Sunday's Ligue 1 predictions including Monaco vs. Rennes

Brest vs. Metz (Sunday, 12.00pm)

Ligue 1's surprise package Brest continue their charge towards Champions League qualification when they host Metz on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts enter the weekend in second, while visitors Metz are currently second-from-bottom and in grave danger of an instant return back to Ligue 2.

We say: Brest 1-0 Metz

Metz have won on their previous two visits here, scoring six goals in the process, but with Brest's defence currently the toughest to breach in all of France, a repeat scenario looks unlikely.

Going eight games unbeaten at home has seen Brest take 18 points, and against a lowly Metz, an additional three are to be expected, with another clean sheet to boot.

Toulouse vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Toulouse could lose their position in the Ligue 1 standings to Strasbourg in Sunday's round 28 fixture at Stadium de Toulouse.

The hosts returned to winning ways after two defeats on the trot last time out, while Patrick Vieira hopes to win for the third game running, keen to keep climbing the table after a pitiful start to 2024.

We say: Toulouse 2-2 Strasbourg

Strasbourg seldom lose in Toulouse, with a 2-0 defeat in January 2005 La Racing's only reverse in previous visits to this weekend's opponent, and they should avoid defeat to Novell's men in another high-scoring game to match last season's corresponding fixture.

Reims vs. Nice (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Nice will be bidding to return to winning ways in Ligue 1 when they head to Stade Auguste-Delaune on Sunday afternoon to tackle Reims.

The visitors are currently fifth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Lille, while Reims occupy ninth, level on points with eighth-placed Rennes on the same number of matches (27).

We say: Reims 1-1 Nice

Six of the last eight meetings between these two sides in France's top flight have finished level, and we can see the points being shared once again here. It finished 0-0 in the corresponding game last term, but we are expecting both to find the back of the net in this contest.

Montpellier vs. Lorient (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Lorient will be bidding to give their Ligue 1 survival hopes a boost when they head to Stade de la Mosson on Saturday afternoon for a contest with Montpellier HSC.

The visitors are currently 16th in the table, one point behind 15th-placed Le Havre, while Montpellier occupy 13th, just three points above their opponents in this intriguing contest.

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-1 Lorient

Montpellier have enjoyed their recent meetings with Lorient, triumphing in four of their last five league matches, and we can see another success for the home side here. Lorient have enough quality to score, but we are finding it difficult to back them to pick up a positive result on Sunday.

Monaco vs. Rennes (Sunday, 4.05pm)

Monaco can end a lengthy home winless run on Sunday when they host Rennes at Stade Louis II in a match with big European implications for both sides.

Following their 5-2 victory over Metz last week, Les Monegasques are third in Ligue 1, holding down the final place in the Champions League group stage, while Stade Rennais trail Nice by four points for a spot in the Europa League after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Strasbourg.

We say: Monaco 2-1 Rennes

This might be the match for Monaco to end their lengthy winless run at home, as Rennes are not a strong away side and have plenty of defensive issues like Les Monegasques, and we believe the overall quality of the home side will prevail.

Nantes vs. Lyon (Sunday, 7.45pm)

Nantes can put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone when they welcome Lyon to Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday.

A 2-1 victory over Nice last weekend put la Maison Jaune up to 14th in Ligue 1, five points above Metz, who are in the final relegation spot, while Lyon are 10th following a 1-1 draw with Reims.

We say: Nantes 0-1 Lyon

One game is not enough to convince us that Nantes have fixed their defensive deficiencies, and they will be in tough against a Lyon side in fine form, who are brimming with confidence away from home.