Before the Round – Trends on France Ligue 1 (20-21/05)

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Three matchdays remain in Ligue 1. Paris Saint-Germain are on their way to another title, but the European qualification places are still up for grabs.

Although Angers are relegated, Nantes are battling to get out of the bottom four. Can they do it against Montpellier this week?

Nantes – Montpellier

Nantes sunk into the bottom four recently and are one point from safety. The Canaries are chasing Auxerre in the race for safety. On Saturday, Nantes will host 12th-place Montpellier, who are on a two-game winless streak.

Nantes are on a two-game winning streak against Montpellier in Ligue 1. Earlier this season, Nantes won 3-0 at Montpellier. The Canaries took just three points from the last 18 points on offer, scoring a mere five goals and conceding 10 times.

Montpellier’s form wasn’t much better. They took five points from the last six games. Montpellier scored 12 goals and conceded 10 times. The team is winless in back-to-back games.

• FC Nantes have failed to score in their last 3 matches in Ligue 1.
• In their 13 most recent Ligue 1 clashes, Montpellier HSC have managed to score 1+ goals.
• FC Nantes are in an unfortunate period, having won just 5 of their last 31 matches in Ligue 1.
• Montpellier HSC have drawn at half time their last 5 away matches against FC Nantes in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals

Nice – Toulouse

Nice and Toulouse finished 1-1 earlier this season in Ligue 1 play. The Eagles are unbeaten in four straight games versus Toulouse in all competitions.

Nice will finish the season in midtable after they failed to duplicate the heights of last season. The Eagles only managed six points from the last six matches, scoring a mere four goals.

Toulouse snatched eight points from their last six games. Les Violets drew each of their last two matches. Toulouse already won the Coupe de France this season, defeating Nantes in the final. Les Violets are safe for next term and have nothing to play for.

• OGC Nice haven't lost a match in 11 of their last 13 home matches in Ligue 1.
• In Toulouse FC's last 4 games in Ligue 1 there have been under 2.5 goals scored.
• OGC Nice have won just 1 of their last 6 home matches in Ligue 1.
• Toulouse FC haven't succeeded in scoring a goal in their 3 latest games in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Draw

Stade Brestois - Clermont Foot

Brest are on a two-match win streak against Clermont Foot ahead of their weekend fixture. The Pirates won 3-1 in the reverse fixture this season.

Clermont Foot are eighth in the Ligue 1 table. They are seven points off the top six with three matches left to play. Clermont are top of the form table, having taken 16 points from the last six games.

Brest are five points clear of 17th-place Nantes. The Pirates can take a big step toward safety with a win over Clermont. Brest are in form, as they took 11 points from the last 18 points on offer.

• Stade Brestois have won all of their last 4 home matches in Ligue 1.
• Clermont Foot are on an unbeaten run of 7 games in their Ligue 1 participation.
• Stade Brestois are undefeated in 7 of their last 8 league games.
• Both teams have scored in 4 of Clermon Foot's last 6 games in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Clermont Foot

Stade de Reims – Angers

Reims defeated Angers 4-2 in the reverse fixture this season. Matches between these teams are usually full of bad blood. The last five matches between Reims and Angers featured a total of six red cards.

Angers have been relegated to Ligue 2. The Black and White are bottom of the table, with a mere 14 points from 33 games. No team has conceded more goals than Angers’s 77. Angers took just three points from the last six games.

Reims cooled off after a brilliant middle of the season. The Reds are 11th in the table and safe for another year. Reims are not in good form, however. The Reds took four points from the last six games in Ligue 1.

• Stade Reims are undefeated in 11 of their last 13 home Ligue 1 games.
• Angers SCO have won only 1 of their last 27 away Ligue 1 matches.
• Stade Reims have won only 1 of their last 6 Ligue 1 matches.
• Angers SCO have a poor record of 6 consecutive away losses in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Stade Reims