A Paris Derby, and More: What to watch this weekend in Ligue 1

French football returns after the winter break with a packed and politically charged 17th matchday of Ligue 1 McDonald's. From a historic Paris derby to key managerial subplots and Roberto De Zerbi’s first test of 2026, there is no gentle reintroduction.

Paris FC vs PSG: A Derby Decades in the Making

Paris hosts a Ligue 1 derby for the first time in over 40 years.
For the first time in more than four decades, Paris hosts a Ligue 1 derby. Paris FC welcome PSG to the Parc des Princes on Sunday night in a fixture loaded with symbolism but defined by imbalance. Around 1,000 Paris FC supporters are expected to attend, with authorities confident the match will pass without major incident despite recent tensions involving supporter groups. On the pitch, however, expectations are clear. PSG arrive as overwhelming favourites and will view anything other than victory as unacceptable.

For Paris FC, the stakes are different. Survival remains the priority, but this derby offers visibility and legitimacy at the top level. Even in defeat, a competitive performance would serve as a statement of intent for a club still establishing itself in Ligue 1.

Monaco vs Lyon: January Truths

Monaco host Lyon in a fixture that already feels like a January reality check for both sides. Adi Hütter’s team have been consistent at home and remain firmly in the European race, while Lyon continue their attempt to stabilise after a turbulent first half of the season.

OL travel without Endrick, absent from the squad, though Clinton Mata returns following Angola’s elimination from the CAN. For Lyon, the challenge is less about individual absences and more about continuity. Encouraging performances have surfaced, but consistency against top-half opposition remains elusive.
For Monaco, this match represents an opportunity to apply pressure at the top of the table and reinforce their Champions League credentials before the calendar tightens further.

Marseille vs Nantes: De Zerbi Wants Immediate Control

At the Vélodrome, Roberto De Zerbi begins his January reset with the visit of Nantes on Sunday afternoon. Historically, post-break afternoon kick-offs have proven awkward, and De Zerbi was keen to stress that appearances can be misleading.
“These matches can look simple from the outside,” he warned, “but they are not.”

Marseille’s objective is clear: start quickly, impose intensity, and avoid the sluggishness that often follows the winter pause. With ambitions still alive across competitions, OM cannot afford dropped points in fixtures of this nature.

Aubameyang returns to Marseille from AFCON

One of the key talking points from De Zerbi’s press conference was his unequivocal support of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, following criticism directed at the striker during Gabon’s CAN campaign.

The OM coach confirmed that Aubameyang is fully fit and available, underlining that the club has never questioned either his professionalism or his commitment. Marseille even sent a physiotherapist to Gabon to assist his recovery, a clear sign of internal backing.

Nice vs Strasbourg: Focus Amid Uncertainty

One of the weekend’s more delicate fixtures sees Strasbourg travel to Nice amid persistent speculation surrounding Liam Rosenior’s future, with links to Chelsea continuing to circulate.

While the coach has publicly insisted on focusing solely on the present, the backdrop inevitably adds tension. Strasbourg’s ability to remain competitive in such circumstances will be closely watched, particularly against a Nice side seeking to stabilise its own trajectory in the European race.

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