Sunday's Ligue 1 predictions including Lyon vs. Marseille

Reims vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, 12.00pm)

Strasbourg continue their fight against the drop when they travel to Reims on Sunday in Ligue 1.

The hosts have caught the eye under Will Still this season, but are faltering as the race for Europe intensifies.

We say: Reims 1-1 Strasbourg

Reims cannot afford to sit back and attempt to remain solid given their current predicament, as Europe will slip away if they do not get back to winning ways.

Strasbourg have a dreadful record here but a win last week will give them great encouragement in the fight for Ligue 1 survival.

Ajaccio vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm)

A huge game near the bottom of Ligue 1 pits Ajaccio against Brest at the Stade Francois Coty on Sunday.

While the visitors remain hopeful of avoiding the drop, the task becomes much more difficult week-by-week for Ajaccio.

We say: Ajaccio 0-2 Brest

Ajaccio very rarely win or score anywhere at the moment, especially at home, and another defeat to a relegation rival will surely seal their fate.

In good form, Brest will see this as a great opportunity to pick up another three points against a side hopelessly out of form.

Lorient vs. Toulouse (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Coupe de France finalists Toulouse travel to Lorient on Sunday for their final Ligue 1 encounter before the showpiece occasion next weekend.

Lorient's season meanwhile, has faded into mediocrity after a very promising start.

We say: Lorient 1-1 Toulouse

In a mid-table encounter, there may not be much between the two sides, with the added sub-plot of Toulouse's cup final to come next week possibly on their minds.

Only one of the last 16 meetings between these sides have seen more than two goals, and this encounter looks set to follow a similar pattern.

Nantes vs. Troyes (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Nantes welcome relegation-threatened Troyes to the Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday in their final league fixture before the Coupe de France final.

The hosts are still embroiled in a relegation fight of their own and cannot afford to let next week's occasion become a distraction.

We say: Nantes 1-0 Troyes

Nantes are in awful league form and have a huge distraction on their minds with the cup final to come, but are arguably facing the perfect opponents right now.

Troyes have drawn a blank in six of their last seven Ligue 1 fixtures against Nantes, and with senior players seemingly giving up the ghost, ESTAC's fate seems settled.

Nice vs. Clermont (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Fresh from their Europa Conference League elimination in midweek, Nice welcome Clermont to the Allianz Riviera for a Ligue 1 clash on Sunday.

Les Aiglons currently sit ninth in the top-flight standings and are at risk of failing to qualify for Europe next season, while Les Lanciers are two points and two places further back in 11th spot.

We say: Nice 1-1 Clermont

The two teams head into Sunday's fixture in contrasting form, with Clermont in high spirits and motivated by the prospect of moving above Nice into the top half of the table with a fourth successive victory.

However, Digard will expect a response from his side on home soil and we can see Nice earning a hard-fought point in a tight affair at the Allianz Riviera.

Montpellier vs. Rennes (Sunday, 4.05pm)

Fresh from putting high-flying Reims to the sword in impressive fashion, Rennes return to the road to tackle Montpellier HSC at the Stade de la Mosson in Sunday's Ligue 1 showdown.

Bruno Genesio's side scored three without reply against Reims last time out, while Lille came from a goal behind to defeat their upcoming hosts 2-1.

We say: Montpellier HSC 0-2 Rennes

Despite struggling to maintain their initial hot streak under Der Zakarian, Montpellier have consistently posed a threat in the final third - not that it may count for much against a reinvigorated Rennes crop, though.

Genesio's side limited Reims to a mere five shots last weekend and found the formula for defensive success on the road before being downed by Lyon, so we can envisage Genesio's side remaining on the coat-tails of the top five with a straightforward success.

Lyon vs. Marseille (Sunday, 7.45pm)

The Groupama Stadium plays host to the 122nd Choc des Olympiques on Sunday evening, as Lyon lock horns with Marseille in the weekend's headline encounter.

Les Gones ran out 2-1 winners over Toulouse in their most recent fixture, while Igor Tudor's side also came up trumps in gameweek 31 - overcoming Troyes 3-1.

We say: Lyon 1-2 Marseille

Sparks always tend to fly when the Choc des Olympiques takes place - whether they be from the stands or on the pitch - and given Lyon's recent upturn in results coupled with Marseille's string of failures at the Groupama Stadium, this is an extremely difficult derby to call.

Marseille have proven adept at keeping the back door shut on the road all season long, though, and while Lyon should feel confident of breaching the Olympiens' backline, a Gones side who often underperform at home might come up just short against the away-day specialists.