Ligue 1 2024/25 predictions: Gameweek 16

Marseille can reduce the deficits behind PSG at the top of the Ligue 1 standings to seven points when they host relegation-bounce Le Havre on Sunday. At the same time, Lille and Lyon will look to bounce back to winning ways after last round’s setback. 

This week’s Ligue 1 gameweek 16 predictions were made based on expert knowledge, data, and current form. 

Ligue 1 2024/25 Gameweek 16 predictions and betting tips: 03/01 - 05/01

Nice and Rennes to exchange goals: OGC Nice vs Rennes

• Date: 03/01/2025
• Kick-off: 21:00
• Both teams have conceded more goals than matches played, so we expect at least one goal on both ends.

Both teams scored and conceded at least one goal in Nice’s last five matches, while Rennes kept clean sheets in two of their last five matches. Nice rarely blank in matches, which suggests they are likely to get on the scoreboard against the visitors.

Nice vs Rennes prediction 03/01/2025: Both teams to score - yes

Reims to avoid a defeat in Etienne: Saint-Etienne vs Reims

• Date: 04/01/2025
• Kick-off: 17:00
• Saint-Etienne are in dire form, which suggests they are unlikely to beat Reims, who are in better form, with one defeat in their last five matches.

Saint-Etienne sit in 16th place with 10 defeats in 15 league matches, and it is unlikely that they can turn their form around against Reims, who lost just once in their last five league games. The hosts may decide to put in a good shift, but the visitors have a decent squad that can avoid a defeat against a struggling team such as Saint-Etienne.

Saint-Etienne vs Reims prediction 04/01/2025: Away team to win or draw

Lille to bounce back to winning ways: Lille vs Nantes

• Date: 04/01/2025
• Kick-off: 19:00
• Lille dropped points in the last round, but they are likely to return to winning ways against struggling Nantes.

Nantes are in poor form, having won just once in their last five league matches. They sit just one point outside the relegation zone, and playing Lille, who are in better form with only two defeats in 15 league matches, suggests they are unlikely to turn their dreadful form around.

Lille vs Nantes prediction 04/01/2025: Home team to win

Lyon to recover from last round’s setback: Lyon vs Montpellier

• Date: 04/01/2025
• Kick-off: 21:00
• Montpellier are in dire form, having lost 10 of their last 15 league matches. They sit at the bottom of the standings and are unlikely to put up a fight against 5th-placed Lyon.

Montpellier are in horrendous form, having only managed two wins in 15 league matches. They sit at the bottom of the standings after a series of poor results. The visitors rarely put up a decent display as visitors, which suggests the hosts are expected to take all three points.

Lyon vs Montpellier prediction 04/01/2025: Home team to win

Strasbourg and Auxerre to display their attacking mastery: Strasbourg vs Auxerre

• Date: 05/01/2025
• Kick-off: 15:00
• Both teams are fond of finding the back of the net but struggle to shut teams out from doing the same. There are chances that both teams can give their fans goals to celebrate.

Strasbourg scored 25 goals and conceded 27 goals in 15 league matches, while Auxerre scored 23 goals and conceded 23 goals in 15 league matches. Both teams scored and conceded more goals than the matches they played, which suggests they are likely to get on the scoreboard at least once in Strasbourg.

Strasbourg vs Auxerre prediction 05/01/2025: Both teams to score - yes

Brest to maintain their winning momentum: Angers vs Brest

• Date: 05/01/2025
• Kick-off: 15:00
• Angers are in dire form and are unlikely to put in a good shift against Champions League participants Brest.

Angers lost four of their last five league matches and eight in their last 15 Ligue 1 games. They are increasingly unlikely to put in a good shift against Brest because the visitors are in better form with two wins in their last five matches. Brest, who participate in the Champions League, have better attacking players who can decide games, and this alone should be too much for the hosts to handle.

Brest vs Angers prediction 05/01/2025: Away team to win

Lens and Toulouse to struggle to create many clear-cut chances: Lens vs Toulouse

• Date: 05/01/2025
• Kick-off: 15:00
• Matches involving either team rarely produce three or more goals, and we think the upcoming encounter wouldn’t end differently.

Lens averaged 2.20 goals per game after 15 league matches, while Toulouse averaged 2.26 goals per game after 15 Ligue 1 games. The majority of both teams’ league matches ended with less than 2.5 goals, which suggests the upcoming encounter may lack goals.

Lens vs Toulouse prediction 05/01/2025: Under 2.5 goals

Marseille to return to winning ways: Marseille vs Le Havre

• Date: 05/01/2025
• Kick-off: 20:45
• Le Havre are in dire form and have no chance to turn their dreadful form away from home against Marseille.

Marseille are challenging PSG for the Ligue 1 title and will only think about returning to winning ways when they host struggling Le Havre. De Zerbi’s side is expected to get all three points, thanks to the visitors’ poor form, having lost 11 of their last 15 league matches.

Marseille vs Le Havre prediction 05/01/2025: Home team to win