Sunday's Ligue 1 predictions including Nice vs. Lyon

Rennes vs. Le Havre (Sunday, 12.00pm)

Le Havre's Ligue 1 baptism of fire continues with a trip to European hopefuls Rennes on Sunday in gameweek three of the 2023-24 campaign.

Bruno Genesio's men were held to a 1-1 draw by Lens last time out, while their newly-promoted visitors fell to a 2-1 loss at home to early high-flyers Brest.

We say: Rennes 4-0 Le Havre

Despite Doku's indisputable importance to the Rennes attack over the past couple of seasons, Genesio's men have already taught a footballing lesson to one promoted side at Roazhon Park this term and ought to begin life without the Belgian in scintillating fashion.

Le Havres's five-man defence has been breached at will in their opening two fixtures, and things could get ugly fast for Elsner's side if the likes of Bourigeaud and Ludovic Blas are allowed to get into full flow.

Strasbourg vs. Toulouse (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Fresh from snatching a late draw against Paris Saint-Germain, Toulouse travel to the Stade de la Meinau to face Patrick Vieira's Strasbourg on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts suffered a 3-0 defeat to Monaco last time out, while the visitors remain unbeaten this season after taking four points from a possible six in Ligue 1.

We say: Strasbourg 1-2 Toulouse

Buoyed by last weekend's draw with PSG, Toulouse will be confident of extending their unbeaten start to the season against Strasbourg, who were humiliate by Monaco last time out.

Clermont vs. Metz (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Clermont and Metz will both be looking to earn their first maximums of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 campaign when they meet at Stade Gabriel Montpied on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts are sitting bottom of the early-season standings having lost their last two matches, while Metz are hovering above the relegation zone heading into this clash.

We say: Clermont 1-1 Metz

Clermont are struggling defensively at the beginning of this campaign, and the visit of last season's top scorers in Ligue 2 on Sunday may not come at the best time for the hosts.

Even while playing with 10 men for the majority of the second half, Metz were competitive against Marseille and should be good enough for a point this weekend.

Montpellier vs. Reims (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Montpellier HSC will aim to extend their unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season when Reims visit the Stade de la Mosson on Sunday afternoon.

Thanks to last weekend's 4-1 thrashing of Lyon, La Paillade sit on four points after two matches, while Reims have three points following a 2-0 victory over Clermont last time out.

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-2 Reims

Montpellier will be brimming with belief after crushing Lyon 4-1 last weekend, but Reims possess more than enough quality to avoid defeat at the Stade de la Mosson.

Lorient vs. Lille (Sunday, 4.05pm)

Lorient and Lille will bid to preserve their respective unbeaten records in 2023-24 when they do battle at the Stade du Moustoir on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts head into the third round of Ligue 1 fixtures on the back of successive draws, while the visitors defeated Rijeka in the Europa Conference League playoffs in midweek.

We say: Lorient 1-1 Lille

Although Lille remain unbeaten in 2023-24, Fonseca's side have not been overly convincing during the early stages of the season, relying on late goals to get results.

Given that Lorient have recorded a couple of low-scoring draws this term - preventing PSG and Nice from winning - we can see the hosts picking up another point this weekend.

Nice vs. Lyon (Sunday, 7.45pm)

Nice and Lyon both remain winless in 2023-24 as they prepare to lock horns at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday evening.

While to hosts registered another 1-1 draw last time out, the visitors suffered a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Montpellier HSC.

We say: Nice 2-1 Lyon

Given that Lyon have already suffered two disappointing defeats this term - conceding six goals along the way - we expect the visitors to record a third successive loss at the expense of Nice.