Saturday's Ligue 1 predictions including Strasbourg vs. PSG

Angers vs. Troyes (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Angers and Troyes have little to play for but pride in the penultimate Ligue 1 action at Stade Raymond Kopa on Saturday.

Both clubs have been relegated to Ligue 2, so this weekend's meeting is an opportunity to end extended runs without maximum points.

We say: Angers 1-1 Troyes

Angers have netted in 12 of their last 13 games at Stade Raymond Kopa, while Troyes' have lacked consistency in finding the back of the net on the road — six times in 10 away games.

There is little between both clubs; thus, a low-scoring draw could be in the offing on Saturday.

Clermont vs. Lorient (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Clermont and Lorient are separated by two spots in the Ligue 1 table heading into Saturday's meeting at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied.

A defeat by the home side could see their 10th-placed visitors leapfrog them in the standings this weekend.

We say: Clermont 2-1 Lorient

Lorient have netted in five straight away games — including a 3-1 victory over table-topping Paris Saint-Germain — although they are expected to fall short against a Clermont side seeking their fifth win on the trot at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied.

Lille vs. Nantes (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Two teams with plenty still to play for at opposite ends of the Ligue 1 table will do battle in the penultimate round of fixtures on Saturday, as Lille welcome Nantes to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

With two league games left to play, the hosts sit fifth with a two-point gap to fourth-placed Monaco, while their visitors are one point adrift of safety in 17th spot.

We say: Lille 2-0 Nantes

With both sides in need of a result at the back end of the campaign, we certainly anticipate a competitive encounter but expect Fonseca's side to have too much quality for their struggling visitors and take all three points on home turf as a result.

Montpellier vs. Nice (Saturday, 8.00pm)

With two rounds of league fixtures left to play, two sides separated by five points in the middle of the Ligue 1 table will square off on Saturday as Montpellier HSC entertain Nice.

A victory last time out saw the hosts strengthen their position in 12th spot, while their visitors are aiming to climb back into the top eight with Clermont Foot just one point better off at this late stage.

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-1 Nice

The two teams both have the ability to hurt one another, and while it is the visitors who currently hold pole position in the fight for top-half places, we fancy a confident Montpellier side boosted by the return of Elye Wahi to come out on top on home turf.

Lyon vs. Reims (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Aiming to keep their hopes of a top-five finish in the Ligue 1 table alive with two league games left to play, Lyon will play host to Reims on Saturday.

Les Gones currently sit seventh with sixth-placed Rennes and fifth-placed Lille three and four points better off respectively, meaning Lyon can only focus on winning their remaining two matches and hoping the sides above them fail to do so.

We say: Lyon 2-1 Reims

On the back of a confidence-boosting win, and knowing they need all three points to keep their European hopes alive, Lyon should have enough to see off a resilient Reims side on home turf at the weekend.

Marseille vs. Brest (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Seeking a fourth successive home win to keep their hopes of automatic Champions League qualification alive, Marseille welcome Brest to the Orange Velodrome for Saturday's Ligue 1 showdown.

Igor Tudor's side went down 2-1 to Lille last weekend, while their visitors assured themselves of a place in the top tier courtesy of a triumph over Clermont by the same scoreline.

We say: Marseille 2-1 Brest

Even with nothing but pride left to play for between now and the end of the season, a defensively-sound Brest side can frustrate a withering Marseille team, especially one that just cannot keep the back door shut in front of their own fans.

However, Tudor's goal-happy charges are adept at finding ways to prevail at the Stade Velodrome and should do so again here by the narrowest of margins, although whether that will be enough to take the race for second place down to the final day remains to be seen.

Lens vs. Ajaccio (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Lens can seal a top-two finish in the 2022-23 Ligue 1 season when they host already-relegated Ajaccio at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday evening.

Franck Haise's men are on the cusp of automatic Champions League qualification courtesy of a 3-1 win over Lorient last weekend, while their doomed visitors were thumped 5-0 by Rennes last time out.

We say: Lens 4-0 Ajaccio

With suspensions and injuries decimating their squad, Ajaccio need nothing short of a miracle to leave the Stade Bollaert-Delelis with anything to show for their efforts, and Haise's side will not be in any sort of merciful mood.

While we have faith in Pantaloni's men to avoid a third successive 5-0 defeat, a Lens side who often score for fun on their own turf should confirm a second-placed finish in style, with a few goals along the way.

Strasbourg vs. PSG (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Requiring just a point on Saturday night to seal Ligue 1 title number 11, Paris Saint-Germain head to the Stade de la Meinau for a date with Strasbourg in the penultimate gameweek of the 2022-23 season.

Their hosts are in a similar predicament, albeit at the other end of the table, as a draw would ensure that Les Coureurs will remain in the big time for the 2023-24 campaign.

We say: Strasbourg 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain

A spate of fresh injuries will certainly threaten to derail PSG's title train this weekend, but Strasbourg are hardly in tip-top shape at the back either and must work around the absence of their captain against the most potent attack that France has to offer.

With the hosts failing to win any of their 17 games in which they have conceded first this season, another early goal or two for PSG could seal the title, and there may be jubilation for both sets of supporters if results go Strasbourg's way in the relegation dogfight.

> How PSG could line up against Strasbourg

Rennes vs. Monaco (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Rennes could supplant Monaco in the Ligue 1 table on Saturday when they welcome the Red and Whites to Roazhon Park.

Both clubs are involved in a three-way battle for fourth place that guarantees a spot in next year's Europa League.

We say: Rennes 3-1 Monaco

Only Lens (49) have secured more home points in Ligue 1 this season than Rennes (42), and Genesio's team should pick up a fourth consecutive victory at Roazhon Park against Monaco.

Toulouse vs. Auxerre (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Out to avoid a fourth consecutive 0-0 draw in their final Ligue 1 home game of the season, Toulouse renew hostilities with Auxerre at the Stadium de Toulouse on Saturday evening.

Philippe Montanier's men were thwarted in a goalless stalemate with Nice last weekend, while their visitors - despite their best efforts - were put to the sword 2-1 by Paris Saint-Germain.

We say: Toulouse 2-0 Auxerre

In spite of their recent attacking failures, Toulouse's build-up play will be boosted greatly by the expected return of Van den Boomen, and Auxerre are not exactly the masters of keeping things tight at the back against the Coupe de France holders.

Pelissier's side have rarely been blown away in 2023, though, and victory could secure survival for the visitors if results elsewhere go in their favour, but we cannot see any surprises being sprung against a sturdy Toulouse backline as the fight for survival goes right down to the wire.