Saturday's Ligue 1 predictions including Rennes vs. Marseille

Bordeaux vs. Lorient (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Bordeaux's fate has all but been confirmed as they currently sit bottom of Ligue 1 and seven points away from certain safety with just two games to play, while Saturday's visitors to the Stade Matmut-Altantique are looking to avoid dropping into the relegation playoff position.

Lorient sit 17th and three points clear of Saint-Etienne heading into the penultimate round of fixtures, meaning that a positive result this weekend could confirm Lorient's top-flight status for next year.

We say: Bordeaux 0-1 Lorient

Both teams are in poor form entering this clash, but with more incentive for Lorient as Bordeaux are already relegated, that is likely to give the visitors the edge in this match.

Despite both sides having leaky defensive records, this could be a low-scoring affair as neither team have found the back of the net on many occasions recently either.

Lyon vs. Nantes (Saturday, 8.00pm)

With a top-six finish now out of the question for both clubs, Lyon and Nantes meet in the penultimate weekend of the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season at the Groupama Stadium on Saturday night.

Les Gones suffered a humbling 3-2 defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Metz in their most recent game, while the visitors got the better of Rennes 2-1 in midweek.

We say: Lyon 2-2 Nantes

Goals are always on the menu when these two sides take to the field in Ligue 1, with Lyon always suspect defensively but boasting plenty of attacking talent ready to make up for the rearguard's mistakes.

While Nantes' busy week and undesirable away form will significantly impact their chances of victory, Kombouare's motivated side should have no problem adding a couple of strikes to their goals column and coming away with a hard-earned point.

Metz vs. Angers (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Struggling Metz will be looking to keep their slim survival hopes alive when they take on already-safe Angers in a key Ligue 1 contest on Saturday night.

The home side are currently 19th in the table, three points behind 18th-placed Saint-Etienne with two games left, while Angers are now up in 14th courtesy of their impressive win over Bordeaux last time out.

We say: Metz 1-1 Angers

Metz are in desperate need of the points, as they bid to escape the relegation zone, but we are struggling to back the home side with any real confidence; Angers should be good enough for a point here, which might well relegate Metz depending on other results.

Monaco vs. Brest (Saturday, 8.00pm)

With a win confirming their spot in Europe for the 2022-23 season, Monaco's final Ligue 1 home game of the campaign sees them welcome Brest to the Stade Louis II on Saturday.

Les Monegasques sunk dethroned champions Lille 2-1 on matchday 36, whereas Les Pirates went down 1-0 at home to top-five hopefuls Strasbourg.

We say: Monaco 2-0 Brest

Brest certainly have Monaco's number when it comes to fixtures on their own patch, but getting a result against Les Monegasques - who will out for vengeance - away from home is not their speciality.

Clement's side cannot expect to break their opponents down at will, but the merciless hosts should still get the job done with professionalism to remain in the driving seat for Champions League football ahead of the final day.

Montpellier vs. PSG (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain continue their stroll to the finish line with a trip to Montpellier HSC on Saturday in the penultimate gameweek of the season.

The visitors were pegged back to draw 2-2 with Troyes last time out, while La Paillade went down 2-1 away from home to Clermont.

We say: Montpellier HSC 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain

Letting a two-goal lead slip against a newly-promoted side in Troyes was another bitter blow for PSG, but facing an out-of-sorts Montpellier side is just what is needed to end their inconsistent patch on the road.

While PSG's defence in particular does not travel well, a Montpellier side without Savanier pulling the strings or Wahi finishing the job should not pose too many threats to the champions here.

> How PSG could line up against Montpellier

> PSG injury, suspension list vs. Montpellier

Nice vs. Lille (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Nice will welcome Lille to Allianz Riviera on Saturday evening knowing that a victory could keep them in contention for second position in the Ligue 1 table.

The home side are currently fourth, two points behind third-placed Monaco and five from second-placed Marseille, while Lille sit down in 10th and have little to play for in their final two matches.

We say: Nice 2-1 Lille

This has all of the makings of a very interesting game of football, and Lille are more than capable of winning on Saturday despite their struggles this season. Nice are on a strong run in the league, though, and we are expecting the home team to put another huge three points on the board.

Rennes vs. Marseille (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Two teams with plenty to fight for in the final stages of the 2021-22 Ligue 1 campaign will lock horns on Saturday night, as Rennes welcome Marseille to Roazhon Park.

Rennes are currently fifth in the table, one point behind fourth-placed Nice, while Marseille sit second, three clear of third-placed Monaco with two games of the season left.

We say: Rennes 1-1 Marseille

Rennes have the second-best home record in Ligue 1 this season, while Marseille have the strongest away record, so this is a really difficult match to call. It would not be a surprise to see a home or indeed an away victory, but we have a feeling that this game will end all square.

St Etienne vs. Reims (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Saint-Etienne will be bidding to boost their Ligue 1 survival hopes when they welcome Reims to Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Saturday night.

The home side are currently 18th in the table, three points behind 17th-placed Lorient, while Reims occupy 12th position and have little to play for other than pride in their final two matches.

We say: Saint-Etienne 2-1 Reims

Saint-Etienne are in desperate need of the three points to boost their survival hopes, and we believe that the home side will triumph here. Reims do not have an awful lot to play for in their final two games, but the same cannot be said for Saint-Etienne, who are currently in the relegation playoff spot.

Strasbourg vs. Clermont (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Strasbourg will look to climb back into the top five of the Ligue 1 table on Saturday, when they host Clermont.

The home side recently dropped out of the final European place and have just two games left to bridge a two-point gap, while the visitors now sit five points clear of the relegation zone thanks to a crucial win last time out.

We say: Strasbourg 2-1 Clermont

With their survival all but confirmed, Clermont may not be fighting for their lives in the same way they were against Montpellier, and, as a result, they may be just outclassed on Saturday.

Knowing they almost certainly need two wins to stand a chance of a top-five finish, Strasbourg should have what it takes to get over the line.

Troyes vs. Lens (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Looking to keep any hopes of continental qualification alive this season, Lens will travel to Troyes on Saturday with a desperate need for a victory.

With just two games left to play, the visitors sit seventh in the Ligue 1 table, four points behind fifth-placed Rennes, while their hosts need one point to confirm their survival.

We say: Troyes 1-2 Lens

With the hosts now feeling comfortable and the visitors fighting to keep their European hopes alive, we lean towards an away win at the weekend.

Lens find themselves in an impressive run of form, and we see them continuing that with a victory being much-needed.