Before the Round – Trends on France Ligue 1(11-12/03)

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With three straight wins, Paris Saint-Germain have opened an eight-point lead on second-place Marseille.

Meanwhile, Brest, Strasbourg, and Auxerre are all in a battle to get out of and away from the relegation zone.

Auxerre - Stade Rennais

Rennes smashed Auxerre 5-0 earlier this season and will aim for another big win over Ligue 1’s 17th-place team. Auxerre will start the round in the relegation zone but could move out of it by the end of the weekend.

Rennes are fifth in the standings ahead of the weekend. The Red and Black took nine points from their last six matches. Rennes have struggled on the road with four losses from their last five away games.

Auxerre are unbeaten in five straight Ligue 1 games. They have given themselves a lifeline in the relegation fight. Auxerre are unbeaten in back-to-back home matches ahead of the weekend.

• AJ Auxerre's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 3 of their last 20 matches (Ligue 1).
• Stade Rennais are in an unfortunate period, having won just 1 of their last 6 away matches in Ligue 1.
• AJ Auxerre are scoring an average of 0.88 goals in their Ligue 1 games.
• In Stade Rennais's last 3 Ligue 1 matches, there have been under 2.5 goals.
• Prediction: Stade Rennais

Stade Brestois - Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain can continue their assault on Ligue 1 with a trip to Brest. The home side is 15th in the standings and just one point above the relegation zone. Paris won their last six matches against Brest.

Brest failed to win five of their last six matches in Ligue 1. They could end the weekend in the bottom four with a loss or draw and results going against them. Breast took just 11 points from their opening 12 home games. Paris Saint-Germain are unbeaten in 32 of their last 35 Ligue 1 matches.

The team won’t have Neymar who will miss the remainder of the campaign. In addition, PSG are coming off a Champions League last-16 second-leg match in Germany against Bayern Munich.

Clermont Foot – Lens

Clermont Foot went winless in their last six matches versus Lens in all competitions. The away side will be confident of getting a result. The reverse fixture saw Lens win 2-1.

Lens are unbeaten in 31 of their last 34 matches in Ligue 1. The Gold and Blood Red go into the match unbeaten in three straight league matches. Lens are fourth in the table and only outside the top three thanks to goal difference.

Clermont Foot are having a strong season and should finish midtable barring any disasters. Clermont are unbeaten in back-to-back matches in Ligue 1. However, the team went winless in their last four home fixtures.

• Clermont Foot's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 1 of their last 8 home matches (Ligue 1).
• RC Lens are unbeaten in 31 of their 34 most recent matches (Ligue 1).
• In Clermont Foot's last 7 Ligue 1 matches, there have been under 2.5 goals.
• RC Lens have achieved just 1 wins of their last 7 away Ligue 1 games.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Ajaccio – Montpellier

Red cards were common in the last six matches between Ajaccio and Montpellier. Seven red cards were handed out to the teams across those six fixtures. Earlier this season, Montpellier posted a 2-0 win, as both clubs had a player sent off.

Ajaccio lost eight of their last 10 Ligue 1 matches. The team is 18th in the standings but just one point off safety. Ajaccio scored the fewest goals in Ligue 1 after 26 matchdays.

Montpellier are not safe from danger. The team is 13th in the standings and eight points ahead of the relegation zone. Sunday’s game is a six-pointer for both sides. A win for Montpellier would almost ensure a midtable finish. Montpellier are unbeaten in their last four games.

• AC Ajaccio score an average of 0.77 goals in their Ligue 1 matches.
• Montpellier HSC haven't suffered a loss to AC Ajaccio in 8 of their most recent 9 clashes in Ligue 1.
• There have been under 2.5 goals in 4 of Ajaccio's last 6 encounters with Montpellier.
• In Montpellier HSC's last 3 away Ligue 1 matches, there have been under 2.5 goals.
• Prediction: Montpellier