For the first time in 2025, there will be a full slate of fixtures in France’s Ligue 1 to look ahead to this weekend. All teams in the top division will be in action, and you can find our Ligue 1 picks for matchday 17 here.
Ligue 1 Picks
Nantes vs. Monaco
Monaco’s excellent start to the season has diminished in recent weeks, as they have now lost four of their last eight in Ligue 1. Nantes haven’t fared much better, losing a club-high eleven home matches in 2024.
However, Monaco’s excellent attacking quality could prove crucial on Friday, as they failed to score in just one of their away matches in Ligue 1 in 2024.
Auxerre vs. Lille
Auxerre have an excellent strike-rate against Lille, winning half of the 60 clashes between the sides in Ligue 1. However, they come into this round without a win in their last five competitive matches.
Lille’s unbeaten sequence stands at 18 matches, and they could equal a club record set in March 1974 this weekend. Therefore, the preference is for the high-flying visitors.
Brest vs. Lyon
Best have failed to maintain the lofty standards set last season, as they are nine points worse off at this stage of the campaign. Lyon’s confidence should be high ahead of this round after winning four of their last six.
The visitors have also won 12 straight matches in which they have scored in the top-flight. Therefore, an away win looks to be among the prominent Ligue 1 picks this weekend.
Reims vs. Nice
Reims have suffered 26 defeats in 72 Ligue 1 matches against Nice; their second-most against a single rival in France. Low-scoring affairs have been evident in this fixture, with just 1.4 goals scored in the 20 meetings.
The hosts have won just once in their last nine, while Nice have suffered a single defeat in their last 12. An away win looks like a solid angle based on form lines.
Rennes vs. Marseille
Rennes recorded a 2-0 win over Marseille in the previous meeting, and could win two on the bounce against their opponents for the first time since 2016. However, Marseille are enjoying a strong season, winning ten of their opening 16.
The visitors look hard to bet against after Rennes have lost nine of their 16 matches this term.
Le Havre vs. Lens
Le Havre have suffered defeats in just 10% of their home matches against Lens in Ligue 1. However, they have suffered 12 defeats in their opening 16 games this term, and they have also lost each of their last three at home without scoring.
Lens haven’t fared much better after losing four of their last eight. Therefore, a draw this weekend is hard to dismiss.
Montpellier vs. Angers
Angers have suffered defeats in six of their last nine matches against Montpellier in Ligue 1.
However, the hosts have won just nine points this season, becoming just the 17th team in competition history to not reach ten points at this stage. Angers have won four games already this season, but they have lost two of their last three on the road. But, the narrow edge is given to the visitors.
Toulouse vs. Strasbourg
Toulouse have recorded just one win in their last 14 Ligue 1 encounters with Strasbourg. However, they come into this round after winning their last three at home, and six of their last eight overall.
Strasbourg have also recorded wins in each of their last two, and were winners on the road in their last attempt. A tight match is likely, but a narrow preference is for the visitors based on the head-to-head record.
PSG vs. St. Etienne
PSG will be considered a banker for many this weekend, but they have kicked off a calendar year with a win in just one of the last five. However, they have gone 35 without defeat against promoted teams at the Parc des Princes, and have won 43 of their 81 Ligue 1 matches against St. Etienne.
The visitors have also underperformed on the road this season, taking just one point from their first eight away matches.
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