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Matchday 31 of Ligue 1 McDonald’s arrives with a shifting availability picture across the division, as several players return from suspension to reinforce their sides, while injuries continue to disrupt preparations at multiple clubs heading into a crucial stage of the season.
Only four players will miss the weekend through suspension, but their absences are spread across important fixtures. Toulouse forward Yann Gboho is set to serve the final match of his ban after being sent off during Matchday 30, ruling him out of the visit of AS Monaco. FC Metz will also be without Koffi Kouao for their trip to Le Havre on Sunday, while the hosts lose their captain Arouna Sangante following his red card last weekend. Nantes full-back Fabien Centonze completes the list of suspended players, although his absence comes amid ongoing fitness issues as well.
In contrast, Matchday 31 brings a significant wave of reinforcements, with 11 players returning from suspension across the league. Defences in particular receive a boost, with Lyon welcoming back Nicolas Tagliafico, while Toulouse regain Mark McKenzie and Brest are boosted by the return of Junior Diaz. Lille’s Nathan Ngoy, Marseille’s Facundo Medina, and Lorient wing-back Arsène Kouassi are also available again, strengthening defensive options across multiple squads.
Further forward, several influential midfielders and leaders return at a key moment in the campaign. Paris FC captain Pierre Lees-Melou is back in contention, as is Rennes skipper Valentin Rongier. AS Monaco also regain Senegal international midfielder Lamine Camara. At Nice, Morgan Sanson and Hicham Boudaoui are available again after already featuring in midweek Coupe de France action, adding further depth in midfield.
Despite those returns, injuries continue to shape selection decisions across the league. Marseille face a notable blow with Igor Paixão ruled out of Sunday’s late fixture against Nice after suffering a calf injury. His teammate Amine Gouiri is also a major doubt following a muscle issue picked up against Lorient, leaving Roberto De Zerbi’s side short of attacking options at a key moment.
Brest, who host Lens in Friday night’s opener, remain without several long-term absentees including Bradley Locko and Kamory Doumbia, while Rémy Labeau Lascary is ineligible against his parent club. Lyon, meanwhile, continue to manage a heavily disrupted squad for their meeting with Auxerre. While Tagliafico’s return is a boost, the club still have multiple absentees, with key attackers and squad players such as Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, and Rémi Himbert still sidelined. Pavel Šulc and Corentin Tolisso have only recently returned to full training, underlining the cautious approach being taken.
Elsewhere, Angers SCO remain significantly weakened with a long list of players in the treatment room, while Paris Saint-Germain are still without Quentin Ndjantou. Vitinha is expected to be rested, and Nuno Mendes could also be rotated out as the club manage workloads late in the season.
Saturday’s meeting between Toulouse and Monaco also comes with notable absences on both sides. Monaco are still without Takumi Minamino, Salisu, Vanderson, Idumbo, and Kassoum Ouattara, while Toulouse continue to miss Abu Francis and Frank Magri, in addition to Gboho’s suspension.
Sunday’s fixtures add further injury concerns, particularly at Lorient and Strasbourg. Lorient will be without Théo Le Bris and Montassar Talbi, while Strasbourg remain short of Anselmino and Panichelli. There are also late doubts over Guéla Doué, who has been struggling with illness, and Valentin Barco, who is dealing with an ankle issue. Nantes, meanwhile, are set to finish the season without Kelvin Amian, whose campaign is over, while Tylel Tati also remains unavailable.
With suspensions easing but injuries still heavily influencing selection, Matchday 31 looks set to test squad depth across Ligue 1 as teams enter the final stretch of the season.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Thomas Serer, Pexels / TBD Traveller
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