Ligue 1 2025-26: Past Contenders and Upcoming Hurdles

After a one-week break, Ligue 1 bounces back with a lot of fun, excitement, and wonders in the football world. Initially, Lens secured a 3-0 win over Toulouse in the Ligue 1 competition. For this reason, Wesley Said (57′), Adrien Thomasson (85′), and Ismaelo Ganiou (90+5′) scored for Lens.

Additionally, Lyon defeated Monaco 3-1 in the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season. Pavel Sulc (38′, 57′) and Abner Vinicius (79′) scored for the Lyon side. Monaco responded with a goal by Mamadou Coulibaly (45+4′), and he also received a red card in the 70th minute. Furthermore, Nice shared points with Strasbourg in the Ligue 1 2025-26 season. Rennes is unbeaten 2-0 against LOSC as past rivals. Check out all the game details with the latest information now.

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Previous Foes

Marseille suffered a 0-2 loss against Nantes in the Ligue 1 2025-26 season. In that game, Fabien Centonze (31′) and Remy Cabella (88′) scored for the Nantes side. On the other hand, Arthur Vermeeren (26′) and Bilal Nadir (56′) both received a red card for the Marseille team. However, Brest stunned Auxerre with a 2-0 win, where Ludovic Ajorque (33′) and Joris Chotard (79′) scored for Brest. Lorient shared goals with Metz in the Ligue 1 2025-26 season.

In addition, Le Havre secured a 2-1 win over Angers, where Louis Mouton (55′) scored for the Angers side. Kenny Quetant (21′) and Noam Obougou (81′) scored for the Le Havre side. Following that, PSG earned a close 2-1 win against Paris FC, where Willem Geubbels (51′) scored for Paris FC. At the same time, Desire Doue (45′) and Ousmane Dembele (53′) scored for the PSG team. Explore more about football appraisals.

Forthcoming Locks

PSG vs LOSC

PSG will face LOSC on January 16, 2026, at Parc des Princes in Paris. For all Ligue 1 followers to view a matchday 18 and in-depth information brought up-to-date.

Standings

• Paris Saint-Germain F.C.—2nd position with 39 points.
• LOSC Lille—4th position with 32 points.

Previous Rivalry

PSG had a tough time in their tie with Marseille in the Trophée des Champions. There, Ousmane Dembele (13′) and Goncalo Ramos (90+5′) scored for the PSG side. On the other end, Mason Greenwood (76′) and Willian Pacho (87′) scored for Marseille. PSG scored 14 shots and five shots on target. Their average possession is through low passes with higher-level pass accuracy.

Meanwhile, Marseille earned 14 shots and six shots on target. Their down possession is through base passes with top pass accuracy. In PSG, he was selected for the UEFA Champions League group stage and also played in Ligue 1. Furthermore, they played 17 matches in Ligue 1 this season, winning 12, drawing 3, and losing 2.

In the French Cup, LOSC was defeated 1-2 by Lyon on January 12, 2026, in the round of 32. There, Afonso Moreira (1′) and Endrick (42′) scored for the Lyon side. On the other end, Nathan Ngoy scored in the 28th minute for the LOSC team. In fact, LOSC recorded seven shots and one shot on target. Their moderate possession through empty passes in past experiences.

Lyon had 12 shots and six shots on target. Their possession is very low, with zero passes. LOSC played 17 matches in Ligue 1, winning 10, drawing 2, and losing 5. Meanwhile, LOSC Lille has earned four straight wins and suffered just one loss in their last five recent Ligue 1 matches. Thus, PSG will undoubtedly win.

Lens vs Auxerre

At Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, France, Lens and Auxerre will meet on January 17, 2026. They are meeting up for matchday 18 in the Ligue 1 2025-26 season.

Standings

• RC Lens—1st position with 40 points.
• AJ Auxerre—17th position with 12 points.

Previous Rivalry

RC Lens dominated Sochaux 3-0 in the French Cup round of 32 on January 11, 2026. For this reason, Odsonne Edouard (22′), Matthieu Udol (87′), and Abdallah Sima (89′) scored for the Lens side. In essence, Lens attained 11 shots and four shots on target. Their low passes with fewer fouls performed in the French Cup. On the other end, Sochaux secured two shots and one shot on target. Their zero passes and seven fouls indicate a lacklustre performance.

This time, Lens is in the crown position, having completed 17 games in the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season. At the same time, they have 13 wins, one draw, and three losses, with a strong record across many leagues. In their last five matches, they had about five consecutive shocking wins in the Ligue 1 standings.

Correspondingly, Monaco stunned Auxerre with a 2-1 win in the French Cup. For this purpose, Assane Diousse El Hadji (29′) scored for the Auxerre team. On the other end, Mika Biereth (8′, 74′) scored for the Monaco side. Auxerre scored 15 shots and seven shots on target. Their down approach resulted in 11 fouls, while Monaco drew 13. They took 17 shots and recorded nine shots on target.

Auxerre is in the relegation zone after faint performances in the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season. At least this team will enhance their presentations in the upcoming games. Auxerre secured one win, two losses, and two draws in their last five games. Hence, Lens will have a home advantage to hold on to a triumph.

Angers vs Marseille

On January 17, 2026, Angers will face Marseille at Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers, France. Both teams are playing in matchday 18 of the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season.

Standings

• Angers SCO—10th position with 22 points.
• Olympique de Marseille—3rd position with 32 points.

Previous Rivalry

In the French Cup, Angers drew 1-1 with Toulouse in the round of 32. Likewise, Angers notched five shots and one shot on target. Their faint passes with 12 fouls indicate poor performance. Similarly, Toulouse took 10 shots and four on target. They had zero passes with 17 fouls in the French Cup.

Angers scored 17 matches completed with six victories, four draws, and seven losses in the Ligue 1 games. They have three wins and two losses in their last five games. Furthermore, Angers SCO will improve their performance with an impact on their standings.

Comparatively, Marseille defeated Monaco 1-0 in the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season. Meanwhile, Mason Greenwood scored in the 82nd minute for the Marseille team. They scored 18 shots and five shots on target. Their stable possession through down passes with higher pass accuracy. On the other end, Monaco scored 12 shots and six shots on target. Their low possession through down passes with higher-level pass accuracy.

Marseille is entering the UEFA Champions League and also the Ligue 1 this season. They have played 17 matches, with 10 wins, two draws, and five losses in the Ligue 1 table. In their last five games, Marseille has won two, lost two, and drawn one. Therefore, Marseille will, beyond doubt, obtain a victory.

Strasbourg vs Metz

In matchday 18 of the 2025-26 Ligue 1, Strasbourg will clash with Metz. They are meeting on January 18, 2026, at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg.

Standings

• RC Strasbourg Alsace—7th position with 24 points.
• FC Metz—18th position with 12 points.

Previous Rivalry

Strasbourg is unbeaten 6-0 win against Avranches in the French Cup for the round of 32 game. Joaquin Panichelli (14′), Julio Enciso (22′, 89′), Diego Moreira (39′), Martial Godo (57′), and Sebastian Nanasi (67′) scored for Strasbourg. Furthermore, Strasbourg scored 15 shots and ten shots on target. They had empty passes with 12 fouls in the French Cup performances. On the other hand, Avranches secured four shots and zero shots on target. Strasbourg just missed the Europa Conference League qualifiers and is only participating in Ligue 1 this season.

Conversely, Montpellier stunned Metz with a 4-0 win for the round of 32 in the French Cup. For this purpose, Teji Savanier (8′), Yanis Issoufou (21′), Enzo Tchato (46′), and Nicolas Pays (64′) scored for Montpellier. Further, Metz attained 13 shots and five shots on target. Their stable possession with base passes with four fouls in the Metz team. In their last five games, Metz has been winless, with four losses and one draw. So, Strasbourg will have a better chance of succeeding.

Rennes vs Le Havre

In Ligue 1 2025-26, Rennes and Le Havre will face off. Both teams are playing on January 18, 2026, at Roazhon Park, Rennes, France.

Standings

• Stade Rennais F.C.—6th position with 30 points.
• Le Havre AC—13th position with 18 points.

Previous Rivalry

Rennes was undefeated 3-1 with Chantilly US in the French Cup. For this reason, Quentin Merlin (70′), Musa Al-Taamari (71′), and Elias Legendre (78′) scored for the Rennes side. On the other end, Evens Joseph in the 42nd minute scored for Chantilly US. Sambou Yatabare (68′) received a red card. Their higher-level possession through passes with ten fouls. On the other end, Chantilly US attained four shots and two shots on target. In their recent five Ligue 1 games, Rennes scored four wins with one loss.

Le Havre was defeated 0-2 by Amiens SC in the French Cup. For this purpose, Ilyes Hamache (11′) and Kylian Kaiboue (30′) scored for Amiens SC. Furthermore, Le Havre secured 17 shots and three shots on target. Le Havre has played 17 matches, with 4 wins, six draws, and seven losses. Then Rennes will slightly have an edge.

Lyon vs Brest

Lyon will face Brest on January 18, 2026, at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu. They are meeting up for matchday 18 in the Ligue 1 2025-26 season.

Standings

• Olympique Lyonnais—5th position with 30 points.
• Stade Brestois 29—11th position with 22 points.

Previous Rivalry

In the French Cup, Lyon had an impressive 3-0 win over Saint-Cyr Collonges in the round of 64. For this reason, Abner Vinicius (52′) and Pavel Sulc (85′, 90′) scored for the Lyon side. Moreover, they attained 22 shots and nine shots on target. Their moderate possession through passes with three fouls. On the other hand, Saint-Cyr Collonges scored three shots and zero shots on target. Lyon played 17 matches with nine victories, three draws, and five losses in the Ligue 1 games.

Brest shared points 1-1 with Avranches for the round of 64 in the French Cup. At the same time, Remy Labeau Lascary (34′) and Julien Le Cardinal (21′) received a red card for the Brest side. On the other end, Nassim Sabihi (24′) scored for the Avranches team. Brest attained six shots and one shot on target. They played 17 Ligue 1 games, winning 6, drawing 4, and losing 7. Based on their performances, Lyon will have a greater chance of grabbing a steal in their upcoming games.