With most top leagues wrapped up, Ligue 1 heads down to the wire.
Burak Yilmaz rockets in a screamer that sets up Lille for the Ligue 1 title, just four points shy of glory with two games to go. Current champions, PSG, must win when they welcome Reims to the Parc de Princes. Nimes could see their exit from France’s top league this weekend when they face tough opponents Olympique Lyon, who are on the hunt for a Champions League spot.
It’s time, for one more step closer to Les Dogues silverware.
Sunday 16 May
Bordeaux 49/20
Draw 26/10
Lens 1/1
(21:00)
Bordeaux have been beyond dismal losing their last six, with just a narrow 1-0 win against a nine-man Rennes at the Nouveau Stade. The ownership issues at the club have found their way to the dressing room and subsequently onto the pitch. Lens, on the other hand, have had an amazing first season back in the Ligue 1. Unfortunately, their last two games were against title contenders PSG and Lille which handed them back to back losses for only the second time this season. It will be back to regularly programming with a Lens win.
Dijon 13/2
Draw 38/10
Nantes 4/10
(21:00)
Nantes have not been the greatest at home, but a recent 3-0 win against Bordeaux will be a massive confidence boost. The Canaries also have a fully fit squad without any suspensions. Dijon on the other hand, have five players out due to injury, including integral defender Wesley Lautoa, and midfielder Bersant Celina out on suspension. The Owls are without key players, relegated and have the worst form in the league this season. The bookies have finally picked up on Dijon opposition odds, and even a relegation threatened Nantes are big favourites. Backing the away team Nantes is this gameweeks banker, and Nantes to Win Both Halves is the bet at 19/20.
Lille 7/20
Draw 37/10
St. Etienne 7/1
(21:00)
Lille vs St. Etienne has warmed up to be quite an exciting fixture. The home team needs four points to win the league after dominating the north of France derby when they welcome Les Verts to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The away team are mid-table but have worked two good performances in their last two fixtures with wins over tough opponents Montpellier and Marseille. Les Dogues have put in a trophy winning performance this campaign, particularly in the defensive department conceding just 22 goals in 36 matches and French goalkeeper Mike Maignan leading from the back with 20 clean sheets to date. The home team are not big scorers, so backing Lille and Under 4.5 Goals at 6/10 is where to place a bet.
Lorient 6/10
Draw 3/1
Metz 44/10
(21:00)
The home team have been the epitome of a fan favourite, newly promoted team. Lorient started the season off poorly, beat the giants (PSG) and went on a good run of form, only to find themselves fighting against relegation again. Les Merlus have been playing well at home over the last five fixtures, winning four and drawing one. Of those five games, in form Congolese attacker Yoane Wissa has scored in three. The away team has only registered one win in their last five, and rightfully so, as the last win was against Dijon. Over the years this fixture has produced Over 2.5 goals in the last six of their seven matches. The matchbet: Lorient & Over 2.5 Goals at 31/20 is our value bet for the weekend.
Marseille 9/20
Draw 32/10
Angers 56/10
(21:00)
Marseille’s next two matches are must wins for the team from the south of France as they sit tied on 56 points with Lens for a Europa League finish. The Olympians are unbeaten in their last seven home fixtures, but narrowly slipped up with a one goal defeat to St Etienne in their last fixture. The opposition, Angers, were without a win in seven fixtures before meeting a Dijon for a guaranteed three points. Look out for Dimitri Payet as an Anytime Goalscorer at 2/1. You can back Marseille to Win To Nil at 12/10.
Monaco 13/20
Draw 28/10
Rennes 39/10
(21:00)
Rennes are an unreliable team in terms of betting. The Red and Blacks can get defeated one goal to nil against a woeful Bordeaux, and the following week pull off stealing a point from PSG in their bid for the league title. Monaco on the other hand have had a great season after a turbulent two years of finishing 17th and ninth. The home team have lost just two fixtures at home this year, tied for the best home record this season with log leaders Lille. Monaco & Over 1.5 Goals is the bold call at 21/10.
Montpellier 5/4
Draw 11/4
Brest 37/20
(21:00)
Defeats for Lens and Marseille kept Montpellier’s slim chances for European qualification alive. A scintillating overhead kick by Gaetan Laborde secured a third goal for Montpellier, and his second of the match which saw them take all three points over Strasbourg. Brest have to be on their defensive best against Montpellier through set plays, as the home team have scored 18 headed goals this season, no Ligue 1 team has scored more. Brest need four points to clear their name from relegation talks, and a win over Montpellier is a tough ask considering they have just one win over their opposition which took place in 2008. Montpellier to win at 5/4 is our banker.
Nice 49/20
Draw 26/10
Strasbourg 21/20
(21:00)
Nice’s last two games have seen red cards, and this specific fixture has seen two red cards in the past two meetings, so if you’re looking for some easy yellow/red card bets, check out the odds. Strasbourg have not won a fixture in their last five games, but both teams have found themselves on the scoresheet in each of those five fixtures. Strasbourg are in a must win fixture as they sit in relegation play-off 17th place. The home team’s Adrian Ursea has limited options without Jordan Lotomba and Pierre Lees Melou both out on suspension as well as five additional players sidelined due to injury. Finding a winner in this fixture is difficult, Both Teams To Score (Yes) is the best bet on offer.
Nimes 6/1
Draw 44/10
Lyon 7/20
(21:00)
A Nimes loss means relegation, as staying afloat via goal difference would require an unimaginable feat. The competition in front of them however is possibly the toughest in the league. Aside from Lyon being a tough opponent, they have to keep pressure on Monaco for the Champions League spot. The Olympians have scored 14 goals in their last five fixtures coming into this game which translates to four wins and a single loss. Take the away team to win & Over 1.5 Goals at 5/10.
Paris Saint-Germain 1/5
Draw 8/1
Reims 22/1
(21:00)
Paris Saint Germain have recently secured a spot in the Coupe de France final with a penalty shootout win over Monaco. Confidence will be prominent and chasing down log leaders Lille will be on the forefront of their minds. Securing a trophy might secure Mauricio Pochettino’s job after recent speculation, but the domestic trophy is always priority number one. Marco Veratti and Ander Herrera will both be back from suspension as an added boost in their pursuits. The opposition, Reims, has the motivation of three points to secure their spot in Ligue 1 next season. The Red and Whites have produced a lacklustre season and a win over PSG could give the fans something to celebrate. However, defeating PSG would be an absolute shock, and the Home To Win Both Halves (Yes) is where the decent money is, at 17/20.
TREBLE @ 6/1
Lens Win 1/1
Lille Win & Under 4.5 goals 6/10
Montpellier Win 5/4
Written by Joshua Gaillard