Saturday's Ligue 1 predictions including Rennes vs. Monaco

St Etienne vs. Auxerre (Saturday, 4.00pm)

Ligue 1 strugglers Saint-Etienne and Auxerre lock horns at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Saturday evening.

As two of the sides who came up from Ligue 2 last season, neither have made wholly convincing starts, and this has all the hallmarks of an early-season relegation six-pointer.

We say: Saint-Etienne 0-0 Auxerre

Draws have been commonplace in meetings between these two sides, and as two of Ligue 1's weaker outfits, an underwhelming clash could be on the cards.

Auxerre did thrash Brest 3-0 last weekend, but have not been able to replicate any sort of form on the road, while the hosts are struggling to adjust to life back at the top, and look set to remain in the relegation places.

Lille vs. Toulouse (Saturday, 6.00pm)

Lille will enter Saturday's Ligue 1 encounter at home to Toulouse on the back of arguably the greatest result in their history in midweek.

Les Dogues stunned European football by beating Champions League holders and 15-time winners Real Madrid here at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday.

We say: Lille 2-0 Toulouse

Despite some shaky recent home form, Lille have lost just three of their last 36 home Ligue 1 games and have scored in 16 consecutive matches at the Pierre-Mauroy against their upcoming opponents, so will be the big favourites, especially after their midweek antics.

Toulouse have been way below par so far this season, and manager Martinez may start feeling the heat soon if results continue in this fashion, despite being awarded a new contract last month.

Rennes vs. Monaco (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Monaco will look to keep tabs with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1 when they travel to Rennes on Saturday night.

Adi Hutter's men come into the game off the back of a late fightback in Croatia on Wednesday, which maintained their unbeaten start.

We say: Rennes 1-2 Monaco

Monaco have won six of their last nine Ligue 1 encounters against Rennes, and will be slight favourites here despite the electric atmosphere expected under the lights.

Rennes are certainly much better at home, but Monaco have proven formidable opponents in Ligue 1 so far and should maintain their place in the top two this weekend.