Sunday's Ligue 1 predictions including Lyon vs. Strasbourg

Montpellier vs. St Etienne (Sunday, 12.00pm)

Following the international break, Ligue 1 action returns on Sunday as Montpellier HSC will host Saint-Etienne at the Stade de la Mosson as each side looks to climb the table.

Both teams coming into the game on the back of defeats, with the visitors having failed to pick up a victory so far this season.

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-1 Saint-Etienne

Defensively, both teams have struggled so far this season, so goals are likely to be guaranteed within this fixture, in what should prove to be quite an open game.

However, with Laborde in fine form at the moment, he might be able to fire his team into a victory here, leaving Saint-Etienne still searching for their first win.

Bordeaux vs. Lens (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Bordeaux will try to end their difficult start to the season on Sunday when they play Lens as they continue to search for a first victory of the campaign.

The visitors find themselves in sixth place right now and have made an unbeaten start so far, having not lost in their previous seven games.

We say: Bordeaux 0-1 Lens

Bordeaux have made a miserable start to the season and they are desperate for points, but competing against Lens is not going to be a simple task.

The visitors have plenty of confidence right now and have proven they are willing to fight for every single point that is available to them.

Brest vs. Angers (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Seeking to keep the pressure on Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1 high-flyers Angers prepare to travel to the Stade Francis-Le Ble to take on a winless Brest on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts fell to a 3-1 defeat to Strasbourg last time out, whereas Les Scoistes' stellar run continued with a 2-0 win over Europa Conference League challengers Rennes.

We say: Brest 1-2 Angers

Finding the back of the net has never been a problem for Brest, but Der Zakarian is running out of time to inspire a turnaround in attacking fortunes before talk of the sack may come into play.

On the other hand, Baticle's Angers have successfully pitted their wits against Lyon and Rennes and ought to see no reason why their hot streak should end here, so we are backing yet another three points for Les Scoistes.

Rennes vs. Reims (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Rennes will seek to recover from a disappointing defeat to Angers when they welcome Reims to the Roazhon Park in Ligue 1 on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the visitors are also aiming to bounce back from their own 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, where Lionel Messi made his first appearance in navy blue.

We say: Rennes 2-0 Reims

Rennes are likely to have one eye on their impending European battle with Tottenham, but Genesio will certainly stress the importance of an immediate response following their dampening loss to Angers.

Meanwhile, Reims are expected to be without a recognised striker for this encounter and just cannot seem to get over the line in Ligue 1, so we can only back the hosts to return to winning ways in convincing fashion.

Metz vs. Troyes (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Both Metz and Troyes will be searching for their first victory of the season on Sunday when they compete at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, as Ligue 1 football returns.

The visitors currently sit at the foot of the table following promotion, but a win could see them climb out of the relegation zone and overtake their opponents.

We say: Metz 2-0 Troyes

Troyes might be looking at this game as one that could be perfect to get their first victory this season, but it is certainly going to be another tough test.

While Metz are also seeking out their first win, they have proven to be consistent in their performances, and they should have enough to get three points on Sunday.

Nantes vs. Nice (Sunday, 4.00pm)

Nice will seek to keep their revival under Christophe Galtier going when they travel to the Stade de la Beaujoire to take on Nantes on Sunday afternoon.

Les Canaris went down 1-0 to Lyon just before the international break, while Nice put four unanswered goals past Bordeaux to continue their impressive start to the season.

We say: Nantes 0-2 Nice

While Nice's disciplinary matters may have dominated the talk of the past week, Galtier's side are doing their talking on the pitch and remain in terrific shape heading into Sunday's battle.

Kombouare's Nantes were arguably unfortunate not to take something from their clash with Lyon, and we expect a similar story here as Les Aiglons cruise to another win and clean sheet.

Lyon vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, 7.45pm)

Having claimed their first Ligue 1 win of the season at the fourth attempt, Lyon will seek to keep the momentum going against Julien Stephan's Strasbourg at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday evening.

Les Gones scraped past Nantes 1-0 in gameweek four before the international break, while Strasbourg marched to a convincing 3-1 success over Brest.

We say: Lyon 2-1 Strasbourg

Both Lyon and Strasbourg may have got off the mark for the new season in gameweek four, but the hosts are not without their issues, while Strasbourg's shocking record in this fixture speaks for itself.

Bosz's side are yet to kick into gear and the European fatigue will soon start to set in, but we still have confidence in Lyon's ability to make it back-to-back wins by a narrow margin.