Before the Round – Trends on France Ligue 1 (26-27/08)

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Monaco and Brest are atop the French Ligue 1 standings after two matches, with a perfect six points.

Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain could only draw their opening two fixtures. Meanwhile, Nantes, Lyon, and Clermont Foot are in the bottom three going into round No 3.

Olympique Marseille - Stade Brestois

Marseille will host Brest in one of two matches on Saturday. OM lost at home last season to Brest, 2-1. Indeed, Brest took four points from six points possible against Marseille in 2022-23.

Stade Brestois started the new season in fine form, winning 3-2 against Lens and 2-1 away to Havre. Brest are used to fighting against relegation. Their strong start could see them have a more relaxed season. A win over Marseille would send supporters into seventh heaven.

Marseille lost their last two home matches against Brest by identical 2-1 scores. Olympique are unbeaten this season, with four points from two games. A 2-1 home win against Reims was followed by a 2-2 draw at Metz.

• In their last 7 home matches from Ligue 1, Olympique Marseille have seen both teams score.
• Both teams scored in all of Stade Brestois's last 7 matches against Olympique Marseille in Ligue 1.
• The team of Olympique Marseille are on a poor run of 12 home matches in Ligue 1 in all of which they have conceded 1+ goals.
• In their last 13 games in Ligue 1, Stade Brestois have been undefeated on 11 occasions.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Stade Rennais - Le Havre

Rennes will face newly-promoted Le Havre, seeking to stay unbeaten in three Ligue 1 matches to start the campaign. The Red and Black have not played Le Havre in Ligue 1 since 2009. There are no recent trends between these clubs.

Le Havre picked up one point from their opening two matches. The team was promoted from Ligue 2 at the end of last season and are expected to battle relegation this term. Le Havre drew 2-2 with Montpellier before losing 2-1 at home to Brest.

Rennes are third in the standings after picking up four points from a possible six. A 5-1 home win over Metz was followed by a 1-1 draw away to Lens.

• No defeats can be found in Stade Rennais's 6 most recent games in Ligue 1.
• Le Havre have managed to win just 1 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• Stade Rennais have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 4 meetings with Le Havre AC in Ligue 1.
• There have been under 2.5 goals in 4 of Le Havre's last 6 encounters.
• Prediction: Stade Rennais

Strasbourg – Toulouse

Strasbourg went unbeaten in five of their last six matches against Toulouse in all competitions. However, Toulouse took four points from six on offer against Strasbourg last season. The teams saw red cards handed out in both games during the 2022-23 season.

Toulouse started last season as a newly-promoted team. They retained their Ligue 1 status and won the French Cup. Now, Toulouse are playing in three competitions, which will make the new season difficult. The Purples started the season well with four points thanks to a win over Nantes and a draw with PSG.

• Strasbourg haven't lost in 5 of their last 6 home matches in Ligue 1.
• A period of 7 straight games without a defeat marks the Ligue 1 campaign of Toulouse FC.
• There have been over 2.5 goals in 3 of the latest Ligue 1 matches of Strasbourg.
• Toulouse FC have managed to defeat Strasbourg in just 1 of their 11 most recent encounters in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Lorient – Lille

The home team won the last four matches between Lorient and Lille in all competitions. The teams split their Ligue 1 matches last season. Lorient won at home 2-1, and Lille picked up a victory 3-1 on their turf. Lorient had a player sent off in both fixtures.

Lille took four points from their opening two games. A 1-1 draw away to Nice was followed by a 2-0 win over Nantes.

Lorient did not start the season well. They took just two points from six points on offer. A nil-nil draw with PSG was followed by a 1-1 draw with Nice. Although two points from six wasn’t ideal, the draws came against two strong Ligue 1 teams.

• FC Lorient's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 1 of their last 6 matches (Ligue 1).
• Lille OSC have not been beaten in their last 6 straight clashes in Ligue 1.
• FC Lorient's latest meetings with Lille OSC have been high-scoring with over 2.5 goals in all of their last 3 home encounters (Ligue 1).
• Lille OSC have won just 1 of their last 9 away matches in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score