With just a few months left in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign, we are on the brink of matchday 25. As the race for the title, European spots, and survival intensify, every point becomes crucial, and teams will look to make a strong push towards their destination. The top teams will aim to maintain or extend their momentum, where the battle for Champions League qualification remains fierce. On the other end of the table, the bottom teams struggle to climb out of the relegation zone. This weekend’s fixtures promise high-intensity clashes, including key matchups that could determine the season. Will we see some unexpected upsets, or will the title contenders hold their ground? The only certainty is the unpredictability of Matchday 25 in Ligue 1!
On matchday 24 of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season, the top teams continued to dominate. While other teams faced consecutive defeats, the entire round was primarily characterized by defensive play. In this round, Reims suffered their fourth straight loss in the Ligue 1 campaign, falling to Monaco with a score of 0-3. Ultimately, this marked their fourth consecutive match without scoring a single point, underscoring their defensive vulnerabilities. The second-to-last team, St. Etienne lost to third-place Nice by a margin of two points. Both teams scored in the first half of the game, resulting in a tie, but Mickael Nade’s own goal in the second half provided Nice with a crucial point to win the match.
Le Havre ended their two-game losing streak by winning matchday 24 against Lens with a score of 4-3, thanks to goals from Andre Ayew, Issa Soumare, Josue Casimir, and Ahmed Hassan. At the same time, PSG maintained their undefeated record by winning their previous match against Lille with a dominant score of 4-1. In the first half of the game, PSG demonstrated their balanced offense and defense, outscoring their opponent 4-0. Bradley Barcola, Marquinhos, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue each contributed a goal, giving the team an early advantage. PSG could not score in the second half, but their solid defense ensured the victory.
For the second consecutive time in their head-to-head history, Lyon defeated Brest by the same score of 2-1. Alexandre Lacazette scored two goals for Lyon, which won the game. Matchday 24 was another nightmare for Montpellier, which suffered its fifth consecutive defeat against Rennes by a score of 0-4. Again, this result added pressure on Montpellier, which needed seven more points to avoid the relegation zone. The 47th-minute goal from Emanuel Emegha saved Strasbourg from a defeat over Auxerre. With potent attack and solid defense, Toulouse won the round 24 by defeating Angers with a dominant score of 4-0. Meanwhile, Marseille bounced back from their prior defeat by winning matchday 24 with Nantes with a score of 2-0. Overall, the teams are pushing their boundaries to reach their final destination.
Toulouse vs. Monaco
On matchday 25 of 2024-25, Ligue 1, Toulouse will play Monaco at home on March 7, 2025, at Stadium Municipal (Toulouse).
Injured and Suspended Players
- Toulouse: Guillaume Restes has a thigh injury expected to heal by mid-March 2025, Joshua King is out with a muscle injury for a few weeks, Niklas Schmidt has a season-ending cruciate ligament injury, Rasmus Nicolaisen is recovering from an ankle injury and expected back in late March 2025, and Zakaria Aboukhlal also has a thigh injury with a mid-March 2025 return.
- Monaco: Denis Zakaria is suspended. Aleksandr Golovin will be sidelined for a few weeks with a groin injury. Folarin Balogun has a shoulder injury and should return by mid-March 2025. Jordan Teze will be out for a few weeks with a muscle injury. Soungoutou Magassa is recovering from a head injury and is expected to return in a few weeks.
Monaco currently sits in 4th place with 43 points, while Toulouse is in 8th place with 33 points. The recent performance of Monaco has been a mix of highs and lows, and they secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Remis on February 28, 2025. Still, before this match, they defeated Lille on February 22, 2025. With an aggregate score of 4-3, they lost in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs against Benfica. However, they showed an impressive performance on February 15, 2025, against Nantes by a dominant score of 7-1.
On the other hand, Toulouse’s form has been inconsistent, but they achieved a resounding 4-1 away win over LE Havre on February 23, 2025 but faced a 1-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. However, their prior game with Angers was impressive, showing their solid defensive side. Historically, Monaco has held the upper hand in this matchup. Monaco triumphed in their last encounter on December 7, 2024, achieving a 2-0 victory at home. In their past 95 meetings, Monaco has claimed 44 wins, while Toulouse has won 25 times, with 26 matches ending in draws. Given the current form, head-to-head statistics, and injury reports, Monaco possesses a slight advantage heading into this match.
Rennes vs. Paris Saint-Germain
The undefeated Paris Saint-Germain is all set to face off against Rennes in the forthcoming 2024-25 Ligue 1 battle of round 25 on March 8, 2025, at Roazhon Park (Rennes).
Injured and Suspended Players
- Rennes: Djaoui Cisse is suspended, Alidu Seidu has a season-ending cruciate ligament injury, and Andres Gomez is recovering from an ankle injury, with a return expected in late March 2025.
- Paris Saint-Germain: No players sidelined with injuries or facing suspensions, ensuring their entire squad is available.
The reigning champion, PSG, will find a way to maintain its dominance, while Rennes will strive to pull off an upset on their home turf. According to the latest Ligue 1 table, PSG leads with 19 wins and five draws. Meanwhile, Rennes sits in 11th place, with a record of nine wins, two draws, and thirteen losses. In recent form, Paris Saint-Germain is undefeated in its last ten matches, while Rennes has won four and lost six games. This season, PSG boasts the best offense and defense; offensively, they have scored 66 goals, averaging 2.8 goals per game, and defensively, they have conceded only 23 goals, with an average of 1.0 per game.
Meanwhile, Rennes scored 34 goals, averaging 1.4 per game, and defensively, they conceded 32 goals, averaging 1.3 per game. Their previous head-to-head meeting was in September 2024 at Parc des Princes (Paris), where PSG continued their dominance over Rennes by winning the game 3-1. In the 30th minute, Bradley Barcola scored to give PSG an early lead, and in the second half, they maintained that momentum to secure the victory. Considering the recent form of both teams, Paris Saint-Germain is highly favored in this match and is expected to defeat Rennes.
LOSC Lille vs. Montpellier
At Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Villeneuve d’Ascq), LOSC Lille will square off with Montpellier on March 8, 2025, in the highly anticipated round 25 of the 2024-25 Ligue 1.
Injured and Suspended Players
- LOSC Lille: Edon Zhegrova is dealing with a muscle injury and is expected to return in mid-March 2025. Samuel Umtiti has a knee injury and is expected to return in mid-March 2025. Tiago Santos suffered a cruciate ligament injury and is out for the season.
- Montpellier: Khalil Fayad is suspended. Becir Omeragic has a meniscus injury and is expected to return in late March 2025. Christopher Jullien is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and should return by mid-March 2025. Issiaga Sylla has a groin injury, with a mid-March 2025 return expected. Nikola Maksimovic is out for the season due to a hamstring injury.
Both teams head into this match with disappointing results from their previous rounds. LOSC Lille lost to the defending champions PSG by a score of 1-4, only finding the net in the 80th minute, with Jonathan David providing the assist. However, their opponent’s early dominance in the first half sealed Lille’s defeat. Meanwhile, Montpellier suffered their fifth consecutive loss against Rennes without scoring a single goal, finishing 0-4. This season, LOSC Lille has shown quite an impressive performance; they are sitting fifth in the Ligue 1 table with 41 points and have qualified for the Champions League qualifiers.
They need to secure three points in this game, and if Monaco draws or loses, they will have a strong chance to improve their position. In contrast, Montpellier’s season has been a complete nightmare. Due to their inconsistent performance, they are at the bottom of the table with only 15 points. With few games remaining in the campaign, they must make the most of every match to protect themselves from relegation. LOSC Lille has the upper hand, and they will likely win this game.
Marseille vs. Lens
Lens is making a road trip to Stade Vélodrome (Marseille) to face off against Lens on March 8, 2025, in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 encounter of matchday 25.
Injured and Suspended Players
- Marseille: Faris Moumbagna is recovering from a knee injury and is expected to return in mid-March 2025. Rubén Blanco also has a knee injury and is expected to return in mid-March 2025. Valentin Carboni suffered a cruciate ligament injury and is anticipated to be out until early June 2025.
- Lens: M’Bala Nzola, Angelo Fulgini, Facundo Medina, and Adrien Thomasson are all suspended. Denis Petric is dealing with a back injury and is expected to return in mid-March 2025. Jeremy Agbonifo has a hamstring injury, with a mid-March 2025 return expected. Jhoanner Chavez is recovering from an ankle injury and should return by mid-March 2025. Martin Satriano suffered a cruciate ligament injury and is anticipated to be out until early June 2025. Rémy Lascary also has a cruciate ligament injury and is out for the season.
Marseille enters this fixture with an impressive run of form, having secured 10 wins, two draws, and only three losses in their last 15 matches. They have been particularly dominant at home, remaining unbeaten in their last seven Ligue 1 home games. Their attacking prowess is evident, averaging 2.2 goals per game this season with 52 goals scored. However, their defense has shown some vulnerabilities, conceding an average of 1.2 goals per game. On the other hand, Lens has recently experienced mixed results, with six wins, one draw, and eight losses in their last 15 outings.
Their away form has been relatively stable, achieving three wins, one draw, and two losses in their previous six away matches. Offensively, they average 1.2 goals per game, totaling 29 goals this season, while defensively, they concede 1.2 on average. Considering Marseille’s strong home form and attacking capabilities, they enter this match as favorites. Their offensive depth, led by Greenwood, is expected to pose significant challenges to Lens’s defense. However, Lens has demonstrated resilience in away fixtures and possesses the tactical acumen to exploit any defensive lapses from Marseille.
Brest vs. Angers
The 2024-25 Ligue 1 clash between Brest and Angers is scheduled for March 9, 2025, at Stade Francis-Le Blé (Brest).
Injured and Suspended Players
- Brest: Bradley Locko has an Achilles tendon injury and is expected to return in late March 2025. Ibrahim Salah is dealing with a foot injury; a mid-March 2025 return is expected. Edimilson Fernandes is injured and should be back in late March 2025. Justin Bourgault has a groin injury; a late March 2025 return is expected. Mama Baldé is recovering from a calf injury and is expected to return in late March 2025. Romain Del Castillo has a knee injury and is expected to return by mid-March 2025. Romain Faivre also has a knee injury; a late March 2025 return is expected. Soumaila Coulibaly has a groin injury; a late March 2025 return is expected.
- Angers: Esteban Lepaul has a groin injury and is expected to return in mid-March 2025. Haris Belkebla and Jim Allevinah both have thigh injuries and are expected to be out for a few weeks. Sidiki Cherif is recovering from a thigh injury and should return by late March 2025.
Brest suffered its second straight defeat against Lyon, losing 2-1. The team had 34% ball possession, 15 goal attempts, and five shots on goal. Meanwhile, Angers lost to Toulouse 0-4. They had 46% ball possession, five goal attempts, and one shot on goal.
Brest has usually played better against Angers in the past. They have won 13 out of their 23 games against them. Angers has won 6 times, and four games have ended in a tie. On average, about 1.91 goals were scored in their matches.
Brest might have a slight advantage because they often win at home and have a better historical record. But Angers have been strong when playing away from home, so we can’t ignore that. Both teams have had some problems on defense. This means both teams might score in their next game. Overall, it’s an intriguing matchup, with both sides having strengths and weaknesses. Expect to see some goals.
Le Havre vs. St Etienne
The relegation zone teams, Le Havre and St. Etienne, are set to face off in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 matchday 25 on March 9, 2025, at Stade Océane in Le Havre.
Injured and Suspended Players
- Le Havre: Junior Mwanga is suspended. Andy Logbo has a shoulder injury and is expected to return in late March 2025. Arouna Sangante is dealing with a back injury, with a mid-March 2025 return expected. Daler Kuzyaev has an ankle injury and should be back by mid-March 2025. Yassine Kechta is injured and is expected to return in late March 2025.
- St Etienne: Dylan Batubinsika is suspended. Benjamin Old and Ibrahima Wadji are injured and expected to return in mid-March 2025. Pierre Ekwah has a calf injury and should be back by mid-March 2025.
Le Havre and St. Etienne are positioned back-to-back in the Ligue 1 table, with Le Havre in 16th place, boasting a record of six wins, two draws, and 16 losses, while St. Etienne trails Le Havre with five wins, four draws, and 15 losses. Despite several ups and downs, Le Havre’s last match was outstanding, securing a victory by defeating Lens with a score of 4-3. St. Etienne is struggling to secure a win, with their last ten matches ending in draws and losses in the Ligue 1 campaign.
The offense and defense of both teams have not been performing well, and their inconsistent performances raise questions about how they will improve their game in the upcoming matches. Every single point from this point on will be crucial for both teams to qualify for the next Ligue 1 season rather than face relegation. With their recent form, Le Havre will have a slight edge in winning this game.
Nantes vs. Strasbourg
On March 9, 2025, in the 2024-25 Ligue 1, Nantes will play Strasbourg at Stade de la Beaujoire (Nantes) on matchday 25.
Injured and Suspended Players
- Nantes: Nathan Zeze has a broken ankle and is expected to return in early April 2025. Tino Kadewere is dealing with a muscle injury and should return by mid-March 2025.
- Strasbourg: Abakar Sylla is suspended. Andrew Omobamidele and Dion Sahi both have Achilles tendon injuries and are expected to return in late March 2025. Thomas Delaine is dealing with a knee injury and should return by mid-March 2025.
Nantes is in 14th place and wants to move up in the league. They have been inconsistent, with five wins, nine draws, and ten losses, but they have shown some good moments. In contrast, Strasbourg is doing better in 7th place, with 10 wins, seven draws, and seven losses. Their strong defense is a big plus, giving up only 32 goals compared to Nantes’ 42.
Strasbourg has also had the upper hand in their recent matches, winning three out of the last five against Nantes. However, playing at home in La Beaujoire might help Nantes. Both teams often score goals, so they will likely find the net in this game. The match should be close, but Strasbourg looks stronger; still, Nantes is determined to do better, which could lead to an unexpected outcome. Overall, it should be an exciting and competitive game, with both teams wanting to earn essential points.
Reims vs. Auxerre
For matchday 25, Reims will face Auxerre on March 9, 2025, at Stade Auguste-Delaune (Reims) in an exciting 2024-25 Ligue 1 showdown.
Injured and Suspended Players
- Reims: Cedric Kipre is suspended. Gabriel Moscardo and Nhoa Sangui have muscle injuries and are expected to be out for a few weeks. Mohamed Daramy is recovering from a knee injury and should return by mid-March 2025. Reda Khadra has a cruciate ligament injury and is expected to return in late May 2025. Jordan Pefok has a hamstring injury and should return by mid-March 2025. Yaya Fofana has an ankle injury and is expected to return in late April 2025.
- Auxerre: Lasso Coulibaly is dealing with a cruciate ligament injury and is expected to return in early May 2025.
Reims is in 15th place with 22 points, and Auxerre is in 12th place with 28 points. Both teams want to improve and earn more points. Reims has had a tough time at home this season, losing half of its games at its stadium, Stade Auguste-Delaune II. On the other hand, Auxerre has struggled away from home, losing four out of its last six away games. This shows that both teams have weaknesses in these situations.
Traditionally, Reims has done well against Auxerre, winning 67% of their last six matches. This history might give Reims some confidence before the game. Both teams have let in goals recently, so their defenses are not strong. This could lead to a game with many chances for both teams to score. With Reims playing at home and succeeding in past games against Auxerre, they might have a slight advantage. However, Auxerre is eager to climb the standings, which could make the match very competitive.
Nice vs. Lyon
Matchday 25 will conclude with the battle between Nice and Lyon on March 9, 2025, at Allianz Riviera (Nice) in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 encounter.
Injured and Suspended Players
- Nice: Morgan Sanson is dealing with an ankle injury and is expected to return in mid-March 2025. Tanguy Ndombélé has a groin injury and should be out for a few weeks. Terem Moffi suffered a cruciate ligament injury and is anticipated to return in early April 2025.
- Lyon: Abner is injured and is expected to return in mid-March 2025.
Nice, currently third with 46 points, will face sixth-placed Lyon, which has 39 points. Both teams aim to secure a victory to boost their European competition aspirations for the upcoming season. Nice has shown strong home form, winning five of their last six matches at the Allianz Riviera. Gaëtan Laborde has been key, scoring six and assisting twice in Nice’s last 12 goals, adding a crucial attacking threat. Despite financial challenges and managerial changes this season, Lyon remains a formidable opponent.
Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, appointed on January 31, 2025, aims to stabilize the team’s performance. However, Lyon’s provisional demotion to Ligue 2 due to financial mismanagement could impact player morale and performance. The match is expected to be closely contested. Given Nice’s home advantage and Lyon’s off-field issues, Nice may have a slight edge.
