Ligue 1: Matchday 4 Analysis with KPI Metrics & Picks
Ligue 1: Matchday 4 Overview
The fourth matchday of Ligue 1 is set to be an exciting one for French football. There are nine matches that present a number of exciting matchups on the field. Rennes vs. Marseille and Strasbourg vs. Monaco are two matches between teams that haven’t lost so far. Paris FC welcomes Lyon in another interesting matchup. Lille, Lens, and PSG have a chance to alter their standings. Teams playing in the early matches with good form can easily secure their spot. This matchday gives us a few chances to evaluate their performance. The analysis will not only focus on reputation and results. Match statistics, performance metrics, and key performance indicators will assist in identifying the best sides.
Ligue 1: Matchday 4 Schedules
Rennes vs Marseille
Date: 11 September 2026 (Friday)
Time: 02:45 PM ET | 11:45 AM PT | 12:15 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Roazhon Park, Rennes
Strasbourg vs AS Monaco
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 11:15 AM ET | 08:15 AM PT | 08:45 PM IST
Venue: Stade de la Meinau Strasbourg
Le Havre AC vs Angers SCO
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 02:45 PM ET | 11:45 AM PT | 12:15 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Stade CMA CGM Océane, Le Havre
AJ Auxerre vs OGC Nice
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 02:45 PM ET | 11:45 AM PT | 12:15 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Stade Abbé Deschamps, Auxerre
FC Lorient vs Toulouse FC
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 02:45 PM ET | 11:45 AM PT | 12:15 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Stade du Moustoir, Lorient
Paris FC vs OL
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 02:45 PM ET | 11:45 AM PT | 12:15 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
LOSC Lille vs Troyes
Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 09:00 AM ET | 06:00 AM PT | 06:30 PM IST
Venue: Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq
Le Mans FC vs RC Lens
Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 11:15 AM ET | 08:15 AM PT | 08:45 PM IST
Venue: Stade Marie-Marvingt, Le Mans
Brest vs PSG
Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 02:45 PM ET | 11:45 AM PT | 12:15 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Stade Francis-Le Blé, Brest
Match Previews
Rennes vs Marseille
Date: 11 September 2026 (Friday)
Time: 02:45 PM ET | 11:45 AM PT | 12:15 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Roazhon Park, Rennes
Expected Ligue 1 Squad
Rennes
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Nicolas Lemaitre, Brice Samba, Kilian Belazzoug
Defenders
Firmin Thétiot, Charlie Cresswell, Gonçalo Oliveira, Bryan Reynolds, Mahamadou Nagida, Anthony Rouault, Quentin Merlin, Alidu Seidu, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal
Amine Gouiri, Neal Maupay, Igor Paixão, Timothy Weah, Faris Moumbagna, Tadjidine Mmadi, Keyliane Abdallah
Injury List
Rennes does not have any unavailable players.
Unavailable players for Marseille: Geoffrey Kondogbia (injury), Tochukwu Nnadi (injury).
KPI Comparison
KPI
Rennes
Marseille
KPI Advantage
League Points
7
3
Rennes
Average Goals
2.33
2.00
Rennes
Average Goals Conceded
1.67
1.67
Draw
Average Goal Differential
+0.70
+0.30
Rennes
Average Expected Goals (xG)
1.70
1.54
Rennes
Average Expected Goals Conceded (xGA)
2.20
1.56
Marseille
Expected Goal Differential
-0.50
-0.0
Marseille
Possession
52%
64%
Marseille
Save Percentage
62%
64%
Marseille
Clean Sheets
0
1
Marseille
Current Ligue 1 Form
D-W-W
W-L-L
Rennes
League Position
5th
10th
Rennes
Analysis
The choice goes to Rennes since they have accumulated 7 points in just three matches, whereas Marseille has accumulated just three points. Moreover, Rennes score more goals and have an excellent goal difference compared to their counterparts. Marseille seems very good in possession, xGA, and xG differential, but the current form of Rennes favors them. The model gives Rennes a 5-4 victory against Marseille based on selected KPIs.
The Pick: Rennes
Strasbourg vs AS Monaco
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 11:15 AM ET | 08:15 AM PT | 08:45 PM IST
Venue: Stade de la Meinau Strasbourg
Ligue 1 Expected Squad
Strasbourg
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Filip Jørgensen, Milosz Piekutowski, Gabriel Kerckaert
Defenders
Hermann Diandaga, Jeyland Mitchell, Ismael Doukoure, Mateo Del Blanco, Genesis Antwi, Lucas Høgsberg, Karim Coulibaly, Oso, Yoann Becker
Midfielders
Maximillian Oyedele, Sebastian Nanasi, Giovanni Reyna, Dário Essugo, Pape Diop, Diogo Sousa, Omari Kellyman, Tyrese Noubissie, Samir El Mourabet, Benjamin Brantlind
Unavailable players for Monaco: Mohammed Salisu (injury), Ansu Fati (injury), Edan Diop (injury), Folarin Balogun (injury).
KPI Comparison
KPI
AS Monaco
Strasbourg
KPI Advantage
League Points
9
6
Monaco
Average Goals
1.67
2.67
Strasbourg
Average Goals Conceded
0.33
2.33
Monaco
Average Goal Differential
+1.33
+0.33
Monaco
Average Expected Goals (xG)
1.13
1.67
Strasbourg
Average Expected Goals Conceded (xGA)
1.34
2.53
Monaco
Avg. Expected Goal Differential
-0.2
-0.9
Monaco
Possession
38%
48%
Strasbourg
Save Percentage
93%
67%
Monaco
Clean Sheets
2
0
Monaco
Current Ligue 1 Form
W-W-W
W-W-L
Monaco
League Position
1
6
Monaco
Analysis
AS Monaco seems to be the more sensible choice for this game. Monaco have managed to win all their three games in Ligue 1. They have only conceded one goal. Strasbourg have a good scoring record but have let in seven goals on the defensive side. Also, Monaco have a good xG/xGA profile when compared to that of Strasbourg. The biggest strength of Monaco lies in their defensive efficiency. Strasbourg’s attacking strategy and tactics make them a strong competitor, but Monaco’s consistency gives them an advantage.
The Pick: Monaco
Paris FC vs OL
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 02:45 PM ET | 11:45 AM PT | 12:15 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Ligue 1 Expected Squad
Paris FC
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Obed Nkambadio
Defenders
Kevin Trapp, Emmanuel Mbemba, Moustapha Mbow, Otavio, Hamari Traoré, Nhoa Sangui, Yoan Koré, Thibault De Smet, Samir Chergui, Diego Coppola
Midfielders
Vincent Marchetti, Zabi Gueu, Ilan Kebbal, Adama Camara, Maxime López, Rudy Matondo, Pierre Lees-Melou
Forwards
Pablo Pagis, Lassine Sinayoko, Jean-Phillipe Krasso, Luca Koleosho, Omar Sissoko, Moses Simon, Jonathan Ikoné
Nicolás Tagliafico, Zachary Athekame, Abner, Moussa Niakhaté, Felix Bacher, Ruben Kluivert, Clinton Mata, Steeve Kango, Mohamed Ouédraogo, Noham Kamara
Midfielders
Mads Bidstrup, Tanner Tessmann, Corentin Tolisso, Pavel Sulc, Khalis Merah, Tyler Morton, Mathys De Carvalho, Tiago Manuel Gonçalves Silva, Noah Nartey
Forwards
Keito Nakamura, Ernest Nuamah, Loïs Openda, Julien Duranville, Kail Boudache, Adil Hamdani, Rémi Himbert
Injury List
Unavailable players for Paris FC: Emmanuel Mbemba (injury), Nhoa Sangui (injury), Otávio (injury), Jonathan Ikoné (injury).
Unavailable players for Lyon: Julien Duranville (injury).
KPI Comparison
KPI
Lyon
Paris FC
KPI Advantage
League Points
7
7
Draw
Average Goals
2.00
2.00
Draw
Average Goals Conceded
0.67
0.67
Draw
Average Goal Differential
+1.3
+1.3
Draw
Average Expected Goals (xG)
1.70
2.54
Paris FC
Average Expected Goals Conceded (xGA)
1.32
0.85
Paris FC
Expected Goal Differential
+0.4
+1.7
Paris FC
Possession
56%
47%
Lyon
Save Percentage
82%
78%
Paris FC
Clean Sheets
1
2
Paris FC
Current Ligue 1 Form
W-D-W
D-W-W
Draw
League Position
2
3
Lyon
Analysis
Lyon holds an upper hand since the KPI comparison table has been considered. Both teams have the same points and goals tally. Expected goals rate, expected goals against, expected goal difference, and save rate favor Paris FC. Possession is in favor of Lyon, who is also placed higher in the league. Improved possession by Lyon will be the reason behind their victory in the match. These types of improvements match by match have given them a crucial opportunity to score.
The Pick: OL
LOSC Lille vs Troyes
Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 09:00 AM ET | 06:00 AM PT | 06:30 PM IST
Venue: Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq
Expected Ligue 1 Squad
LOSC Lille
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Berke Özer, Orlando Gill, Arnaud Bodart
Defenders
Loun Srdanovic, Nathan Ngoy, Alexsandro, Romain Perraud, Tiago Santos, Tanguy Nianzou, Calvin Verdonk, Isaac Cossier, Maxima Goffi
Midfielders
Nabil Bentaleb, Ethan Mbappé, Hákon Haraldsson, Maurits Kjaergaard, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Benjamin André
Lucas Maronnier, Anis Ouzenadji, Michel Diaz, Paolo Gozzi Iweru, Adrien Monfray, Ismael Boura, Noah Donkor, Enisio Carneiro, Yvann Titi
Midfielders
Mouhamed Diop, Merwan Ifnaoui, Iron Gomis, Antoine Mille, Hugo Picard, Alexandre Philiponeau, Dermane Karim, Roman Murcy, Idrissa Soukouna
Forwards
Kandet Diawara, Jeremy Le Douaron, Ibrahim Traoré, Renaud Ripart, Timothé Nkada, Christ Batola, Yacouba Kone
Injury List
Unavailable players for Lille: Hamza Igamane (injury).
Unavailable players for Troyes: Paolo Gozzi (injury), Ismaël Boura (injury), Yvann Titi (injury).
KPI Comparison
KPI
Troyes
Lille
KPI Advantage
League Points
4
7
Lille
Average Goals
1.33
1.67
Lille
Average Goals Conceded
2.33
+0.67
Lille
Average Goal Differential
-1.0
+1.0
Lille
Average Expected Goals (xG)
1.60
1.19
Troyes
Average Expected Goals Conceded (xGA)
2.00
2.28
Lille
Expected Goal Differential
-0.4
-1.1
Lille
Possession
38%
36%
Troyes
Save Percentage
61%
87%
Lille
Clean Sheets
1
2
Lille
Current Ligue 1 Form
D-W-L
D-W-L
Draw
League Position
9th
4th
Lille
Analysis
Lille clearly grabs an advantage in almost all the KPIs. In terms of points, goal difference, number of goals scored, and save percentage, Lille outperforms Troyes. Although Troyes has a slightly higher xG and higher possession, they still lack defensively compared to Lille. Lille has a better record when it comes to clean sheets and a superior league ranking. The overall KPI profile strongly shows Lille has the advantage.
The Pick: LOSC Lille
Conclusion
Match Day 4 is likely to witness some significant developments in the Ligue 1 standings. Results witnessed in the early weeks have already produced varying levels of momentum among clubs. The Monaco team comes into the matchday with a 100% league record, while PSG is yet to register a win. Rennes is also coming in on a positive streak as they take on Marseille. Form alone cannot determine our predictions, however. We shall assess attack, defense, possession, shots, passing, expected goals, and other KPIs. Through the analysis of these indicators, we shall determine the statistical edge of each club.