Ligue 1 - Round 12 - Sunday fixtures

This weekend has seen yet another late 2-1 win for PSG a much needed point for both Metz and Saint-Étienne although both will have been desperate for the win and and a huge victory for Lyon over Lens. Let's see what today brings.

Ligue 1 results so far:

PSG 2 V Lille 1

(Marquinhos 74, Di Maria 88) - (David 31)

Metz 1 V Saint-Étienne 1

(Boulaya 9) - (Khazri 16)

Lyon 2 V Lens 1

(Toko Ekambi 25, Aouar 41) -(Kalimuendo 61)

Angers V Nice - Kicks off at 12:00 - Live on BT Sport 3

Angers will be disappointed with throwing a 2-0 lead away at Saint-Étienne last weekend. It was however another point gained in what is turning out to be a remarkable season for Les Scoistes. Who’d have thought Angers would be in 6th place after eleven games. Some of the football they played against Les Verts was indicative of how well they are playing this season. Angers had taken the lead early in the first half when Captain Ismaël Traoré headed in from a free kick. From their they played some lovely football with impressive movement and understanding between Fulgini and Boufal. It was Fulgini who finished off an incredibly quick counter attack for his side’s second goal. Angers broke quickly from their own half, Fulgini played a one two with Jimmy Cabot and finished nicely. That's two in two for the attacking midfielder.

Last season Angers were a side that used their physicality to grind out points. This season under Gérald Baticle they have added an attacking style that seems to suit their players. Their front three of Fulgini, Boufal and Bahoken seem to be on an improved wavelength whilst Jimmy Cabot on the right wing is always a threat with his pace and skill. Added to that they have the exciting prospect Mohamed Ali Cho to come off the bench. It is interesting to watch their season develop.

Nice were all over Marseille for the first 40 minutes of their replayed game on Wednesday evening. Amine Gouiri gave them an early lead for his sixth goal of the season but Todibo and Guessan wasted great chances to further the lead. Les Niçois continued to dominate the half but were pegged back to 1-1 on 42 minutes. The second half saw both teams become warier of conceding and the game finished 1-1. Nice didn‘t have their strongest team out as neither Delort, Dolberg or Stengs played. The strikers should be back for this game but Stengs remains unavailable with a muscle injury. The highlight for Les Aiglons was the performance of young striker Evann Guessand.

Although the 20 year old missed a good chance he played well and set up Gouiri for his goal. A point against Marseille was not a bad result particularly after beating Lyon last weekend. Christophe Galtier’s team could do with a run of wins now to put the pressure on Paris.

French Footy prediction: Angers 1 V Nice 1

Montpellier V Nantes - Kicks off at 14:00

Montpellier are one of a number of teams in Ligue 1 to have real talent but struggle to get any consistency. They weren't completely outplayed last week at Monaco but were comfortably beaten 3-1. Their goal came from a late penalty which was dispatched by their Captain and talisman Téji Savanier. Savanier is so often involved in everything good that comes from Montpellier.

There's so much to enjoy about La Paillade's play when they are going forward but you wonder where they'd be without Savanier. Olivier Dall'Oglio is doing well with this side considering there was little recruitment and they lost their strike partnership of Laborde and Delort, late in the transfer window. He has a great front four full of movement and energy but his squad is light and I wonder if they are becoming a bit predictable. Given some money to spend he could probably build on what he has but that is unlikely. Montpellier have no new injuries or suspensions to worry about this week. This will be a tough game for them as Nantes are on a good run.

Les Nantais are in great form. Just one loss in six with four wins in that time. Their latest victory came at home to Clermont last week. Nantes made the most of having an extra man after Clermont had a man sent off on 30 minutes. Andrei Girotto put Les Canaris in front eight minutes later, stroking in his third goal of the campaign from a free kick. Just a minute after the goal right back Sébastien Corchia was sent off to even up the numbers. Antoine Kombouaré's side were pegged back to 1-1 but once again Ludovic Blas came up with the important winner. Blas finished well for his sixth goal of the season after a great run and cut back from Randal Kolo Muani. Blas initiated the move with a great ball in to Muani then sprinted to the edge of the box to finish. Not much was expected from Nantes this season given they only stayed up after winning the relegation play off over Toulouse at the the last campaign's end. They had a poor start to the season but Kombouaré has instilled a bit of steel in to this side and got more out of his attacking players.

Muani and Moses Simon have a lot of power and pace whilst Blas has the skill and vision. Nantes' main issue this season has been consistency and this is the first time they have gone three games unbeaten. Can they make it four?

French Footy prediction: Montpellier 1 V Nantes 1.

Troyes V Rennes - Kicks off at 14:00

Troyes now have back to back wins for the first time this season after wins over Nice and Reims. Their recent 2-1 win at their Champagne rivals means they now sit 15th and six points above the relegation places. They went behind in the first half but reacted well and Mama Baldé equalised on 41 minutes with his third goal of the season.

The goal game after good work from Renaud Ripart and Yoann Touzghar who both look to have found their form. Ripart, signed from Nimes in the summer, is a clever player and can link the play well whilst Touzghar is a handful up front. Troyes' second goal came from midfielder Xavier Chavalerin who is having a good season. His first time volley from the edge of the area took a slight deflection and flew in. This was a huge result for Laurent Battles' team who have generally played well this season without always getting the results they deserve.

Les Rennais are flying and have won their last five including their Europa Conference matches. Their latest victory came over Strasbourg last weekend with Nayef Aguerd getting the only goal of the game. The Moroccan defender rose highest from a corner to head in his first league goal of the season.

Rennes bossed the possession and created a lot of chances but needed to rely on their Goalkeeper to keep them in front. Alfred Gomis made some good saves throughout but particularly right at the end when he tipped a powerful header over the bar. Bruno Génésio‘s team are a bit like Troyes in that their performances have not always resulted in points. They had a tough start to the season but if they keep winning tight games as they did last week they’ll have a great season.

French Footy prediction: Troyes 1 V Rennes 2

Strasbourg V Lorient - Kicks off at 14:00

After losing narrowly at Rennes last week Strasbourg have just one win in four games. They give every team a close game at the very least but remain inconsistent. Les Coureurs had chances to score at Rennes, particularly through strikers Ajorque and Diallo, but weren’t clinical enough. At the other end Goalkeeper Matz Sels had to pull off some good saves to keep his side level until late on when he was beaten from a corner.

I think this is a period of transition for Strasbourg. New Manager Julien Stéphan must be hoping they can do enough to hold on to their good attacking players and hopefully strengthen the squad in the summer. Strasbourg will again be without defender Maxime Le Marchand due to suspension.

Lorient are now on a run of just one defeat in eight games. They are without a win in the last four but picking up points and ticking along nicely. Les Merlus have only been beaten twice this season and sit 10th and in no danger of a relegation scrap. Christophe Pélissier has his team playing an attacking brand of football despite playing with five at the back.

It’s notable that todays opponents Strasbourg also play with five in defence but are less attacking than the Bretons despite having quality strikers in their team. Lorient have their own threat up front with Terem Moffi (2 goals and 2 assists) and Armand Laurienté (4 goals). Laurienté missed last weeks 1-1 draw at home to Bordeaux and unfortunately will miss this game too with a back injury. They will also be without midfielder Thomas Mangani (3 goals 2 assists) who has a muscle injury. That could be significant as both are having good seasons.

French Footy prediction: Strasbourg 1 V Lorient 1.

Bordeaux V Reims - Kicks off at 14:00 - Live on BT Sport 3

Bordeaux picked up another point at Lorient last week but that’s now five games without a win. They have just the solitary victory all season and lie in 17th place. They are not helped by their leading scorer Hwang Ui-Jo being out injured with an ankle injury. The South Korean has four goals and one assist this season and his team, not big goal scorers anyway, struggle without him. Les Bordelais will also be without midfielder Jean Onana after his late sending off last week, and defensive midfielder Otávio. Both will be missed as Onana has two goals and one assist whilst Otávio has been ever present this season. The Brazilian Otávio normally sits in front of the back four directly behind Onana. With Hwang out as well Manager Vladimir Petković has lost the spine of his team. At home though they have to go for the win against another side in difficulty.

Reims lost last time out to their Champagne rivals Troyes. Oscar Garcia’s team started well and opened the scoring after just six minutes. Captain Yunis Abdelhamid headed in a free kick at the back post for his first goal of the season. Reims had more possession and created more chances than their opponents but couldn't extend their lead and lost 2-1. Óscar García has his new team playing some nice football and is getting performances out of his young players. It may just not be enough to keep them up. I wonder if the club will let Garcia bring one or two more experienced players in, in January. The good news is they have their top scorer back this week.

Reims born 19 year old striker Hugo Ekitike was banned for the last two games following a red card against Lens. The youngster has been impressive this season (3 goals and 1 assist) and arguably Reims' best player. The will be without defender Andrew Gravillon who was sent off late against Troyes for two bookable offences. Both sides really need a win here. The onus will be on Bordeaux as the home side but with the injuries they have I think they'll struggle to score. Both teams have better away records than home which might benefit Reims.

French Footy prediction: Bordeaux 0 V Reims 1

Brest V Monaco - Kicks off at 16:00 -Live on BT Sport 3

Brest picked up a point with yet another draw last weekend at Lille. That is their sixth draw of the season and they are yet to win. Every time we mention Brest we talk about Franck Honorat and Romain Faivre. They are the two most influential players on this team and so it proved again last week. It was Faivre's deflected free kick that equalised for the Bretons. You wonder where they'd be if it wasn't for those two who can each play on the wing or as a number ten. Each is on three goals for the season with Faivre assisting four times and Honorat once. Les Pirates simply have to keep hold of them during the January transfer window or they will be relegated.

As much as Manager Michel Der Zakarian will be desperate for a home win here another draw wouldn't be a bad result for them against Monaco. The problem is they have another two tough games coming up following this one in Lorient away and then Lens at home. That could very possibly mean they get to fourteen games without a win. They have to try and keep nicking points from the better teams in the league then start beating some of the teams around them. Midfielder Hianga'a M'Bock will miss this one through suspension.

Monaco were clinical at home to Montpellier last week scoring three of their four chances on goal. Kevin Volland had his best game for some time, scoring the opener then setting up the second with an audacious cross with the outside of his left foot. Volland now has three goals and two assists for the season so far. Wissam Ben Yedder was the beneficiary of Volland's vision and nodded home his sixth league goal of the season. Gelson Martins wrapped things up later for a convincing 3-1 win. Ben Yedder and Volland are one of the best strike pairings in the league when they are on song.

Monaco are on a good run aside from their recent loss at Lyon. That has been their sole loss in nine games including their Europa League games. The issue for Manager Niko Kovač is being able to compete against the other sides vying for Europe. They have already lost to Lyon, Marseille and Lens and drawn with Nice. They need to beat these sides if they are going to qualify for Europe again.

French Footy prediction: Brest 1 V Monaco 2

Clermont Foot V Marseille - Kicks off at 19:45 - Live on BT Sport 2

Clermont have had a very strange week. They lost 2-1 at Nantes in a game where midfielder Johan Gastien was sent off but star striker Mohamed Bayo got his sixth goal of the season. The day after the match Bayo was involved in a car accident where he apparently drove through a red light, collided with another car then fled the scene on foot leaving his friends in the car. The 23 year old then returned to the scene and was found to be over the legal limit of alcohol consumption. Bayo later apologised unreservedly for his conduct via the Clubs website stating he had panicked. He will face a court case set for June 2022 but will surely be banned for this game by the club. It's a shame for Bayo and the Club as Clermont, a small club in their first ever season in Ligue 1, have been holding their own.

Now they host a strong Marseille team without Gastien and possibly Bayo. Clermont have just one win in five but are 14th in the table after eleven games and six points from the bottom three. They are doing fine but will need these two back as soon as possible.

Marseille have only one win in the last eight games including their Europa League matches. However take into consideration that in that time they have played Lens, Lazio, PSG and Nice they are not doing too badly. It's a shame for them, and the rest of the league that they couldn't quite beat a PSG side down to ten men at the Velodrome. However, whilst not scoring as many goals they have been tighter at the back in recent weeks. They rode their luck for the majority of the first half against Nice on Wednesday and were lucky that Les Aiglons didn't take the chances they had to extend their 1-0 lead. Álvaro González's indecisiveness led to Nice's goal but Marseille should have been three down in the first half. However with the first half coming to a close Dimitri Payet equalised with his sixth goal of the season. The goal was preceded by a lovely dummy from Arkadiusz Milik.

It was L'OM's fourth game in two weeks and showed as they looked tired against a fresher opponent. Jorge Sampaoli did bring a number players in to the starting eleven but Gonzalez, Henrique and Gerson didn't look up to the standard of the players they were replacing. Marseille particularly missed Turkish winger Cengiz Ünder I thought. Marseille must win here to keep the pressure on the teams above them.

French Footy prediction: Clermont Foot 0 V Marseille 2