Ligue 1 Preview Gameweek 30

The title may already be decided but the European spots and the relegation battle is still all to play for as the 30^th round of Ligue 1 fixtures kicks off.

Monaco v Reims Date 11/03/2016 – Venue – Stade Louis II – Kick Off 19:30 (UK Time)

Monaco and Reims begin the weekend at the Stade Louis II, where the hosts are looking to strengthen their lead in 2^nd place and the visitors are still fighting for their top flight status in 16^th. Lyon are currently breathing down the neck of Monaco and the gap was reduced to six points last weekend as Leonardo Jardim’s side drew for the second game in a row. They will look to build escape Les Gones as they welcome strugglers Reims on Friday, but Monaco will have Mario Pasalic out of action with a back injury.

After an emphatic win against Bordeaux, Reims were pegged back once again with a defeat at Lille, and Gazélec’s draw in the week means the visitors sit just two points above the drop zone. This game was always going to be a difficult one for Reims with the absentees; Antoine Devaux is reportedly suspended and the injury list contains the likes of Prince Oniangue.

Lorient v Marseille Date 12/03/2016 – Venue – Stade du Moustoir – Kick Off 16:00 (UK Time)

Another side who suffered a setback is Marseille, who were expected to beat Gazélec in the week but could only muster a point. Les Olympiens take on Lorient on Saturday; Les Merlus are only behind them on goal difference as they sit 11^th and 12^th respectively. This is a big game for the visitors as they are five points adrift of the top six and for a club of Marseille’s stature, it would be a calamity if they didn’t make the European spots. Lassana Diarra’s knee injury could keep him out of this one, but there are no further concerns over the Marseille side.

It doesn’t look as though Lorient will be in a relegation battle come the end of the season, in fact they are closer to the top six than the bottom three. Three games without defeat and two consecutive clean sheets will give Les Merlus confidence against Marseille. They will still be without Yann Jouffre and Benjamin Moukandjo for the match, while Papou Paye has also been ruled out with an injury.

Bastia v Lille Date 12/03/2016 – Venue – Stade Armand Cesari – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

Lille’s victory over Reims last weekend may be enough to keep them away from the relegation dogfight but they need to get more points on the board if they are to avoid being dragged back down. Les Dogues are 14^th in the league standings and a win on Saturday would take them above 10^th place Bastia. The teams below Lille are facing tough games this weekend so it is vital Lille get the three points. A blow for the visitor is that Sebastien Corchia could be out for a month with a groin injury, while Marvin Martin and Renato Civelli could also be on the sidelines.

Bastia’s league position may surprise many, as no-one would have expected them to be above Marseille, Lille, Montpellier and Bordeaux at this stage in the season. They have been in incredible form in recent weeks however, picking up 11 points from their last five matches, more impressively keeping five clean sheets. They could pose a threat to Lille on Saturday, especially with no changes to the side that faced Nantes last weekend.

Gazélec Ajaccio v Caen Date 12/03/2016 – Venue – Stade Ange Casanova – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

A Gazélec win is well overdue and the tough matches keep coming for the Corsicans as they welcome Caen to the Stade Ange Casanova. The home side sit 18^th and did well to earn a late point against Marseille on Wednesday to keep them in touch with their fellow relegation contenders. Gazélec probably have the best chance of winning this weekend out of their rivals, so this is an opportunity they can’t afford to miss. Amos Youga may still be out with a thigh injury but there are no forced changes to the starting line-up from midweek.

Caen have done very well to pick up seven points from their last three against Rennes, Saint-Étienne and Monaco, taking them to 6^th. This makes them a realistic contender for a place in the Europa League and it’s a great chance for them with the usual European challengers struggling this season. No new injuries or suspensions for Caen means an unchanged starting eleven is expected to face Gazélec.

Guingamp v Saint-Étienne Date 12/03/2016 – Venue – Stade du Roudourou – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

After four games without a win, Saint-Étienne will look to get three points on the board as they travel to strugglers Guingamp. Les Verts have had a tough run of fixtures in recent weeks and this is a must-win for the away side. They currently sit 7^th and a victory would surely take them into the top six. Fabien Lemoine is suspended for Saint-Étienne and Jonathan Brison will be unavailable after ankle surgery.

Guingamp are 17^th and just two points above the relegation zone. Gazélec have a winnable game so this is a big one for the hosts. After five games without a win including a 5-1 thrashing at Lyon in the last game, Guingamp will be quite low on confidence but will fancy their chances against an out-of-form Saint-Étienne. Mana Dembele and Franck Hery are the most recent injured players for the home side.

Montpellier v Nice Date 12/03/2016 – Venue – Stade de la Mosson – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

Montpellier and Nice would usually be competing for a European spot, but this year it is just the visitors who look certain to get one with Montpellier finding things difficult in the bottom half of the table. Despite avoiding defeat in their last five outings, Montpellier are 15^th and only six points above the bottom three, but La Paillade will be positive after drawing with PSG last weekend. Morgan Sanson is the latest name on the list of absentees, as the midfielder is recovering from a meniscus injury.

A narrow win for Nice in their last game against Troyes was their first in five attempts, and it came at a good time as they were beginning to slip down the table. Les Aiglons are 4^th and need to start winning to establish themselves in the top six, as well as chasing down Monaco in 2^nd. No injuries or suspensions means Nice may well name an unchanged starting line-up; a consistent eleven is going to be key in these last nine games.

Toulouse v Bordeaux Date 13/03/2016 – Venue – Stadium Municipal – Kick Off 19:00 (UK Time)

While Toulouse are struggling in 19^th, Bordeaux are not safe from danger in 13^th despite being eight points above the relegation zone. This could be the last chance to save their season for the hosts, as Les Pitchouns are currently nine points from safety and any more than that would be an irrecoverable position. They will count on the home advantage for this game in an attempt to get a much-needed victory, and with no absentees they have a full squad available for selection.

It’s been a very disappointing season by Bordeaux’s standards and after a decent spell of form, they have only won one of their last six matches. A draw against Gazélec was the latest poor result and anything but a win at the Stadium Municipal could set Les Girondins up for a tricky end to the campaign. Bordeaux are starting to get some of their key players back, but a plague of injuries has taken a hit on their season.

Troyes v Paris Saint-Germain Date 12/03/2016 – Venue – Stade de l’Aube – Kick Off 13:00 (UK Time)

Troyes’ relegation could be confirmed in the next few games unless they start to pick up the points, but this will be a very tough ask against soon-to-be champions PSG. The league’s bottom club have lost their last three and with Les Parisians brimming with confidence after knocking out Chelsea in the Champions League, it could soon be four. There are no new issues within the Troyes side regarding injuries and suspensions.

Just like Troyes’ relegation, PSG could have their title confirmed in the next few weeks. Les Parisians are 23 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table with only 27 available. Their hosts’ performances have slightly improved recently, but the PSG firepower should be enough to overwhelm Troyes. Thiago Motta is supposedly suspended for the encounter, while Marco Verratti is out with an adductor strain.

Nantes v Angers Date 13/03/2016 – Venue – Stade de la Beaujoire – Kick Off 16:00 (UK Time)

One of the games of the weekend is at the Stade de la Beaujoire, where Nantes welcome Angers. The outcome of this match could decide where the teams finish come the end of the season, Nantes are 8^th while Angers are two points below in 9^th and both are pushing for a place in European football next season. Les Canaris missed a huge opportunity to get into the top six in the week when they were held to a draw with Bastia, so they will look to recover with the three points on Sunday. Ermir Lenjani and Alejandro Bedoya are the only players expected to miss this game for Nantes.

Angers’ dip in form has come at the wrong time in the season as they have failed to win in their last six games; losing four and drawing two. With Nantes showing signs of a struggle they need to take advantage if they are going to achieve a top six finish. Pierrick Capelle remains on the sideline with a tibia injury but he is the only notable absentee for the visitors.

Rennes v Lyon Date 13/03/2016 – Venue – Roazhon Park – Kick Off 20:00 (UK Time)

The encounter between Rennes and Lyon at Roazhon Park also has the potential to be a good, attacking game. Both sides are battling in the top six; just one point separates the hosts in 5^th from the visitors in 3^rd, so it is all to play for. Rennes have won their last two games and thrashed Nantes last weekend to get their hands on a European spot. The absence of the suspended Giovanni Sio and injured Paul-Georges Ntep will swing the match slightly in Lyon’s favour.

Five victories from their last six has guided Lyon to the top three as they are back to business as usual in the Ligue 1 form table. The confidence from the win over PSG was displayed last week in a 5-1 demolition of Guingamp, so there is no doubt Rennes will have their hands full if Les Gones are on song once again. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is the latest player to be ruled out for Lyon as he is suspended for this game.