Ligue 1 Preview: Lyon Chase Sixth Straight Win As PSG Seek Redemption In High-Stakes Clash With Lille

‎As Ligue 1 moves into a decisive stage of the 2025–26 season, this weekend delivers major storylines across the entire table.

‎There is intense title pressure at the top, fierce competition for European spots, and growing desperation in the relegation fight.

‎Lyon’s resurgence and Brest’s mid-season revival add further intrigue to the round. With Nantes battling for survival and PSG aiming to respond after recent setbacks, here is your sharp, four-sentence preview of the key matches.

‎Lyon Aim for a Sixth Straight Victory as In-Form Brest

‎Lyon returns to action on Sunday night seeking a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions continuing a remarkable surge since the winter break.

‎Paulo Fonseca’s side have climbed to fifth, two points from the Champions League places, and are thriving both home and away.

‎Their latest triumph came in the Coupe de France, where Real Madrid loanee Endrick scored his first goal in France to seal a 2-1 win at Lille. Backed by one of the strongest home records in Ligue 1, six victories from eight, Les Gones are confident of extending their momentum.

‎A major factor in Lyon’s surge is Pavel Sulc, the Czech playmaker who has transitioned seamlessly into French football, delivering 10 goal contributions in 16 league matches.

‎Brest, meanwhile, enters the fixture in improved form after a turbulent start. Eric Roy’s men sit 11th and have rediscovered their competitive edge, winning four of their last five league games.

‎Their 2-0 victory over Auxerre was powered by veteran forward Ludovic Ajorque, though his future remains uncertain amid interest from Paris FC.

‎However, history offers little comfort for Les Pirates: the away team has failed to win in the last six meetings with Lyon.

‎Team News

‎Lyon remains without Moussa Niakhate (AFCON), Corentin Tolisso (suspension), Ernest Nuamah (knee), and Malick Fofana (ankle).

‎Brest is missing Mama Balde (shin) and Kenny Lala (knee).

‎Prediction: Lyon 2–0 Brest

‎Lyon’s balance, intensity, and home record should be too much for Brest, who rarely travel well.

‎High-Pressure Relegation Clash as Nantes Welcome Paris FC

‎At Stade de la Beaujoire, two sides in deep trouble battle for crucial survival points. Nantes sit 16th and are enduring the worst home record in Ligue 1, having failed to win at home since August.

‎Their recent Coupe de France exit to Nice only deepened concerns.

‎Yet there is hope, a stunning 2-0 win at Marseille to start 2026 showed what this squad can produce when everything clicks.

‎Paris FC, meanwhile, have delivered one of the shocks of the French season knocking PSG out of the Coupe de France with a disciplined, resilient performance and a lone strike from Jonathan Ikone.

‎But their Ligue 1 form paints a different picture, winless in six, two points above Nantes, and struggling for goals.

‎Team News

‎Nantes could welcome back Junior Mwanga and may start Remy Cabella after his heroics at Marseille.

‎Paris FC are missing Willem Geubbels (groin), Alimami Glory (thigh doubt), and Pierre Lees-Melou (shin).

‎Prediction: Nantes 1–2 Paris FC

‎Nantes’ terrible home record is difficult to ignore. Paris FC, riding the emotional high of their PSG upset, is well-placed to take advantage.

‎Leaders Lens Host Struggling Auxerre

‎The Lens continues to look every bit like a title contender. Pierre Sage’s men are top of the table, a point above PSG, and have won nine straight matches across all competitions.

‎Their home form is outstanding, seven consecutive Ligue 1 wins and only four goals conceded at Stade Bollaert-Delelis all season.

‎Auxerre arrives in full crisis mode. Winless away from home, in the relegation zone, and the lowest-scoring team in the league, they have collected just one victory in 13 matches across all competitions.

‎Surprisingly, they did win 4–0 in this fixture last season, but repeating that seems almost impossible given the current trajectory of both clubs.

‎Team News

‎Lens may be without Jonathan Gradit, Jhoanner Chavez, Ruben Aguilar, and Odsonne Edouard.

‎Auxerre misses Nathan Buayi-Kiala (cruciate), Gideon Mensah (suspension), and several others due to knocks or illness.

‎Prediction: Lens 1–0 Auxerre

‎Lens’s defensive structure should carry them again. Auxerre’s scoring issues make an upset highly unlikely.

‎Angers and Marseille Seek First League Wins of 202

‎At Stade Raymond Kopa, Angers and Marseille both look to shake off early-year disappointments.

‎Angers have dropped their first two matches of 2026, but their home performances remain relatively strong, with solid defensive numbers and competitive efforts against top clubs.

‎Marseille, once serious title contenders, have drifted slightly off the pace. Weak Ligue 1 form has been offset by explosive Coupe de France displays 15 goals in two matches. Their attack is elite, but consistency remains a concern.

‎Team News

‎Angers are missing Himad Abdelli and Yassin Belkhdim (suspension).

‎Marseille is without Ruben Blanco (knee), Bilal Nadir (suspension), and Nayef Aguerd (AFCON).

‎Prediction: Angers 1–2 Marseille

‎Angers keep things close, but Marseille’s firepower should ultimately break them down.

‎PSG Look to Bounce Back in High-Stakes Test Against Lille

‎Paris Saint-Germain’s Coupe de France collapse against Paris FC sent shockwaves across the country. A victory over Lille is now essential not only to keep pressure on Lens but to steady the atmosphere around the champions.

‎PSG remain formidable at the Parc des Princes, with four straight home league wins and six clean sheets in eight matches.

‎Lille, however, has been unpredictable. After entering 2026 in excellent form, they have suffered back-to-back defeats.

‎Still, their away record offers hope that they have won their last two Ligue 1 road games and have competed well against PSG in recent seasons.

‎Team News

‎PSG are without Matvey Safonov (hand), and Achraf Hakimi remains on AFCON duty.

‎Lille misses Ethan Mbappe Lottin, Ousmane Toure, and two suspended players (Romain Perraud and Alexsandro).

‎Prediction: PSG 3–1 Lille

‎PSG rarely crumbles twice in a row. Expect a strong response led by their attacking stars.