Before the Round – Ligue 1 Round 32 (16-17/04/2022)

04/13/2022 5230

The race for Ligue 1’s top three is heating up as only the top three in the league qualify for the Champions League. Second-place Marseille are on 59 points while seventh-place Lille are on 48 points with just seven matches to play.

Lille OSC - RC Lens

Lille and Lens have met twice this season already in all competitions. Lens picked up a Ligue 1 win and Coupe de France draw versus Lille in the two previous fixtures in 2021-22.

Les Dogues are seventh in the standings with 48 points. Lille went unbeaten in their last six Ligue 1 games. They took 12 points from the last 18 on offer in Ligue 1.

Lens are eighth in the division. They are just one point behind Lille in the Ligue 1 table. Lens are coming off of a surprise 3-0 win over Champions League qualification chasing Nice.

• In their last 8 consecutive matches of Ligue 1, there have been no losses for Lille OSC.
• RC Lens have achieved just 2 wins of their last 11 away Ligue 1 games.
• In their last 34 home games in Ligue 1, Lille OSC have been undefeated on 30 occasions.
• RC Lens are undefeated in 4 of their last 6 matches in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Draw @ 3.50

Saint-Etienne - Stade Brestois

Stade Brestois are unbeaten in five of their last six matches versus Saint-Etienne. Brest are 12th in Ligue 1 and are unbeaten in back-to-back games. Saint-Etienne are in the relegation playoff place. Les Verts are on a two-game losing streak in the league.

Saint-Etienne took five points from the last 18 points available. They were outscored 14-7 in the last six matches.

Brest picked up seven points from the last 18 points on offer. They were outscored 8-5. Brest are unbeaten in their last two Ligue 1 games.

• In their last 17 home games in Ligue 1, AS Saint-Étienne have recorded only 3 wins.
• Stade Brestois are on a successful run against AS Saint-Étienne, which consists of 4 wins in Ligue 1.
• AS Saint-Étienne have been conceding an average of 1.97 goals in their league matches.
• Stade Brestois have won just 2 of their previous 6 matches in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Stade Brestois @ 3.20

FC Metz - Clermont Foot

Metz and Clermont drew 2-2 in their previous meeting this season. Metz are currently at the bottom of the table but just points separate them from relegation-playoff place. Clermont are 17th and a mere one point ahead of the relegation-playoff position.

Clermont are the current bottom team in Ligue 1’s form table. They picked up a mere one point from the last 18 points available in the division. Clermont were outscored 19-5 in the last six matches.

Metz were only slightly better than Clermont across the last six games. They picked up two points from the last 18 available. Each of Metz’s last three games ended as defeats.

• There have been 3 straight losses in Ligue 1 for FC Metz.
• Clermont Foot's latest record consists of 5 straight losses in Ligue 1.
• FC Metz have won only 4 of their last 34 Ligue 1 matches.
• Clermont Foot have achieved just 1 win in their last 8 Ligue 1 games.
• Prediction: Clermont Foot @ 2.60

FC Nantes – Angers

Nantes have won their last two encounters with Angers in Ligue 1 ahead of Sunday’s home clash. The Canaries are 10th in the Ligue 1 standings and six points off of the top four. Angers’ terrible run of form recently came to an end. They sit 14th in the league six points ahead of the relegation-playoff spot.

Nantes picked up eight points from their last 18 points on offer. The Canaries’ last two matches finished without defeat to keep them in the hunt for a Europea League or Europa Conference League berth.

Angers took four points from the last 18 points on offer. Relegation is not impossible for the Black and White. Although their form has improved marginally of late, Angers need to pick up points. They scored a mere five goals across the last six matches.

• FC Nantes are undefeated in 6 of their last 7 home league games.
• Angers SCO have lost their last 4 away Ligue 1 matches in a row.
• FC Nantes are unbeaten in 5 of their 6 most recent home clashes against Angers SCO in Ligue 1.
• Angers SCO are on a poor run of just 3 wins in 25 away matches (Ligue 1).
• Prediction: FC Nantes @ 1.91