Before The Round - France Ligue 1 (01-02/04)

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Paris Saint-Germain are seven points ahead of second-place Marseille going into round 29.

The race for the top three is heating up in the division with Lens, Monaco, and Rennes all fighting for the final Champions League place.

Auxerre – Troyes

Champions League qualification is not what Auxerre and Troyes are fighting for. Both clubs are in the relegation zone, and Saturday’s match is a relegation six-pointer. The reverse fixture between the teams ended 1-1 in November.

Auxerre are 17th in the standings going into the match this weekend. They are one point from safety and could emerge from the bottom four. Auxerre took two points from their last three games. However, they are unbeaten in three straight home matches.

Troyes are 18th in the standings and three points off safety. They are winless in six straight fixtures in the league, taking two points from the last 18 on offer. Troyes are on a five-game losing streak away from home.

• AJ Auxerre have won just 3 of their last 24 matches in Ligue 1.
• Troyes AC have lost their last 5 away Ligue 1 matches in a row.
• AJ Auxerre have not been beaten in 6 of their 7 most recent matches in Ligue 1.
• Troyes AC are on a poor run of just 1 wins in 20 matches (Ligue 1).
• Prediction: AJ Auxerre

Stade Rennais – Lens

Lens are unbeaten in five straight matches against Rennes. The Blood and Gold won their last two meetings against Rennes which included a 2-1 victory earlier this campaign.

Rennes picked up 10 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. They scored just six times and conceded four goals to opponents.

Lens are unbeaten in five straight games in Ligue 1. They took 11 from the last 18 points on offer in Ligue 1. The Blood and Gold scored 11 times and conceded five goals across those six matches.

• Stade Rennais are unbeaten at half time in all of their last 23 home matches in Ligue 1.
• RC Lens are on a run of 13 consecutive undefeated at half time matches in their domestic league.
• Stade Rennais have a good record of 11 undefeated games of their last 13 home encounters in Ligue 1.
• RC Lens are undefeated in 33 of their last 36 Ligue 1 games.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score - Yes

Clermont Foot – Ajaccio

Clermont Foot are on a two-game winning streak against Ajaccio in all competitions. On Sunday, Clermont are looking for a third straight win over the relegation-threatened side.

Ajaccio start the weekend in 19th place. They are three points off safety in the standings and can still rescue their season. Ajaccios are on a three-game losing streak in Ligue 1.

Clermont Foot are 13th in the standings and 11 points above the relegation zone. The team are on a two-game losing streak in Ligue 1. Clermont’s home form hasn’t been good, as they failed to win each of their last five matches at home.

• In their last 9 games in Ligue 1, Clermont Foot have recorded only 1 wins.
• AC Ajaccio haven't succeeded in scoring a goal in their 3 latest away games in Ligue 1.
• Clermont Foot are reaching an an average of 0.79 goals in home Ligue 1 games.
• AC Ajaccio have won only 1 of their last 9 away Ligue 1 matches.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score - No

Nantes - Stade de Reims

Nantes are looking for a second straight home win over Reims. However, the Canaries are not in good form, failing to win their last five games. Seven points separate Nantes from the bottom four.

Reims lost for the first time in Ligue 1 since November last time out. The Reds still took 13 points from the last 18 points on offer in the French top flight. The team scored 10 goals and conceded two in the last six games.

Nantes picked up five points from the last 18 points on offer. They were outscored 11-7 across the last six matches.

• FC Nantes have not been beaten in 20 of their 24 most recent home matches in Ligue 1.
• Stade Reims have not suffered any defeats in their 10 most recent away Ligue 1 matches.
• FC Nantes are on a poor run of just 1 wins in 6 matches (Ligue 1).
• Stade Reims are unbeaten in 19 of their last 20 Ligue 1 games.
• Prediction: Draw