Sunday's Ligue 1 predictions including PSG vs. Rennes

Ajaccio vs. Monaco (Sunday, 12.00pm)

Ajaccio will seek a little retribution on Sunday when they battle Monaco at Stade Francois Coty after suffering a humiliating 7-1 defeat in the Principality earlier this year.

L'ours have dropped consecutive Ligue 1 fixtures by a 1-0 score, falling two points below the relegation line, while Les Monegasques have dropped to fourth in the table following a 1-0 defeat at home to Reims.

We say: Ajaccio 0-2 Monaco

The Monaco backline seems to be getting healthier, while Ajaccio have not given their fans much to cheer about in the attack throughout the campaign.

Les Monegasques have been more organised and compact away from home, and we expect them to be on the front foot against the Corsicans, who have not created many scoring opportunities at Stade Francois Coty.

Montpellier vs. Clermont (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Montpellier HSC will aim to continue their impressive revival under Michel Der Zakarian when Clermont visit the Stade de la Mosson on Sunday.

Having won four of their last five games, Montpellier find themselves one point and one place below Clermont, who have managed to win just one of their previous eight outings.

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-0 Clermont

Given that Montpellier have won four of their five league games since Der Zakarian's arrival, the hosts look set to cruise to a comfortable victory over Clermont, who have lost four of their previous six matches.

Nice vs. Lorient (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Nice can stretch their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to 11 matches when they welcome Lorient to Allianz Riviera on Sunday.

After a 2-2 draw at Nantes last weekend, Les Aiglons are just four points behind Rennes for a spot in Europe next season, as are Lorient, who extended their unbeaten run to two games thanks to a 2-0 win over Troyes.

We say: Nice 2-0 Lorient

By now, the Nice players have a solid grasp on how Digard wants them to play, and their defensive prowess along with their consistency from one match to another has us tipping the scales in their favour this weekend.

Strasbourg vs. Auxerre (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Relegation rivals Strasbourg and Auxerre are locked on 23 points ahead of their pivotal Ligue 1 showdown at La Meinau on Sunday afternoon.

Auxerre have avoided defeat in each of their last six league matches to give themselves a chance of avoiding the drop, although the Burgundy outfit remain in the bottom four, with Strasbourg sitting outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

We say: Strasbourg 1-1 Auxerre

Buoyed by last weekend's draw at Marseille, Strasbourg will be hopeful of notching another positive result on Sunday, although the hosts may have to settle for a point as Auxerre extend their unbeaten run to seven games.

Troyes vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Just three points separate 19th-placed Troyes and 16th-placed Brest as the basement dwellers prepare for a crucial relegation six-pointer at the Stade de l'Aube this weekend.

Troyes will be desperate to end a 10-game winless streak on Sunday, while Brest will be eager to avoid a fifth defeat in six outings after falling to Paris Saint-Germain last time out.

We say: Troyes 0-0 Brest

Given the current state of affairs at the bottom end of the Ligue 1 table, we expect Troyes and Brest to produce a cagey encounter on Sunday, with a goalless draw looking like the most probable outcome.

PSG vs. Rennes (Sunday, 4.05pm)

Seeking to maintain or increase their 10-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table, champions Paris Saint-Germain welcome Rennes to the Parc des Princes on Sunday afternoon.

Christophe Galtier's men left it late to sink Brest 2-1 last time out, while the visitors were thwarted in a goalless stalemate with Auxerre.

We say: Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Rennes

Ruthless attacking play has not been on Rennes' agenda very often recently, but a youthful PSG backline decimated by injuries cannot expect to keep Genesio's charges at bay for very long here.

Nevertheless, the champions nearly always find a way to win on home soil, and the deadly Messi-Mbappe combination can expose the visitors' ongoing frailties on the road, so an ugly victory - but a victory nonetheless - should come the way of the hosts.

> How PSG could line up against Rennes

Reims vs. Marseille (Sunday, 7.45pm)

Reims and Marseille will wrap up the weekend's Ligue 1 action when they face off at the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Sunday evening.

Under the guidance of Will Still, the Red and Whites have climbed to eighth in French top flight, while Marseille find themselves second - 13 points clear of Reims.

We say: Reims 1-1 Marseille

Although Marseille have won each of their last seven away league matches, Tudor's men could struggle to extend their winning streak against Reims, who have claimed seven victories in their previous eight home games.

With that in mind, we expect Reims and Marseille to play out a low-scoring draw at the Stade Auguste-Delaune, with the Red and Whites continuing their phenomenal unbeaten run under Will Still.