Matchday 8 runs **Oct 23-25**. Kickoffs are in French time. I could confirm most slots from the league's programme, but not all of them (see the note under the fixtures).
## Where things stand after Matchday 7
Lyon moved top after beating Nice 2-1, and five teams are level on 14 points (Lyon, PSG, Paris FC, Lille and Monaco), with Lyon ahead on goal difference. Rennes are on 13 and Lorient on 11. Le Havre are bottom with 2 points, and Troyes are next-worst on 4.
The Matchday 7 results below come from the match reports for PSG and Lyon. I worked out the rest from changes in the table:
- PSG 3-1 Strasbourg
- Lyon 2-1 Nice
- Lille 1-1 Brest
- Lorient 1-0 Monaco
- Paris FC 4-3 Rennes
- Lens 3-1 Troyes
- Marseille 5-2 Angers
- Toulouse 3-0 Le Mans
- Auxerre 3-1 Le Havre
## Friday, October 23
**Brest vs Nice, 20:45**
Brest have scored freely at home (5-1 against Angers) and drew 1-1 at Lille last time out, so they are hard to beat. Their weakness is defending (10 conceded in seven games). Nice have scored only 6 goals all season and lost 2-1 at Lyon. The hosts should control this, and Nice will need a set piece or a mistake to score.
**Predicted score: Brest 2-0 Nice**
## Saturday, October 24
**Toulouse vs Troyes, 17:15**
The official programme has this as the Saturday early game. Toulouse are coming off a 3-0 win at Le Mans, their best result of the season, and they have scored 12 goals in seven games. Troyes have the worst goal difference in the league (-11) and have scored only 5 goals in seven games. They lost 3-1 at home to Lens last time out. This looks like a comfortable home win.
**Predicted score: Toulouse 2-0 Troyes**
**Lens vs Paris FC, 20:45**
This is a good test for both sides. Lens beat Lyon 2-1 earlier this month and then won 3-1 at Troyes, with 14 goals scored. They have also conceded 11, so Paris FC will get chances. Paris FC are unbeaten except for the Lorient defeat and just won 4-3 at Rennes, but they conceded three in that game. At Bollaert, I give Lens the narrow edge.
**Predicted score: Lens 2-1 Paris FC**
## Sunday, October 25
**Monaco vs Lille, 15:00**
Both teams are on 14 points. Monaco suffered their first defeat at Lorient (1-0), and they have drawn twice in their last four. Lille have the joint-best defense among the top five (5 goals conceded) but drew 1-1 at Brest last time. Both defenses are strong and neither attack has been prolific lately, so I expect a tight game.
**Predicted score: Monaco 1-1 Lille**
**Rennes vs Strasbourg, 17:15**
Rennes are fun to watch but leaky: 15 goals scored and 14 conceded in seven games. They lost 4-3 at Paris FC, but they are at home. Strasbourg have lost three of their last four, including 3-1 against PSG, and have conceded 15 goals. Both sides will score, but Rennes have the stronger attack and home advantage.
**Predicted score: Rennes 3-1 Strasbourg**
**Marseille vs Le Havre, 17:15**
Marseille have won their last two (2-0 at Troyes, 5-2 at Angers) after a poor start, and their attack looks sharp again. Le Havre are still winless with 2 points and 5 goals in seven games. They lost 3-1 to Auxerre, so a heavy defeat at the Vélodrome is likely.
**Predicted score: Marseille 3-0 Le Havre**
**Auxerre vs Le Mans, 17:15**
Auxerre have recovered a little, with three wins from seven. They won 3-1 at Le Havre, but they have conceded 17 goals. Le Mans have lost heavily at Toulouse and conceded 15 in seven games. Both defenses are poor, but Auxerre have home advantage and the better recent form.
**Predicted score: Auxerre 2-1 Le Mans**
**Angers vs Lorient, 17:15**
Angers have the worst form at home, losing 5-2 to Marseille and conceding 15 goals in seven games. Lorient are compact. Their three wins have all been 1-0, including the last against Monaco, but they only score about a goal a game. Lorient should do enough to win away, and I expect them to concede once.
**Predicted score: Angers 1-2 Lorient**
**PSG vs Lyon, 20:45**
PSG host Lyon at 20:45 at the Parc des Princes. The champions have won four straight (Brest, Marseille, Le Mans, Strasbourg) and sit second on 14 points. Lyon have the best defense in the league (5 goals conceded) and the best goal difference, but they lost 2-1 at Lens on Matchday 6. PSG announced a medical update on Nuno Mendes after the Strasbourg game, so check his status. PSG's quality at home should decide a close contest.
**Predicted score: PSG 2-1 Lyon**
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### Summary (French time)
| Match | Kickoff | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Brest vs Nice | Fri 23, 20:45 | 2-0 |
| Toulouse vs Troyes | Sat 24, 17:15 | 2-0 |
| Lens vs Paris FC | Sat 24, 20:45 | 2-1 |
| Monaco vs Lille | Sun 25, 15:00 | 1-1 |
| Rennes vs Strasbourg | Sun 25, 17:15 | 3-1 |
| Marseille vs Le Havre | Sun 25, 17:15 | 3-0 |
| Auxerre vs Le Mans | Sun 25, 17:15 | 2-1 |
| Angers vs Lorient | Sun 25, 17:15 | 1-2 |
| PSG vs Lyon | Sun 25, 20:45 | 2-1 |
I confirmed the Friday, Saturday and 15:00 slots, and the PSG-Lyon time, from the league programme. Rennes-Strasbourg also appears in that list at 17:15. The other three Sunday 17:15 times come from club calendars, which suggest a four-game 17:15 slate. Angers-Lorient had conflicting listings, so check the official site before kickoff. I haven't verified team news, so lineups could change these predictions.