Before the Round – Trends on France Ligue 1 (01/02)

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Ligue 1 is experiencing a title race this season, as Paris Saint-Germain once again dropped points at the weekend. Lens couldn’t take advantage, however, as they also dropped points. The teams are still separated by three points with a midweek set of fixtures this week.

FC Nantes - Olympique de Marseille

Marseille, like Lens, failed to take advantage of Paris Saint-Germain's slip-up at the weekend. OM drew 1-1 at home with Monaco. The draw kept Marseille unbeaten in Ligue 1. Marseille are unbeaten in eight straight games. Nantes are in fine form and slowly moving away from the bottom four.

Nantes took 10 points from the last six games in Ligue 1. The defence has improved, as they conceded just twice across the last six games. Only six goals were scored by the Canaries, however.

Marseille are unbeaten in five of their last six games in all competitions versus Nantes. Olympique defeated Nantes earlier this season 2-1. Marseille won three straight games versus Nantes and all three games had a red card.

• FC Nantes's most recent record of 6 consecutive games in Ligue 1 consists of no losses.
• A period of 8 straight games without a defeat marks the Ligue 1 campaign of Olympique Marseille.
• FC Nantes haven't lost a match in 22 of their last 25 home matches in Ligue 1.
• Olympique Marseille are unbeaten in 20 of their last 24 away matches in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Olympique de Marseille @1.95

Lille OSC - Clermont Foot 63

Clermont Foot are quietly having a strong season, as they sit eighth in the standings and eight points off fifth place. They are seeking a first win in three tries versus Lille in Ligue 1. Les Dogues defeated Clermont 2-0 away earlier this season.

Clermont Foot had a player sent off in their last two games in Ligue 1 against Lille. Despite their head-to-head form versus Lille, Clermont picked up 10 points from their last six games in Ligue 1. They scored just six goals and conceded six times.

Lille are coming off a 1-0 loss away to Nice. Although Les Dogues lost, they took 11 points from the last six games. Lille scored nine goals and conceded three times across the last six fixtures.

• A period of 7 straight home games without a defeat marks the Ligue 1 campaign of Lille OSC.
• There are no losses for Clermont Foot in 6 of their most recent 7 away games (Ligue 1).
• Lille OSC are unbeaten in 6 of their last 7 matches in Ligue 1.
• Under 2.5 goals have been scored in 4 of Clermont Foot's last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score @1.95

Stade de Reims – Lorient

Reims are in brilliant form with six straight games ending without a defeat. The Red and White are coming off a 1-1 draw with PSG at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. Lorient are sixth and two points off the European qualification places. Les Merlus are a surprise team in France this term.

Lorient are unbeaten in five of their last six matches versus Reims. The teams’ reverse fixture ended nil-nil with Reims receiving two red cards. Lorient are not in the best of form in the league with eight points from the last six games. They were outscored 10-8.

Reims picked up 10 points from the last six matches. No team has drawn more matches this season than Reims with 11 draws from 20 games. Reims are on a five-game unbeaten streak in Ligue 1.

• Stade Reims are undefeated at HT in their last 13 home league games.
• In their 7 most recent away matches of Ligue 1, FC Lorient have been undefeated 6 times.
• Stade Reims are unbeaten in 7 of their 8 most recent home matches (Ligue 1).
• Both teams have scored in 5 of Lorient's last 6 games in all competitions.
• Prediction: FC Lorient @4.33

RC Lens - OGC Nice

Lens drew 1-1 with Troyes at the weekend, as they missed the chance to pull within one point of PSG. Now, they host Nice and attempt to defeat a team Lens have struggled against.

Nice are 10th and starting to put some points together. Nice are unbeaten in three straight games with seven points from nine. The Eagles have an away record of 3W-4D-3L with a zero-goal difference.

Lens are unbeaten in 10 straight games in the league. Twelve points from the last six games were picked up by Lens in Ligue 1. The Blood and Gold are Ligue 1’s best home team with 30 points from 30 points possible.

• No defeats can be found in RC Lens's 15 most recent home games in Ligue 1.
• OGC Nice have not been beaten in 10 of their 11 most recent matches in Ligue 1.
• In their last 28 games in Ligue 1, RC Lens have recorded 27 undefeated encounters.
• OGC Nice have won just 1 of their last 6 away matches in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @1.73