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| The French Ligue 1 season has gotten off to a fairly predictable start with PSG absolutely dominating. |
The 2017/18 French Ligue 1 action resumes on Friday the 8th of September. The first international break of the season is now a thing of the past, which means we can finally get back to what really matters; domestic football. The Ligue 1 season has gotten off to a fairly predictable start with PSG absolutely dominating. The Parisians further strengthened their squad during the final few days of the transfer window when they signed Monaco’s star striker, Kylian Mbappe.
Friday 8 September
15/10 Lille | Draw 22/10 | Bordeaux 19/10 (19:00)
Lille will be looking to regroup after the international break as they have only won a solitary game since the start of the season. Conversely, Bordeaux are yet to lose this term winning two and drawing their other two fixtures. They currently sit fifth on the league table and will be wanting to extend their unbeaten run here. Lille really look limp this term and I can see Bordeaux adding to the host’s early season angst. The away win offers great value and just shy of 2/1.
19/1 Metz | 8/1 | PSG 1/10 (20:45)
Metz come into their tie against PSG as rank underdogs as the Parisians have been in sensational touch, scoring 14 goals in just four games. Metz, on the other hand, have lost all four of their fixtures and have already conceded seven goals while only finding the back of the net once. PSG should have no troubles seeing off Metz. The smart play here is to back the men from the French capital on the (-1) Handicap at 3/10.
Saturday 9 September
33/10 Nice | 28/10 | Monaco 15/20 (17:00)
The international break was exceedingly kind to Monaco as not only did some of their players star for their national sides but they also managed to retain the services of Arsenal and Liverpool target Thomas Lemar. They did lose Kylian Mbappe to PSG, however, but Lemar is a key cog in this side and his decision to stay is a massive coup for the reigning champions. Monaco have been brilliant thus far while Nice have only managed to win one game. The price of 15/20 may be a touch short for an away side but I’m more than willing to back Monaco on the straight win.
37/20 Troyes | 22/10 | Toulouse 15/10 (20:00)
New boys Troyes take on mid-table Toulouse in Saturday’s second fixture. The hosts have claimed four points from their opening four games and are only two points off Toulouse on the standings. Toulouse, who have six points from their opening four fixtures, have won two and lost two this term. I’m going to avoid the straight win market here as I think the Both Teams to Score – Yes – market offers a safer bet – get on at a healthy 8/10!
21/20 Strausborg | 9/4 | Amiens 11/4 (20:00)
Promoted sides Strausbourg and Amiens lock horns this Saturday in what should be an extremely cagey affair. The hosts have enjoyed a decent enough start to the campaign claiming four points from their opening four fixtures. Amiens have also been alright and have claimed three points from first four games in the top flight. I’m going to go for the home win here mainly due to Amiens poor record on the road.
23/20 Montpellier | 9/4 | Nantes 49/20 (20:00)
Montpellier will be looking to add some much-needed impotence to their campaign when they play hosts to 15th-placed Nantes. The hosts have only claimed four points from their opening four matches, which is simply not enough for a side looking to break into the Europa League qualification berths. Nantes have also had a subdued start to the season but they’ll just be happy not be in the relegation zone at present. I think the Montpellier win offers great value here. Yes, they have failed to live up to expectations but they should have enough about them to see off a mediocre Nantes outfit.
1/1 Caen | 47/20 | Dijon 28/10 (20:00)
Caen and Dijon will lock horns in Saturday’s final fixture. The hosts have gotten their season off to a solid start winning two of their four games, while the visitors have drawn one, lost two and won one. Caen look a side on the up and I fancy them to get the job done on home soil.
Sunday 10 September
11/10 Saint Etienne | 22/10 | Angers 11/4 (15:00)
High-flying Saint Etienne will play host to seventh-placed Angers this Saturday. The hosts have won three of their four fixtures this term while the visitors have won two and lost two. Both sides have healthy goal scoring records this term, so I highly doubt we’ll see a 0-0 draw here. Again, I’m going to go with the home side. Saint Etienne have been extremely impressive thus far and I reckon they’ll make it four wins from five games this Sunday.
4/10 Lyon | 39/10 | Guingamp 6/1 (17:00)
Lyon saw their winning streak come to an end just before the international window as they went down successive draws in week three and four. They are still unbeaten this season, however, and have looked good during the opening salvos of the season. Guingamp have also enjoyed a decent start to their campaign and currently sit mid-table with two wins to their names. Lyon are way too short to back on the straight win here especially considering Guingamp penchant for producing an upset. As such, my advice is to get on the Both Teams to Score – Yes – market at 7/10.
13/20 Marseille | 28/10 | Rennes 4/1 (21:00)
Marseille will be looking to make it three wins from five matches when they play host to Stade Rennes in the gameweek’s final fixture. The visitors are yet to register a win this term and currently sit second to last on the league standings. The Marseille win should be added to all multiples this weekend as they will have no issues seeing off a Rennes side in freefall.
TREBLE @ 9/1
Bordeaux Win19/10
St Etienne Win 11/10
Marseille Win 13/20
Written by Darry Worthington
