga, Hamouma and Nordin. Beating them though is a different challenge, Nordin rarely starts and Bouanga, arguably Saints best player, is being taken off regularly. Wahbi Khazri (pictured) remains the top scorer on three goals but hasn't hit the net since the narrow defeat to Bordeaux a few weeks ago.

Puel's side are rock bottom and one of only two teams (with Brest) to not have a single victory this season. The good news for Puel is that after this game his team have a run of games they'd hope to pick points up in. That's if the former Lyon Manager is still in the job by then.

Lyon are in good form although they would have expected to beat Lorient at home last week. Les Lyonnais were undone by the referee when he sent off left back Emerson. The referee judged the Brazilian to have tripped Enzo Le Fée whilst running at goal. The replays appear to show that it was just a collision and after a very long VAR check the decision stood. Lorient then took the lead through the resulting free kick. Despite being down to ten men Lyon pressed for an equaliser and got it five minutes in to the second half when Karl Toko Ekambi powered in to the box. That was Ekambi's first league goal of the season. Lyon thought they'd scored a 95th minute winner through Paqueta but it was ruled out by VAR This just was not Lyon's day but nevertheless they picked up a point whilst having ten men for the majority of the game. Les Gones had another game just four days later when they hosted Brondby in the Europa League. Ekambi got his third then fourth goals of the season against the Danes before Houssem Aouar wrapped things up with his first of the season.

Lyon's win and general form is all the more impressive given that they are lacking their natural Striker and joint leading goal scorer Moussa Dembele (4 goals with Paqueta and Ekambi). Dembele has missed recent games with a calf injury and will be out for this Derby as well. Striker Islam Slimani and defenders Jason Denayer and Jérome Boateng are doubts for this game and could face late fitness tests. If Slimani isn't fit then we should see either Paqueta, Ekambi or Tino Kadewere play up front. Kadewere's season has been hampered by injury but he came off the bench against Brondby and could play a part here.

Frenchfooty prediction: Saint-Étienne 1 V Lyon 2