Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Saturday's Ligue 1 predictions including Lens vs. Marseille

sportsmole.co.uk, 23 November 2024, 06:15
Lens vs. Marseille (Saturday, 4.00pm)

Saturday evening will see Lens welcome Marseille to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in one of the standout games in Ligue 1 this weekend.

The two clubs have met 100 times in Ligue 1 previously, with Lens just one behind Marseille in terms of wins in the fixture - 39 to 40.

We say: Lens 1-2 Marseille

Lens have not looked the most convincing in recent weeks, falling to consecutive defeats and only getting over the line very late against Nantes.

The home side's defence has looked less secure recently with many absentees, and a potent Marseille attack that has loved playing away from home this season could take advantage.

St Etienne vs. Montpellier (Saturday, 6.00pm)

Ligue 1 conjures up an early-season relegation six-pointer on Saturday, when Saint-Etienne welcome Montpellier HSC to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

Both clubs enter the weekend in the relegation zone, and unsurprisingly have the worst two defensive records in the division, while only Le Havre have netted fewer goals.

We say: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Montpellier HSC

Montpellier took 14 points from their final six away games last season, and after getting their first win under Gasset before the break, this could be the perfect chance to open their account on the road.

Saint-Etienne's record at home is evidently their strong point, but form in general has been hugely underwhelming, and while they are favourites here, it is unlikely to be plain sailing.

Reims vs. Lyon (Saturday, 8.00pm)

After one of the darkest days in the club's history last week, Lyon will seek to keep their attention on footballing matters when they travel to face Reims in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Lyon were handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 and a transfer ban for the upcoming January window following a huge amount of unpaid debts that have stacked up.

We say: Reims 1-1 Lyon

With the chance to equal their best-ever home unbeaten run against Lyon, set initially back in 1974, Reims will look to pick up where they left off before the break, following that fine win over Le Havre.

In what has been a disastrous week for the Lyon faithful, they can take solace from the fact their side has been one of the most in-form teams in France of late, and they should be able to extend their domestic unbeaten run here.

Top News

2 January 2025 talksport.com Tottenham will be looking to end their dismal form in the Premier League when they host Newcastle this weekend, live on talkSPORT. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Having pulled clear of the Serie A drop zone by winning last weekend, Hellas Verona hope to start 2025 in similar style as they host Udinese on Saturday. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham are reportedly concerned about the future of midfielder Andreas Pereira this month. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly determined to bring at least one new goalkeeper to Old Trafford this year amid Andre Onana's ongoing struggles at Old Trafford. 2 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal are looking to kick off their transfer business in January with a possible raid on Brighton, talkSPORT understands. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to extend their unbeaten run in the second tier to four matches, Norwich City will host Coventry City at Carrow Road in the Championship on Saturday afternoon. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is sweating over the fitness of three fitness doubts ahead of Saturday's Premier League battle with West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Having ended 2024 as they mean to begin 2025, Manchester City endeavour to continue their Premier League revival in Saturday afternoon's home encounter with West Ham United at the Etihad. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly urging decision-makers at the club to launch a move for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres during the January transfer window. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After both ended 2024 in defeat, Venezia and Empoli will be seeking a bright start to the new year on Saturday, when they clash at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City could be set to welcome defender Wout Faes back to the matchday squad for the Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa are prepared to be without the services of Morgan Rogers for the visit of Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly interested in bringing Marcus Rashford to the Emirates Stadium but would not be willing to pay more than £25m for the Manchester United forward. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to extend their unbeaten home league run to 10 matches, Aston Villa will welcome Midlands counterparts Leicester City to Villa Park for a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two Premier League teams heading in opposite directions renew hostilities on Saturday lunchtime, as Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United do battle in North London. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly finding it difficult to sign Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo to new contracts at the club. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be forced into at least one and potentially two defensive alterations for Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur in North London. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly pushing for the Red Devils to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres during the January transfer window. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou will both lose and welcome a player back from suspension for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Newcastle United in North London. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Potentially on the brink of full-blown crisis mode, an ailing Tottenham Hotspur side commence proceedings for 2025 at home to Newcastle United in Saturday's early Premier League kickoff. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to extend an extraordinary unbeaten run into the new year, Lille will welcome Nantes to Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Saturday. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Hoping to inflict more misery on their floundering foes, Liverpool host long-time nemesis Manchester United at Anfield in Sunday's Premier League main event. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fresh from earning the first Premier League win of 2025, Arsenal venture outside of London for the first time since November on Saturday evening, squaring up to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe have one final chance to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aberdeen vs. Ross County (Thursday, 3.00pm) Aberdeen will hope to see their recent capitulation come to an end when they welcome Ross County to Pittodrie in the Scottish Premiership on Thursday. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The first Saturday fixture of 2025 in Ligue 1 will see Saint-Etienne aim to climb out of a relegation playoff position when they welcome Reims to Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In-form sides Alanyaspor and Konyaspor will both be seeking to make a winning start to 2025 when they go head to head at GAIN Park Stadyumu on Friday in round 18 of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig season. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Liverpool have reportedly found themselves in a three-way transfer battle with Aston Villa for the signature of Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani. 1 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have altered their January plans and become more open to pursuing a wide forward in the winter window after previously preferring to wait until the summer. 1 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United could face fierce competition from Bayern Munich for the signature of Brighton & Hove Albion's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.