Ligue 1 weekend predictions, odds & best tips: Lens look set to stay out in front

The French top flight has a surprise leader after 14 matches, with Lens setting the pace at the Ligue 1 summit and hoping to at least retain their one-point lead over Paris Saint-Germain at the conclusion of matchday 15.

The Ligue 1 pacesetters visit Nantes on Saturday afternoon before PSG host Rennes, although the best tie of the weekend comes from Stade Pierre Mauroy on Friday night as fourth-placed Lille host third-placed Marseille, who could return to the top spot with a win.

Ligue 1 predictions & tips for this weekend’s matches

Brest vs Monaco

Kick-off: 6pm Friday

Monaco look the best bet to get an away win. The visitors produced a statement win to get the better of Paris Saint-Germain last time out and should be too strong for a Brest side who have won only four of their 14 league games this term.

Prediction: Monaco

Lille vs Marseille

Kick-off: 7.45pm Friday

The Ligue 1 title race has been blown wide open and Marseille are one of the key contenders. They are fancied to get the better of a Lille side who have lost four of their last nine games in all competitions. The visitors are the top scorers in the division and that could be the difference.

Prediction: Marseille

Nantes vs Lens

Kick-off: 4pm Saturday

Lens moved to the Ligue 1 summit thanks to last Sunday's 2-1 win at Angers and they should have no issues making it five victories in a row when taking on Nantes, who have conceded 12 goals while losing three and winning none of their last five matches.

Prediction: Lens

Toulouse vs Strasbourg

Kick-off: 6pm Saturday

Youthful Strasbourg's lack of experience is catching up with them and it is now four losses in six Ligue 1 games following last week's 2-1 home defeat to Brest. Toulouse earned an impressive point at Marseille last weekend and can make it five draws in six by holding Strasbourg to a stalemate.

Prediction: Draw

Paris Saint-Germain vs Rennes

Kick-off: 8.05pm Saturday

PSG were knocked off the Ligue 1 summit after last weekend's 1-0 loss to Monaco and they will have to work hard to bounce back given Rennes have won each of their last four games. Each side has plenty of attacking threat and both teams to score should land for the tenth time in 13 Rennes games.

Prediction: Both teams to score

Auxerre vs Metz

Kick-off: 2pm Sunday

Auxerre and Metz occupy the bottom two places in Ligue 1 and their survival clash seems certain to be cagey. Under 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in five of Auxerre's last six matches - they've scored only once in that stretch - while Metz have lost six of their seven away games.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Le Havre vs Paris FC

Kick-off: 4.15pm Sunday

The last three meetings between Le Havre and Paris FC have ended all-square and it would be no surprise if their latest clash was also finished in a draw. Le Havre have shared the spoils in three of their last five home league games and Paris FC may settle for a point given their away struggles.

Prediction: Draw

Lorient vs Lyon

Kick-off: 4.15pm Sunday

Lorient have lost only one of their seven league matches at home this season, but they haven't always been secure at the back in that time. Both teams scored six times in that run which should give Lyon, who got back on track with last weekend's 3-0 victory over Nantes, cause for optimism.

Prediction: Both teams to score

Nice vs Angers

Kick-off: 7.45pm Sunday

Following six straight defeats in all competitions, Nice are worth opposing as favourites at home to Angers this weekend. The visitors have lost only two of their last seven league matches and they battled to a 1-0 success at Toulouse in their last league fixture on the road.

Prediction: Angers or draw double chance

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