Lille vs. Monaco (Saturday, 4.00pm)
© Imago
On the matchday where Paris Saint-Germain will face Lyon, the clash at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy will rival that for the game of the weekend, when top-four hopefuls Lille and Monaco go head-to-head.
A defeat for the hosts could see them fall five points off the Champions League places despite spending most of the season in the top four, but a win would momentarily put them third.
We say: Lille 1-1 Monaco
Lille are simply not winning enough games, and that has resulted in them dropping out of the top four, but they could do those hopes the world of good by claiming victory here.
Monaco will be tough opponents though, and despite having a below-par away record, Hutter's side will make this competitive, in a game that is as tough to call as the race for the top four.
> Ligue 1 preview: Lille vs Monaco
St Etienne vs. Angers (Saturday, 6.00pm)
© Imago
Relegation-threatened Saint-Etienne welcome Angers to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in a must-win clash in Ligue 1 on Saturday night.
Angers look to be safe in mid-table on their return to the top flight, but Les Verts are in grave danger of slipping back down to Ligue 2, starting another weekend in the relegation places.
We say: Saint-Etienne 1-0 Angers
Saint-Etienne desperately need a win as they begin a run of four promising fixtures on paper, which includes trips to the bottom two, and they have been stronger at home, winning 16 of their 18 points at the Guichard.
With Angers all but safe and playing in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France, it would not be a surprise to see some having one eye on that game in midweek, and that could see them slip up in the league here, like how they did against Le Havre recently.
> Ligue 1 preview: St Etienne vs Angers
Auxerre vs. Marseille (Saturday, 8.05pm)
© Imago
The Saturday night action from Ligue 1 this weekend comes from the Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps, where Auxerre will host high-flying Marseille.
This fixture will pit one of Ligue 1 strongest home sides against one of the best away sides, with Auxerre's form on home soil the only thing keeping them out of relegation trouble at present.
We say: Auxerre 1-3 Marseille
Marseille have swept aside most challengers in recent months, moving clear in second place as they look on course to return to the Champions League, and they will be favourites against an Auxerre side that are winless in 10.
The hosts have not lost here since a 3-0 defeat to Monaco in September, but few opponents will offer as tough a challenge as Marseille, and their poor recent run may continue here.
