Ligue 1 Matchday 3 betting preview & free soccer tips | August 29-31

Ligue 1 continues into Matchday 3 this weekend in France, with RC Lens and Stade Brestois kicking off the action on Friday night.

With the international break next weekend, early-season momentum is crucial for teams looking to challenge PSG for the title.

BettingPlanet.com’s free Ligue 1 betting picks cover every game of the round, with top odds from the best soccer betting sites in United States.

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RC Lens vs Stade Brestois

Friday, August 29 – 8:45pm CEST – Stade Félix Bollaert-Delélis

Lens return to a rocking Bollaert-Delelis after a steady start, while Brest have already experienced both a 3-3 shootout and a 2-0 defeat — two very different games that still exposed their back line. Both teams attack with width and are happy to run in transition, so the first goal should open things up rather than close it down.

FC Lorient vs LOSC Lille

Saturday, August 30 – 5pm CEST – Stade du Moustoir

Lorient’s best moments come when they press high, but Lille are tidy playing through the first line and ruthless when they win it back in advanced areas. Expect the visitors to control field position and manufacture the cleaner looks from set pieces and cut-backs.

FC Nantes vs AJ Auxerre

Saturday, August 30 – 7pm CEST – La Beaujoire-Louis-Fonteneau

La Beaujoire can turn tight very quickly: Nantes keep shape first and ask questions later, while Auxerre won’t mind a stop-start rhythm that trims the game into fragments. With long stretches likely played between the boxes, a single mistake or set piece may decide it. When the margins feel this thin, the value sits with the draw.

FC Toulouse vs Paris Saint-Germain

Saturday, August 30 – 9:05pm CEST – Stadium de Toulouse

Toulouse are brave through midfield and will commit numbers to press, but that’s a dangerous invitation against a PSG side that punishes space with runners from both flanks. Expect waves of territory and a corner count that builds as the visitors hold a high line.

Angers SCO vs Stade Rennais FC

Sunday, August 31 – 3pm CEST – Stade Raymond Kopa

Angers will try to drag this into a wrestle, yet Rennes’ balance in and out of possession usually travels well — patient in build-up before quick entries once the spaces in behind open. If the visitors score first, they’re adept at shutting down space from the middle third and should do enough to claim the three points.

Le Havre AC vs OGC Nice

Sunday, August 31 – 5:15pm CEST – Stade Océane

Le Havre will lean on set pieces and crowd energy, but Nice’s defensive shape rarely gives up clean central looks, and they’re comfortable winning 1-0 games. Expect long spells where Nice manage territory without overcommitting, then choose their moment to convert.

AS Monaco vs RC Strasbourg Alsace

Sunday, August 31 – 5:15pm CEST – Stade Louis-II

Monaco are strong at Louis-II, especially with crosses, cut-backs, and second balls. Strasbourg tend to struggle when they’re pinned back and asked to defend repeat phases. If Monaco score first, Strasbourg will have to open up — and that suits the hosts’ pace on the wings even more.

Paris FC vs FC Metz

Sunday, August 31 – 5:15pm CEST – Stade Jean Bouin

Paris FC prefer measured build-up and plenty of restarts, while Metz are happiest compressing space and nicking territory on counters. With both managers valuing structure over chaos, shot quality should be modest and the output of goals minimal.

Olympique Lyonnais vs Olympique Marseille

Sunday, August 31 – 8:45pm CEST – Groupama Stadium

Lyon and Marseille both have enough firepower to make this an open game, and neither side is likely to sit on a 1-0 lead. Lyon’s overlaps create cut-backs and back-post chances, while Marseille’s direct runners thrive in transition. Once the first goal arrives, the match should open right up.