Lyon v Saint-Etienne

The Derby du Rhone is one of France’s most passionate derby encounters and where we will kick off Ligue 1 this weekend. Lyon’s supporters have already made clear that they expect their team to seal a victory in this match, with banners around the club’s training ground on Wednesday urging the players to “finish off” their bottom-of-the-table neighbours.

OL are a team under pressure. Although they won 1-0 over Troyes last weekend, a six-game winless run prior to that means that Peter Bosz could well be sacked with a negative result in this encounter.

Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, have lost their last six Ligue 1 games but did turn in an improved display against Lens last weekend and were unlucky to concede twice late on to lose 2-1. They are not as weak as their odds might suggest.

Given how unpredictable Lyon are at home, winning only four of 10 at the Groupama Stadium in Ligue 1 this season, focusing on goals is where value can be found.

Lyon’s las four Ligue 1 matches have produced fewer than 2.5 goals, while none of Saint-Etienne’s last four away fixtures in the league have seen more than that figure.

The home side have been wasteful in front of goal in recent weeks, while visiting boss Pascal Dupraz will have his team scrapping for absolutely everything as they battle the drop.

Brest v Lille

Brest’s start to 2022 has been challenging, with back-to-back defeats against Nice and Paris Saint-Germain, in which they have failed to score a single goal. It means they have now drawn a blank in three of their last four matches, having scored in their first 17 of the season.

Lille, meanwhile, have hit an improved patch of form lately. Undefeated in nine in the league, they drew in Marseille last weekend, despite playing much of the match with 10 men, then eased to a surprisingly straightforward 3-1 victory over Lorient in midweek.

Brest have not proven an easy opponent for the defending champions in recent fixtures. The sides drew 1-1 in France’s north earlier this season while Lille failed to win either fixture against the Bretons last season, despite going on to win the league.

The hosts should be given fresh offensive impetus thanks to the arrival of Martin Satriano on loan from Inter while their quest for goals should also be helped by the fatigue Lille must have in their legs after a busy week.

The visitors rightly start as odds-against favourites, but given nine of their last 10 Ligue 1 matches have seen both teams find the net, the best value appears to be on that bet ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Lens v Marseille

Saturday night’s clash between Lens and Marseille promises to be an interesting meeting of contrasting sides. While Lens have excelled at home this season, OM’s away record is what has them lying third.

Racing have started 2022 in a positive fashion in terms of results, though not so much in terms of performances. In each of their last three games, they have scored a result-changing goal after 90 minutes, with midfield talisman Seko Fofana getting two of these.

One of Lens’ rare away wins came against Marseille 3-2 in September, but their opponents have become far more conservative in their style since then, resulting in a run of low-scoring games.

Indeed, Jorge Sampaoli’s side have thrived on winning tight away fixtures. In all competitions, only twice in their last 11 trips have both teams scored. In Ligue 1, they have kept six cleansheets in their last seven away from home and only once in their last have they been involved in a game that has produced more than two goals.

Marseille’s defensive strength has the capacity to make this another tight-fought battle.