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The wait is finally over! The Arkema Première Ligue is back for 2025/2026 and Matchday 1 arrives with a full slate on the opening weekend promoted Marseille and Lens join the top flight and a cluster of Saturday fixtures set the tone. Here’s a comprehensive preview of Matchday 1 fixtures
Le Havre vs RC Strasbourg
Le Havre host Strasbourg at the Stade Océane, and this one looks like a tight, tactical opening day scrap. Le Havre will be confident at their big home ground and will try to keep possession and press in midfield. Strasbourg, who’ll be happy to sit in and counter, will look for set-piece moments and quick transitions.
Prediction: A close encounter expect chances on both sides but few goals.
Match draw
Montpellier HSC vs FC Fleury 91
Montpellier host Fleury to open their league season in what should be a lively regional battle. Montpellier have used the Bernard Gasset facilities for many women’s fixtures and will look to start at home with a compact, organized shape. Fleury come into the campaign with momentum and a group used to pushing for the top half they’ll probe early and look to punish any defensive slack from the hosts.
Prediction: Montpellier will make home conditions count but Fleury will be dangerous on the break.
Match draw.
Paris FC vs Dijon FCO
Paris FC welcome Dijon in a tasty early kickoff at Charléty. Paris FC, playing in front of their city crowd, will aim to control the midfield and use width to stretch Dijon. Dijon have turned heads in recent seasons with a physical, direct approach they’re not afraid to attack but will need to be disciplined against Paris FC’s home intensity.
Prediction: Paris FC’s home pressure should be decisive but don’t write Dijon off.
Either win.
FC Nantes vs AS Saint-Étienne
Nantes host Saint-Étienne in a regional tussle. Nantes like to build play patiently and create overloads down the flanks; Saint-Étienne will try to keep shape and sneak moments through counter attacks. This one could hinge on which side converts set-piece chances or makes the most of a loose moment.
Prediction: With Nantes way o f dominating possession, creating chances , and accurate with their passes.
Nantes win or Draw
RC Lens vs Paris Saint-Germain
RC Lens welcome Paris Saint-Germain in the Saturday night spotlight. PSG arrive with clear attacking talent and ambitions to start strong away from home, while newly promoted Lens will feed off local support and the novelty of big-match feel. Lens can be spirited and fast on counters. PSG will need to be patient and clinical.
Prediction: PSG’s quality should win out, but Lens will make it uncomfortable.
Paris Saint-Germain win.
OL Lyonnes vs Olympique de Marseille
The season wraps up the weekend with a heavyweight clash champions OL Lyonnes, host promoted Olympique de Marseille. Lyonnes remain the benchmark in French women’s football they’ll look to stamp authority early and control the tempo. Marseille, fresh from promotion, will be upbeat and fearless but expect Lyonnes’s experience and depth to tell over 90 minutes.
Prediction: Lyonnes to start the defense of their title emphatically.
OL Lyonnes win.
Matchday 1 serves up everything you want from an opening weekend local derbies, promoted sides tasting top-flight action, and a late big name fixture to close the weekend. Lyonnes look nailed-on favorites to kick off with three points at home, PSG should also get their campaign under way with a win, and Paris FC and Montpellier are solid picks at home. Expect a mix of tight tactical battles Le Havre vs Strasbourg, Nantes vs Saint-Étienne and a couple of more open affairs.
