Ligue 1 Matchday 1 betting tips & top odds | August 15-17, 2025

Ligue 1 opens its 2025/26 season this weekend with nine matches slated from Friday to Sunday in France’s top-flight soccer competition. Expect a heavyweight feel with Lens hosting Lyon, Monaco starting at home, and promoted Paris FC making their top-flight debut, while European champions PSG will open their season away to Nantes.

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Rennes vs Marseille

Friday, August 15 – 8:45pm CEST – Roazhon Park

Rennes were decent at Roazhon Park last season, taking 28 home points (9-1-7) while conceding just 17 goals there. Marseille traveled well, going 10-1-6 with 33 goals scored on the road. Rennes’ home stinginess meets OM’s solid road level, meaning backing the draw is a reasonable play.

Lens vs Lyon

Saturday, August 16 – 5pm CEST – Stade Bollaert-Delelis

Lens allowed only 39 league goals in 2024/25 and were a top-three away defense, while Lyon conceded 46 and were merely middling travelers (6-4-7). In an opening-week cauldron at Bollaert-Delelis, the hosts’ solid defending and ability to control territory might tilt a tight game their way.

Monaco vs Le Havre

Saturday, August 16 – 7pm CEST – Stade Louis-II

Monaco’s attack was among the best in Ligue 1 last season, managing 63 goals, while they lost only two games at home for the campaign. Le Havre conceded a league-worst 71 goals and finished 15th, often buckling under sustained width and second-phase pressure.

Nice vs Toulouse

Saturday, August 16 – 9:05pm CEST – Allianz Riviera

Nice’s matches produced 107 total goals in 2024/25 (66 for, 41 against), and they scored 38 at home. Toulouse games still cleared a healthy baseline with 87 total goals (44 for, 43 against). With early-season fitness and set-piece threats on both sides, three goals looks like a fair expectation.

Brest vs Lille

Sunday, August 17 – 3pm CEST – Stade Francis-Le Blé

Brest were strong at Francis-Le Blé (10-3-4), yet Lille’s defense was among the league’s best (36 conceded) and their road split was balanced (6-5-6). Opening-week rust could narrow the quality gap between these two, so a point apiece reads as the most logical outcome.

Metz vs Strasbourg

Sunday, August 17 – 5:15pm CEST – Stade Saint-Symphorien

Metz return after winning the 2025 promotion playoff, finishing third in Ligue 2 before beating Reims over two legs. Strasbourg arrive off a seventh-place Ligue 1 campaign and were competent away (6-4-7). The visitors’ higher baseline at this level should tell.

Angers vs Paris FC

Sunday, August 17 – 5:15pm CEST – Stade Raymond-Kopa

Angers conceded 53 goals in Ligue 1 last season and were leaky at home. Paris FC come up as automatic promotees after finishing second in Ligue 2, scoring 55 goals and conceding 33. Angers conceded about 1.56 goals per game last season, and Paris FC bring pace on the break, so goals look likely.

Auxerre vs Lorient

Sunday, August 17 – 5:15pm CEST – Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps

Auxerre were a solid home outfit on their top-flight return in 2024/25, banking 27 points at Abbé-Deschamps. Lorient are back as Ligue 2 champions, but newly promoted sides often need time to translate control on the road. Opening week favors the settled hosts to bank all three points.

Nantes vs PSG

Sunday, August 17 – 8:45pm CEST – Stade de la Beaujoire

PSG romped to the title last season and were dominant away (12-4-1). Nantes managed just five home wins and conceded 52 goals overall. The gulf in firepower and depth is stark, so a dominant win for the reigning champs is likely.