French League Matchday 1 Preview (August 15–17, 2025)

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French League Matchday 1 Preview (August 15–17, 2025) – 15.-17.8. 2025

Rennes – Marseille (15.08.2025, 20:45)

Tip: Marseille have better form and a stronger squad

The opening match of the new season at Roazhon Park promises a clash between two teams with contrasting previous seasons and ambitions. After years of stable results, Rennes slipped into the lower half of the table, and although the arrival of Habib Beye brought some revival, finishing twelfth was far below expectations. The summer preparation did not bring a convincing series of results, and there is also a question mark over the debut of key summer signing Igor Paixao, who has yet to play. Rennes' defence could also be weakened by the absence of centre-back Lilian Brassier, while new acquisition Valentin Rongier will experience a spicy debut against his former club. Marseille, on the other hand, under Roberto De Zerbi, recorded an impressive rise, secured second place and returned to the Champions League, with Mason Greenwood sharing the top scorer title with 17 goals. The arrival of experienced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and attack-minded Timothy Weah only reinforces the impression that OM will want to show their strength from the first round and continue their run of five consecutive wins in opening league matches.

Lens – Lyon (16.08.2025, 17:00)

Tip: Lens to take advantage of home field

The clash at Stade Bollaert-Delelis will offer an emotional return for coach Pierre Sage to the ground where he will face his former club. Lens enters the season after finishing eighth and with a newly rebuilt defence – Kevin Danso and Facundo Medina are gone, but returning forward Florian Thauvin could appear in attack, still capable of deciding big matches. The summer preparation went well for Sang et Or, including a valuable win over Leipzig, boosting the team's confidence. Lyon went through a turbulent year – from the threat of relegation to finishing sixth – and now must cope without injured Ernest Nuamah and Nemanja Matic, who is suspended for two games. New signing Tyler Morton could get an immediate opportunity in central midfield, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles will offer pace on the right wing. The history of the last five league games in Lens favours the home side, who have not allowed Lyon to win here since their return to Ligue 1 in 2020.

Monaco – Le Havre (16.08.2025, 19:00)

Tip: Monaco to confirm favourite status

Monaco enters the season aiming to stay among the elite top three and perhaps make life difficult for PSG and Marseille. Adi Hütter has a strong squad, strengthened by experienced goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and talented Ansu Fati, while Paul Pogba’s return after a two-year absence is another storyline drawing attention. The hosts can rely on an eight-match league unbeaten run at Stade Louis II, and although the preparation was long and intense, the last defeat to Inter exposed some weaknesses. Le Havre, after a dramatic last-minute survival, are confident, but five friendly matches without a win do not bode well for the start. Coach Didier Digard will have to watch the match from the stands due to a ban, and his team will rely on new attacking acquisition Ally Samatta. Historically, Le Havre has been able to trouble Monaco, but this time they face an opponent with significantly higher quality and motivation to confirm their role as favourites.

Nice – Toulouse (16.08.2025, 21:05)

Tip: Even match, slight advantage Nice

Nice, under Franck Haise, has set the goal of fighting for the top four again, but the summer departures of key players, including Jean-Clair Todibo, have significantly hit the squad. New arrivals Yehvann Diouf and Isak Jansson have not impressed yet, and a double defeat to Benfica in the Champions League qualifiers revealed that the team needs to find form quickly. A long injury list complicates matters – the participation of captain Dante and creative Hicham Boudaoui is uncertain. Toulouse enters the season encouraged by last year’s tenth place and a run of four unbeaten matches at the start of the league, although their preparation was mixed and included heavy defeats to Stuttgart and Leipzig. Coach Carles Martinez Novell will rely on a compact defence and his team’s ability to pick up points away to favourites, something they have done twice in their last three attempts in Nice. The match could be tight, but much will depend on the health of the home side’s key players.

Brest – Lille (17.08.2025, 15:00)

Tip: Even match, Brest home advantage

After finishing ninth last season, Brest believe they can once again compete for European spots, and the results from their summer preparation support this – four wins and one draw without defeat. Coach Eric Roy also has new striker Ludovic Ajorque at his disposal, whose presence in attack can bring a welcome physical edge. Lille narrowly missed out on the Champions League and want to start the new season with a win, relying on the experience of Olivier Giroud, who scored three goals in two preparation matches. The visitors, however, are dealing with defensive absences – Tiago Santos and Aissa Mandi are doubtful, Thomas Meunier is out. Brest can be difficult to beat at home, as shown by the fact that Lille have not won here since 2013. This match could be a clash between Giroud’s efficiency and the resilience of the home defence.

Angers – Paris FC (17.08.2025, 17:15)

Tip: Even match, Paris FC can take points

After securing survival last season, Angers remain one of the relegation candidates, but summer results point to improvement, especially in defence, where the team did not concede a single goal in preparation. Coach Alexandre Dujeux will rely on compact organisation and the experience of new goalkeeper Hervé Koffi. Paris FC return to the top flight after 46 years, with a squad strengthened by experienced Otavio from Porto and pacey Moses Simon, which commands respect. PFC’s defence was the best in Ligue 2, and if they transfer that stability to Ligue 1, they can be an unpleasant opponent for anyone. The history of meetings between the two sides shows frequent draws, but the visitors will want to confirm from the start that they do not intend to just defend in the top league. The key question will be whether Angers can break through the opponent’s solid block and make use of home advantage.

Auxerre – Lorient (17.08.2025, 17:15)

Tip: Lorient have more weapons

Auxerre start the season knowing they must quickly integrate new attacking signings Josué Casimir and Ibrahim Osman, who bring speed but have yet to develop an understanding with the rest of the team. Coach Christophe Pélissier openly admits that the attacking phase needs greater cohesion and commitment to make up for the loss of key players Perrin and Traoré. The defence will be weakened by the absence of Tellie Siwe and suspended Sinaly Diomandé, which is not ideal against an offensively strong Lorient. The visitors dominated Ligue 2 last season with the best attack and defence, and arrive in Ligue 1 with a squad that already matched top-flight standards last year. Lorient’s athletic and physically dominant style could cause Auxerre serious problems. This clash between the last two Ligue 2 winners may show who has the better-prepared team for a mid-table battle.

Metz – Strasbourg (17.08.2025, 17:15)

Tip: Strasbourg have the edge

After returning to the top flight, Metz must quickly recover from a humiliating 0–8 defeat to Hoffenheim in their final warm-up, which exposed weaknesses in organisation and mental resilience. Coach Stéphane Le Mignan knows his team faces a tough start, and the absence of key players, including captain Gauthier Hein and winger Malick Mbaye, does not make things easier. Strasbourg, on the other hand, arrive with an ambitious squad, strengthened by talented youngsters and backed by strong club infrastructure. Coach Patrick Vieira has a deep squad, although some absences – Omobamidele, Sow and Coulibaly – will limit defensive options. Metz will rely on fighting spirit and home support, but the quality and depth of the visitors’ squad should be decisive. If Strasbourg can maintain focus and tempo, they could take all three points from this challenging derby.

Nantes – Paris Saint-Germain (17.08.2025, 20:45)

Tip: PSG clear favourites

Nantes enter the season under new coach Luis Castro, aiming to avoid another year of relegation struggle. Against them stands the defending champion and winner of four trophies last season, PSG, who, despite a short preparation, showed their strength in the Super Cup against Tottenham. Luis Enrique has attacking stars like Kylian Mbappé, as well as new faces – goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier and creative midfielder Lee Kang-in. Nantes will be without their top scorer Matthis Abline, and new signing Mayckel Lahdo is injured, weakening their attacking options. PSG have long dominated at Nantes’ ground, scoring here in every game since 2006, while the hosts have not won an opening league match for eight years. Although last season brought two draws, this time the difference in quality should be evident from the first minutes.

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