Matchday 23: What to Watch in Ligue 1 this weekend

Matchday 23 throws up intrigue at both ends of the table. A title race tightening by the week, a European scrap intensifying, and a relegation battle growing more desperate: this is a weekend that could once again shift the landscape of the 2025-26 campaign.

New Eras Begin in Brittany and Marseille

Two familiar faces return to the Ligue 1 touchline. Former Lens boss Franck Haise takes charge of Stade Rennais FC for the first time as they travel to AJ Auxerre. Rennes stunned champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 last weekend under interim management, but consistency away from home has been their Achilles’ heel, with three straight road defeats.

At the same time, Habib Beye begins life in charge of Olympique de Marseille away to Stade Brestois 29. OM are winless in three league matches and leaking goals on their travels. A response is required immediately if they are to protect their Champions League ambitions.

Brest, meanwhile, remain stubbornly competitive at Stade Francis-Le Blé. Unbeaten domestically in February, Eric Roy’s men will sense vulnerability.

Title Race Tremors: PSG Look to Respond

After slipping to defeat at Rennes, PSG have dropped to second place, one point behind leaders Lens. Luis Enrique’s side return to the Parc des Princes to face FC Metz, knowing anything less than victory could damage their title defence.

The Parisians have won six straight league games at home, conceding just once in that stretch. They have also won their last 10 competitive home matches against Metz.

For Metz, rooted to the foot of the table, survival hopes are fading. Yet newly promoted sides have occasionally troubled the elite this season — and PSG have already shown rare vulnerability in 2026.

European Six-Pointer in Alsace

Sunday night sees RC Strasbourg Alsace host Olympique Lyonnais in a clash loaded with European ramifications.

Strasbourg sit seventh, just three points off continental qualification. Gary O’Neil’s men have developed a habit of late drama, with six goals scored after the 75th minute this season.

But Lyon are the form team in France. Under Paulo Fonseca, Les Gones have won 13 consecutive matches in all competitions and remain perfect in 2026. Defensively assured and ruthless in transition, they are five points clear of Marseille in the race for automatic Champions League qualification.

Relegation Pressure Mounts

Auxerre’s mini-revival has tightened the bottom of the table. Christophe Pélissier’s side are unbeaten in three this month and have conceded just once in that stretch.

Metz, by contrast, have lost 15 league games — a division high. Every weekend now feels decisive. Further up, Brest’s mid-table stability could yet morph into a late European push, while Rennes and Strasbourg are separated by the finest of margins.