Ligue 1 2024/25 predictions: Gameweek 18: 17/01 - 19/01

Lens may have endured mixed results this term, but their hunt for a top-four finish remains within their reach. However, their top-four race may take a temporary pause this weekend when they will face the league leaders, PSG, in the next round.

Marseille will continue their push for the Ligue 1 title when they host Strasbourg on Sunday, but that’s a tricky encounter because the visitors are in decent form, having avoided a defeat in their last four league matches.

This week’s Ligue 1 gameweek 18 predictions were based on current form, data and expert knowledge. Therefore, you are advised not to take them seriously.

Ligue 1 2024/2025 Gameweek 18 Predictions and Betting Tips: 17/01/2025 - 19/01/2025

Monaco to bounce back to winning ways: Montpellier vs Monaco

• Date: 17/01/2025
• Kick-off: 19:00
• Montpellier are in rancid form and stand no chance of putting in a good shift against Monaco.

Monaco may have failed to win in their last three league matches, but they are likely to put a halt to that against Montpellier because the hosts are in dreadful form, having lost 12 of their last 17 league matches. 

Montpellier vs Monaco prediction 17/01/2025: Away team to win

Lille and OGC Nice to exchange goals: Lille vs Nice

• Date: 17/01/2025
• Kick-off: 21:05
• Lille may have one of the best defenses in the country, but they may struggle to keep a clean slate against OGC Nice, who have one of the best attacks.

Lille conceded 16 goals in 17 league matches, and they come up against an OGC Nice side that hasn’t struggled to score goals. The visitors scored 35 goals in 17 league matches, and that’s 2.05 goals scored per game. The hosts may have a decent backline, but we think the visitors can find the back of the net at least on one occasion, as Lille are 0.06 goals away from 1.0 goals conceded per game.

Lille vs OGC Nice prediction 17/01/2025: Both teams to score - yes

Paris Saint-Germain to secure a hard-fought win: Lens vs PSG

• Date: 18/01/2025
• Kick-off: 17:00
• Lens may be in decent form, but PSG are unbeaten after 17 matches, and we expect their unbeaten run to continue beyond this week.

PSG unsurprisingly sit at the top of the Ligue 1 standings with 43 points after 13 wins and 4 draws. While it remains unknown how long the Parisians can remain undefeated in the league, it looks feasible that they can outscore Lens in the upcoming game, as the hosts are not in their best scoring shape, having scored 21 goals in 17 matches. 

Lens vs PSG prediction 18/01/2025: Away team to win

Rennes and Brest to find the back of the net: Rennes vs Brest

• Date: 18/01/2025
• Kick-off: 19:00
• On paper, both teams appear fairly equal, and we don't anticipate either team to maintain a perfect record.

Rennes scored 23 goals and conceded 25 goals in 17 league matches, while Brest scored 26 goals and conceded 30 goals in 17 league games. Both teams struggle to keep clean sheets, having conceded more goals than matches played; hence we anticipate at least one goal from each end.

Rennes vs Brest prediction 18/01/2025: Both teams to score - yes

Lyon and Toulouse to struggle in the final third: Lyon vs Toulouse

• Date: 18/01/2025
• Kick-off: 21:05
• Matches involving either team struggle to produce at least three goals, so we expect less than four goals to be scored in the upcoming game.

Lyon averaged 3.0 goals per game after 17 league matches, while Toulouse averaged 2.23 goals per game. Matches involving either team rarely produce four or more goals, which makes the upcoming encounter an exciting one to expect fewer goals from.

Lyon vs Toulouse prediction 18/01/2025: Under 3.5 goals

Struggling Nantes to get on the scoresheet: Saint-Etienne vs Nantes

• Date: 19/01/2025
• Kick-off: 15:00
• Nantes may be around the relegation zone, but they can find the back of the net against any opposition, including Saint-Étienne.

Saint-Étienne are fighting against relegation, so we expect them to put up a fight. However, their defense line has been poor, having conceded 37 goals in 17 games. Nantes scored 20 goals in 17 league games, which suggests that they find it relatively easy to score at least one goal per game.

Saint-Etienne vs Nantes prediction 19/01/2025: Away over 0.5 goals

Angers and Auxerre to exchange goals: Angers vs Auxerre

• Date: 19/01/2025
• Kick-off: 17:15
• Only three points separate both teams, and we expect the pair to fight for the three points.

Angers scored 19 goals and conceded 27 goals in 17 league matches, while Auxerre performed better offensively and defensively, having scored 24 goals and conceded 26 goals in 17 matches. However, Angers are in decent form in recent weeks, scoring in big matches. We think they can do the same against Auxerre, thanks to their home support.

Angers vs Auxerre prediction 19/01/2025: Both teams to score - yes

Reims to get on the score sheet: Le Havre vs Reims

• Date: 19/01/2025
• Kick-off: 17:15
• Le Havre’s defense is in shambles, and we expect Reims not to sweat in the attacking third.

Le Havre conceded 36 goals in 17 league matches. That’s over two goals per game. Reims do not lack ideas in the final third, having scored 23 goals in 17 league games. While the away game against a relegation-battling team may present challenges, it shouldn't be unrealistic to expect a team of Reims' caliber to score against a team that has suffered 13 losses in their last 17 games. 

Le Havre vs Reims prediction 19/01/2025: Away over 0.5 goals

Marseille and Strasbourg to display their attacking prowess: Marseille vs Strasbourg

• Date: 19/01/2025
• Kick-off: 20:45
• Both teams have superb attacking lines, and we expect them to relish the opportunity to display their attacking mastery in Marseille.

Both teams are fond of scoring goals, and there is a huge chance they display their attacking brilliance yet again in Marseille. De Zerbi’s men scored 39 goals and conceded 20 in 17 league matches, while the visitors scored 30 goals and conceded 29 goals in the same number of games as the hosts. Both teams can exchange goals, but we would rather settle for at least three goals to be scored.

Marseille vs Strasbourg prediction 19/01/2025: Over 2.5 goals