Wednesday's Ligue 1 predictions including Paris Saint-Germain vs. Angers

Ajaccio vs. Reims (Wednesday, 6.00pm)

Reims make the trip to face Ajaccio at Estadio Francois-Coty on Wednesday evening looking for the win which will strengthen their position in the top half of the Ligue 1 standings.

At a time when the visitors are attempting to remain in the European hunt, Ajaccio sit just two points above the relegation zone.

We say: Ajaccio 1-1 Reims

Despite defeat last time out, we cannot ignore that Ajaccio had been on a three-match unbeaten streak. With that in mind, the home side may do enough to earn a share of the spoils against opponents who are proving to be increasingly difficult to overcome this campaign.

Auxerre vs. Toulouse (Wednesday, 6.00pm)

Ligue 1 continues as Auxerre host Toulouse at Stade de L'Abbe Deschamps on Wednesday evening, with both sides having endured differing starts to 2023.

Auxerre fell to a disappointing defeat in their first league game of this calendar year, whereas Toulouse have recorded convincing wins in both Ligue 1 and Coupe de France so far this month.

We say: Auxerre 1-1 Toulouse

Auxerre are on the hunt for their first league success since October but have a tough assignment against a Toulouse side who are fresh off a 7-1 victory in Coupe de France.

Montanier will have difficult decisions to make regarding team selection after some of his fringe players impressed on Sunday, but he should be able to manage his side to at least a point in this one.

Clermont vs. Rennes (Wednesday, 6.00pm)

Clermont welcome UEFA Champions League candidates Rennes to the Gabriel Montpied Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Pascal Gastien's side sit 11 points adrift of the final European qualification position, while Rennes are in the mix to mingle with the best European football has to offer next season.

We say: Clermont 1-2 Rennes

In the wake of suffering more defeats than victories at the Gabriel Montpied Stadium in Ligue 1 this season, we predict Rennes to condemn Clermont Foot to another loss in front of their supporters on Wednesday.

Nantes vs. Lyon (Wednesday, 6.00pm)

Lyon square off against Nantes on Wednesday evening looking for a victory which will keep the club in close proximity to the top seven in the Ligue 1 standings.

Meanwhile, Nantes head into this fixture at the Beaujoire Stadium keen to extend a three-match unbeaten streak which has created some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

We say: Nantes 1-2 Lyon

Despite the difference in league positions, this feels like an evenly-matched encounter given Lyon's continued inconsistency. Nevertheless, we still feel that the visitors will do enough to come through this contest by the odd goal in three.

Brest vs. Lille (Wednesday, 6.00pm)

Mid-season strugglers Brest welcome Lille to the Stade Francis-Le Ble in Ligue 1 on Wednesday.

New Brest boss Eric Roy is searching for a positive result in his first league game in charge.

We say: Brest 1-2 Lille

Under new management, Brest will hope they can turn a corner following a tough start, but a third consecutive European-chasing opponent will present a huge challenge.

This has not been a happy hunting ground recently though for Lille, and there will be pressure on the side to win given their underwhelming league position.

Lorient vs. Monaco (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

After ending a five-match winless run in Ligue 1 to begin 2023, Lorient will welcome Monaco to Stade du Moustoir on Wednesday with a chance to overtake them for a Europa Conference League qualifying spot next season.

Over the weekend, Les Merlus had no trouble advancing beyond the round of 64 at the Couple de France, smashing La Chataigneraie 6-0, while Monaco were upset on penalties by Rodez in a match which ended 2-2 after normal time.

We say: Lorient 0-2 Monaco

Lorient are in better form, but they have not faced a formidable opponent this year, with their two wins coming against an Angers side who are bottom of the Ligue 1 table and a sixth-tier team at the Coupe de France.

Their backline will have to contend with a Monaco side filled with plenty of attacking options and likely to be in a foul mood and eager to close the gap between themselves and a Champions League place.

Nice vs. Montpellier (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Nice take on Montpellier HSC at the Allianz Riviera on Wednesday night, in a Ligue 1 encounter between two sides currently sitting in midtable.

Les Aiglons are in 11th place, four points clear of the visitors, who have acquired 17 points in their first 17 games.

We say: Nice 0-1 Montpellier HSC

Nice have been out of sorts recently, and they have a very poor record at home, picking up just nine points in their opening eight matches at the Allianz Riviera.

Montpellier have also struggled, but they managed to win their last away match in Ligue 1, and so we think that they could make it two on the spin on Wednesday, in a closely-contested game.

PSG vs. Angers (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Paris Saint-Germain will endeavour to return to type in Ligue 1 when they face off against basement side Angers at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening.

The champions progressed in the Coupe de France courtesy of a 3-1 success over Chateauroux at the weekend, while Les Scoistes put their name in the hat for the next round after seeing off Strasbourg on penalties.

We say: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Angers

Having been handed a golden ticket to return to their dominant ways in Ligue 1, PSG ought to sweep aside their goal-shy visitors with very little difficulty on their own turf.

Failing to score in three successive away games only makes Les Scoistes' task monumentally harder, and we expect Galtier's side to return to winning ways in emphatic style.

> How PSG could line up against Angers

Strasbourg vs. Lens (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Following an eye-catching victory over Paris Saint-Germain on New Year's Day, Lens will look to further narrow the gap to top spot in the Ligue 1 table on Wednesday, when they make the trip to take on Strasbourg.

A 3-1 beating of the league leaders saw Franck Haise's side move within four points of the summit and they come into Wednesday's contest on the back of a Coupe de France victory, while their hosts lost in a penalty shootout in their tie on Friday.

We say: Strasbourg 0-2 Lens

The two sides are in totally contrasting runs of form, and we can only envisage another victory for the second-placed side who are at the top of their game against a Strasbourg team who have managed just one league win all season.

Troyes vs. Marseille (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Troyes could move into the top half of the table in Ligue 1 if they can beat Marseille at Stade de l'Aube on Wednesday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are aiming to remain in third place by gaining a positive result.

We say: Troyes 1-2 Marseille

With Marseille missing some key defenders for this match, we can certainly envisage Troyes getting themselves on the scoresheet at some point during the encounter.

However, Marseille have looked in excellent offensive form since returning from the break, and they should narrowly secure a fifth straight league victory.