Predictions for Matchday 34 of Ligue 1, May 17
Lens vs Monaco
With a home victory over Lyon (2:0), Monaco secured a spot in the top three and will definitely play in the main stage of the Champions League. Mission accomplished. Lens, on the other hand, lost their tournament motivation a while ago. In the last round, they once again avoided defeat away and became one of the best away teams in Ligue 1 – only PSG (1) has fewer losses than the "Blood and Gold" (4). However, Lens's home results are weak. Therefore, we suggest betting on Monaco to win with a handicap (0).
Match prediction for Lens vs Monaco: away win with a handicap (0)
Lille vs Reims
Lille missed the chance to enter the top 4 in the last round, but their competitors also stumbled. In the final round, the "Dogs" need to win and hope for a slip-up from Nice. If the "Eaglets" also win, only a miracle will help Lille. Reims had another weak match in the last round, losing at home to Saint-Etienne. Now, in case of defeat, the "Red and Whites" risk finishing in the relegation playoff zone. The pressure on Reims's goal will be intense, so a bet on corners is advisable.
Match prediction for Lille vs Reims: home team to win on corners in the 1st half with a handicap (-1.5)
Lyon vs Angers
All of Lyon's competitors stumbled in the last round. However, Lyon themselves meekly lost to Monaco, so their chances for the top 4 are slim. Nice, Lille, and Strasbourg all need to lose simultaneously. Meanwhile, Angers is celebrating. The team performed strongly in recent matches – 2 victories guaranteed them a place in Ligue 1 for the next season. Such matches for the visitors are often called hangover games. Most likely, they will have issues with motivation and commitment. Therefore, we suggest betting on a Lyon win.
Match prediction for Lyon vs Angers: home win with a handicap (-1.5)
Marseille vs Rennes
Marseille secured a spot in the main stage of the Champions League for next season, mission accomplished, and now they can celebrate at their home stadium with their fans. To boost the mood, they need a win in the last round. Roberto De Zerbi will properly motivate the players. Rennes, however, has already ensured a good mood for their fans by defeating Nice at home in the last round. The visitors will definitely finish the championship in the middle of the table. Most likely, this match will feature a festive, entertaining football.
Match prediction for Marseille vs Rennes: total over 2.5 goals
Nantes vs Montpellier
With a series of five matches without a win, Nantes nearly brought the situation to a critical point – the "Canaries" are only 2 points away from the relegation playoff zone. But in the last round, the schedule presented the hosts with a gift in the form of a generous Montpellier, who are already relegated and are on a 14-match winless streak.(0-1-13) with a goal difference of 3:32. A draw will suffice for the hosts to maintain their league status, as Nantes will definitely have a better goal difference than Le Havre if points are equal. The visitors have been playing quite boldly in recent matches and have been earning a fair number of corners, while Nantes concedes many corners at their goal. Let's build on this.
Match Prediction for Nantes vs Montpellier: Montpellier's Individual Total Corners Over 3.5
PSG vs Auxerre
PSG continues its preparation for the two main matches at the end of the season. On May 24, Luis Enrique's team will face Reims in the French Cup final, and on May 31, they will play against Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Most likely, the "Parisians" will field a mixed lineup again to ensure all players are in optimal condition for the key games. However, as shown in the last round's match against Montpellier (4:1), a non-optimal lineup has little impact on the team's scoring ability. Auxerre is playing relaxed at the end of the season, with no pressure from results—they definitely won't climb higher than 10th place. Therefore, their matches are quite entertaining, with a large number of goals scored.
Match Prediction for PSG vs Auxerre: Total Over 3.5 Goals
Nice vs Brest
Competitors have given Nice another chance to finish in the top-4. A win in the upcoming match will almost guarantee Frank Eze's team a spot in the Champions League qualifiers. Brest ended their home campaign on a high note this season, winning their last two matches without conceding a goal. The "Pirates" have no tournament motivation, but they surely remember their home defeat to Nice in the first round. A good opportunity for revenge. Based on the statistics of recent matches, including head-to-head encounters, Nice has an advantage in corners.
Match Prediction for Nice vs Brest: Home Win on Corners with a Handicap (-1.5)
Saint-Étienne vs Toulouse
A do-or-die match for Saint-Étienne. There are still chances to escape the direct relegation zone. For this, they need a win in the last match, and Strasbourg must not lose to Le Havre. Meanwhile, Toulouse is ending the season on a positive note. After a series of 5 defeats, the team has picked up points in three consecutive matches. The visitors are likely to finish in 12th place, which doesn't add motivation for the upcoming game. In such a situation, it's logical to choose a win for Saint-Étienne.
Match Prediction for Saint-Étienne vs Toulouse: Home Win
Strasbourg vs Le Havre
The central match of the round, considering the level of motivation for both teams. Strasbourg, despite an unexpected defeat against Angers, is still fighting for a top-4 finish. The hosts need not only their own victory but also the loss of points by both competitors – Nice and Lille. Meanwhile, Le Havre is on the brink of relegation. By the end of the final round, the "dark blues" could either be directly relegated to Ligue 2 or remain in Ligue 1. Only a victory will suffice for them. The match is expected to be eventful, including plenty of goals.
