Ligue 1 Preview: Marseille Battles Monaco As Lens Aim To Maintain Top Spot

‎Matchday 16 of Ligue 1 arrives with plenty at stake across the table.

‎From Marseille’s battle to stay in the top three, to Lens’ fight to retain first place, and PSG’s push to keep pace at the top, this weekend promises drama, pressure, and defining moments for clubs with very different ambitions.

‎Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the standout fixtures.

‎Marseille vs Monaco: 

‎The final fixture of the Ligue 1 weekend brings the spotlight to Stade Vélodrome, where Marseille look to protect their top-three standing when they welcome Monaco on Sunday.

‎Both clubs enter the clash wounded after suffering 1–0 defeats on matchday 15. OM slipped down to third after losing at Lille, while Monaco dropped to seventh following a setback at Brest.

‎Marseille’s Recent Dip and Home Strength

‎Marseille’s recent domestic form has been self-inflicted, with unnecessary dropped points in consecutive league outings just as first place was within reach. Instead of leading the table, they are now five points adrift of Lens and could go winless in three straight games for the first time since March.

‎But at the Vélodrome, the story is very different.

‎Under Roberto De Zerbi, OM have been immaculate at home this season, remaining unbeaten with five wins from seven matches.

‎Their attacking output in front of their fans has been spectacular twenty-three goals scored at home, including four occasions where they netted three or more.

‎Even when they concede first, Marseille typically find a way back. They have recovered points four times this season after conceding the opener, twice at home, showing a resilience that could prove vital in this fixture.

‎OM also takes confidence from their recent record against Monaco at the Vélodrome, where they are unbeaten in the previous three encounters and claimed a 2–1 comeback victory in last season’s equivalent fixture.

‎Monaco’s Inconsistent Winter and Defensive Struggles Away

‎Monaco’s winter period has been riddled with inconsistency. They have not claimed back-to-back league victories since October, though they did manage a morale-boosting 1–0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League during the week.

‎Their away form has deteriorated sharply. The Principality side has gone three away games without a win in all competitions, including back-to-back Ligue 1 defeats.

‎Even more concerning is their defensive record Monaco has conceded at least one goal in eleven successive away league matches dating back to last season.

‎Their only clean sheet away from Stade Louis II came in a Champions League win over Bodo/Glimt.

‎Despite the struggles, Monaco remains just one point from the European spots heading into matchday 16. They have also taken points in four of their last five league meetings with Marseille, although their last victory at the Vélodrome came in 2022.

‎Team News and Predicted Lineups

‎Marseille faces doubts over Ruben Blanco, Amine Gouiri, Facundo Medina, and Hamed Traoré, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to feature one more time before heading to AFCON.

‎Monaco could be without Eric Dier, Ansu Fati, and Christian Mawissa, while Jordan Teze is suspended. Denis Zakaria and Thilo Kehrer return from bans.

‎Predicted Marseille XI:

‎Rulli; Pavard, Balerdi, Aguerd; Weah, Nadir, Vermeeren, Palmieri; Greenwood, Paixao; Aubameyang.

‎Predicted Monaco XI:

‎Hradecky; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Minamino, Golovin; Balogun.

‎Prediction: Marseille 2–2 Monaco

‎These two tend to produce high-drama matches, and with both showing defensive vulnerabilities and flashes of attacking brilliance, another pulsating contest seems likely.

‎Their inconsistency makes it difficult to pick a winner hence a draw feels logical.

‎Lens vs Nice: 

‎Lens will aim to build on last weekend’s late heroics and hold on to the top spot when they welcome a struggling Nice side to Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

‎Lens’ Flying Form and Home Fortress

‎Pierre Sage’s first season in charge has been a revelation. Lens arrive on a five-match winning streak, having suffered just one defeat across their last eleven league fixtures.

‎A win this weekend would mark seven straight Ligue 1 victories something they haven’t managed since the 2022–23 season.

‎Their home form is even more impressive. Lens has won six consecutive league matches at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis and could stretch that to seven for the first time since early 2023.

‎They have conceded only four goals at home this campaign and boast two straight clean sheets.

‎Against bottom-half teams, Lens have been perfect, defeating Lorient and Paris FC already this season.

‎Nice’s Nightmare Run Continues

‎In contrast, Nice’s season has collapsed. Franck Haise’s men have lost eight straight matches in all competitions and find themselves stuck in 12th.

‎Scoring has been a major issue they have failed to score in three of their last four matches and have not netted more than once in any of their last eight outings.

‎Their away record is equally bleak four straight losses with a combined 9–2 scoreline.

‎Despite this, Nice have historically performed well against Lens, winning four of the last five meetings and staying unbeaten in the previous six.

‎Team News and Predicted Lineups

‎Lens remains without Jonathan Gradit, while Jhoanner Chavez is questionable. Thomasson and Guilavogui return from suspension.

‎Nice will miss Bombito, Abdelmonem, Ndayishimiye, Louchet, and Mendy. Moffi and Boga remain doubtful.

‎Predicted Lens XI:

‎Risser; Ganiou, Baidoo, Sarr; Aguilar, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Said; Edouard.

‎Predicted Nice XI:

‎Diouf; Oppong, Bah, Bard; Clauss, Boudaoui, Sanson, Diop, Abdi; Carlos, Cho.

‎Prediction: Lens 1–0 Nice

‎Lenses are not always dominant, but they consistently find ways to win. Against a Nice side in complete disarray, one goal may be enough to secure all three points.

‎Metz vs Paris Saint-Germain: 

‎At opposite ends of the Ligue 1 spectrum, bottom-placed Metz host title-chasing PSG in a match that could heavily influence both ends of the table.

‎Metz Slides Back Into the Basement

‎Just weeks ago, Metz appeared revived after a run of three victories before the international break.

‎Since returning, however, they have suffered three consecutive losses and failed to build on their earlier momentum.

‎Another defeat this weekend would mark their worst losing streak since the end of the 2023–24 season.

‎Their attack has stuttered, scoring once or fewer in five home matches and failing to score in four of them. Against top-four teams, Metz have conceded nine goals already this season.

‎PSG Look to Bounce Back From Rennes Hammering

‎PSG’s title chase is far from straightforward this season. They sit a point behind Lens with fewer points than at the same stage last year and could record a third league defeat for the first time since 2022–23.

‎However, they have responded well since losing to Monaco, going two matches unbeaten with no goals conceded.

‎Away from home, the challenge has been greater. PSG have failed to score in their last two away outings and dropped points in three of their last four on the road.

‎Traditionally, however, Metz offers little resistance. PSG have won the last 15 meetings between the sides, including seven straight victories.

‎Team News and Predicted Lineups

‎Metz remains without Pape Sy, while Mboula and Mangondo face fitness tests.

‎PSG misses Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Lucas Beraldo, Lucas Chevalier, and Ousmane Dembélé.

‎Predicted Metz XI:

‎Fischer; Colin, Gbamin, Sane, F. Toure; Traore, Deminguet; Sabaly, Hein, Tsitaishvili; Diallo.

‎Predicted PSG XI:

‎Safonov; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Hernandez; Mayulu, Vitinha, Neves, Kang-in, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia.

‎Prediction: Metz 0–4 PSG

‎Metz tend to collapse once they concede, and PSG, stung from their Rennes humiliation, will be relentless in their pursuit of keeping pace with Lens.

‎A commanding PSG victory feels almost inevitable.