Saturday's Ligue 1 predictions including Lens vs. Marseille

Nice vs. Rennes (Saturday, 4.00pm)

A struggling Nice side welcome Rennes to the Allianz Riviera for a Ligue 1 clash on Saturday.

Nice's European dreams have been ended following a disappointing 2023, but Rennes' prospects still hang in the balance.

We say: Nice 1-2 Rennes

Nice's home woes look set to continue as they welcome a side still in the fight for Europe.

Despite not possessing great form on the road, Rennes will hope to take advantage of facing a side without much left to play for.

Reims vs. Lille (Saturday, 6.00pm)

As the race for Europe hots up, Reims and Lille lock horns at the Stade Auguste-Delaune for Saturday evening's Ligue 1 showdown.

Will Still's men suffered a third successive loss last time out, falling 1-0 to Clermont, while Les Dogues ran out convincing 3-0 winners over basement battlers Ajaccio.

We say: Reims 1-2 Lille

Lille's inconsistency away from their headquarters should offer Reims a glimmer of hope for the weekend, but Still's side may only be able to celebrate one consolation goal over the course of the game.

The hosts' fortunes have well and truly taken a nosedive, and while they have little to play for at this point, a Lille crop still fighting for a spot on the continent should grind out all three points.

Lens vs. Marseille (Saturday, 8.00pm)

All eyes will be on the Stade Bollaert-Delelis for Saturday evening's marquee Ligue 1 fixture, as title outsiders Lens and Marseille clash in a tantalising podium contest.

The visitors enter the weekend sat one place and one point better off than Franck Haise's side, and both still harbour ambitions of dethroning a faltering Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the pile.

We say: Lens 2-1 Marseille

While their second-placed standing is nothing to be scoffed at, Marseille needed a huge slice of luck to get over the line against Lyon and were unconvincing for 75 minutes against Auxerre, although their excellence on rival territory must also be taken in account.

However, Lens have been an almost unbreakable force at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, and having recently taught Monaco a footballing lesson on home soil, we can envisage the Openda-inspired Sang et Or coming up trumps and leapfrogging their fellow podium contenders in this potentially season-defining showdown.