Ligue 1 Matchday 22: High Stakes, High Pressure, And High Drama

Matchday 22 in Ligue 1 arrives with storylines everywhere you look. Managerial upheaval, title-race tension, European ambitions, and relegation battles all collide in a weekend packed with decisive fixtures.

‎Below is a deep dive into all the top fixtures shaping this weekend’s action.

‎Rennes vs Paris Saint-Germain

‎Managerless and under pressure, Rennes step into one of the season’s toughest challenges as they host league leaders PSG at Roazhon Park.

‎The club dismissed Habib Beye earlier in the week after a run of five winless matches across competitions. Their latest disappointment came against Lens, where despite taking an early lead through Esteban Lepaul and spending much of the second half with a man advantage, they still left empty-handed.

‎With dressing-room unrest and injury setbacks adding to the chaos, reserve coach Sebastien Tambouret will temporarily take charge.

‎Rennes remain sixth, but the gap to the European places is tightening, and they hold only a single point over seventh-placed Strasbourg. Their recent home form offers slight encouragement, having lost just once in their last six home outings, though that defeat did come in their previous match at Roazhon Park.

‎Contrastingly, Paris Saint-Germain enters this clash in explosive form. Their seven-match winning streak in the league includes a 5–0 demolition of Rennes in the reverse fixture.

‎Last weekend’s emphatic 5–0 win over Marseille reestablished them at the top of the table, with Ousmane Dembele shining after scoring twice, while further goals came from a Facundo Medina own goal, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Lee Kang-In.

‎PSG could temporarily extend their lead to five points, pending Lens’ fixture. They have won three consecutive league matches on the road, albeit by narrow margins, suggesting that Rennes may find opportunities if they can stay disciplined.

‎However, PSG’s attacking firepower is undeniable they have scored at least twice in six of their last seven Ligue 1 games, while Rennes have conceded three or more goals in each of their last three fixtures.

‎Team News

‎Rennes’ injury list includes major concerns, most notably Liverpool-bound Jeremy Jacquet, who may need shoulder surgery, and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, who sustained a thigh issue.

‎Meanwhile, PSG remain without Fabian Ruiz and Quentin Ndjantou, though Achraf Hakimi returns from suspension and should slot back into the defence.

‎With momentum firmly on PSG’s side and Rennes in disarray, the league leaders are expected to maintain their edge. A competitive match could unfold, but the quality gap feels too wide at this moment.

‎Predicted score: Rennes 1–3 PSG

‎A Chance to Escape the Drop Zone

‎Nantes has the opportunity to temporarily climb out of the relegation zone when they visit Monaco. The hosts are coming off a goalless draw with Nice, leaving them in 10th, while Nantes suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to Lyon.

‎Monaco’s season has been wildly inconsistent one week producing a 4–0 win over Rennes, the next stumbling to a disappointing performance. Their Champions League hopes for next season look slim, sitting 11 points behind Marseille.

‎Yet there are positives: they are unbeaten in their last three league fixtures without conceding a single goal. Home form remains a pillar of strength, producing six victories this season at Stade Louis II.

‎History heavily favours Monaco as they are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches against Nantes, winning 10 of them.

‎Nantes, meanwhile, find themselves in a spiral with four straight league losses, three of which were decided by just one goal. Their struggles in front of the goal have been persistent, scoring only 19 times this season, the third-fewest in the league.

‎Team News

‎Both teams are dealing with significant injury issues. Monaco may again be without Paul Pogba, Mohammed Salisu, Takumi Minamino, and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, while Nantes could miss Bahmed Deuff and Deiver Machado through knocks and muscle issues.

‎Nonetheless, the home side’s superior quality, form, and historical dominance make them overwhelming favourites.

‎Predicted score: Monaco 2–0 Nantes

‎Paris FC vs Lens

‎Lens continues its push to keep pace with PSG at the top of the table as it travels to face Paris FC. The hosts have been improving defensively, collecting four straight league matches without defeat and recording two clean sheets in their last three games.

‎However, scoring remains an issue they have failed to find the net in their last two fixtures across all competitions.

‎Paris FC sit comfortably above the relegation playoff spot and have been particularly strong at home in February, historically avoiding defeat during this month since 2018.

‎Stability has been their backbone, and another clean sheet would make it three in a row for the first time since 2024.

‎Lens, on the other hand, remains relentless and consistently finds ways to win. Their victory over Rennes kept them two points behind PSG heading into the weekend.

‎However, their away form has been slightly inconsistent, with three league losses on the road this season all occurring when conceding first. Still, Lens has won nine straight league matches after scoring the opener.

‎Team News

‎Injuries remain a concern for both camps, with Paris FC missing several key players including Pierre-Yves Hamel and Sofiane Alakouch, while Lens could be without Regis Gurtner, Jonathan Gradit, and Jhoanner Chavez.

‎Ruben Aguilar is suspended after receiving a second yellow during the win over Rennes.

‎Despite these setbacks, Lens’ tactical discipline and resiliency under Pierre Sage continue to shine.

‎Predicted score: Paris FC 0–1 Lens

‎Lyon vs Nice

‎Lyon are on a sensational run, winning 12 straight matches across all competitions and climbing to third in Ligue 1.

‎Their 1–0 win over Nantes last weekend, sealed by Pavel Sulc’s 10th league goal, kept them perfect in 2026 and extended their outstanding home record.

‎Lyon have won each of their last eight matches at Groupama Stadium, and have not lost there since early November.

‎Paulo Fonseca’s team is playing with intensity, cohesion, and confidence, emerging as one of the league’s most in-form sides. They are now just nine points behind PSG and firmly in the battle for a Champions League place.

‎Nice, after a difficult first half of the season, has shown signs of life. They have lost just once in their last six matches in all competitions and recently recorded their first clean sheet since October.

‎However, their defensive record remains concerning, with 38 goals conceded in 21 league games second only to Metz.

‎Nice defeated Lyon earlier this season, but that was at a different point in their campaign. This time, they arrive with key absences, including Hicham Boudaoui and potentially Morgan Sanson.

‎With Lyon’s dominant form and home advantage, another victory seems likely.

‎Predicted score: Lyon 2–0 Nice

‎Marseille vs Strasbourg

‎Marseille aims to avoid back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season after a humbling 5–0 loss to PSG. The defeat brought an abrupt end to Roberto De Zerbi’s time as manager, as both parties mutually agreed to part ways.

‎Despite the setback, Marseille remains strong at home, losing only once at the Velodrome this season.

‎Their attack has been one of Ligue 1’s most potent, scoring 46 goals, but the risk of consecutive scoreless matches looms as a rarity for the club. A victory over Strasbourg would mark their first double against them since 2021-22.

‎Strasbourg, meanwhile, is enduring a dip in form. After a strong start to 2026, they have now lost two straight matches under Gary O’Neil.

‎Still, most of their defeats have been narrow, and they remain just three points behind Lille in the battle for fifth. Historically, they have enjoyed positive results at the Velodrome, earning draws in four of their last five visits.

‎Team News

‎Both sides are dealing with injuries, with Marseille missing several players including Maxi Oyedele and Emanuel Emegha, while Strasbourg will be without Ismael Doukoure due to suspension.

‎Marseille typically responds well after setbacks, and the atmosphere at the Velodrome could provide the spark they need.

‎Predicted score: Marseille 2–1 Strasbourg