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| It’s tight at the top with only 3 points separating Monaco and PSG as we enter gameweek 37. |
It’s still tight at the top with only three points separating Monaco and PSG as we enter the penultimate gameweek. We are in for a dramatic few weeks in France, and I’m not talking about the fallout from the French presidential election here. The title race could go the same way as the recently concluded election with Monaco installed as hot favourites due to their game in hand as well as their three-point advantage over defending champions, PSG. So, will the current league leaders deliver on their current billing or will they be trumped by the Parisians?
Sunday 14 May
7/10 Nice | Draw 51/20 | Angers 4/1 (21:00)
It’s been a torrid few weeks for Nice as some poor results have seen them go from title contenders to also rans. They currently sit in that twilight zone of football that a lot of top clubs across Europe find themselves in as they have secured a Champions League berth but can’t finish any higher than third spot on the log. Angers also have little to play for with their survival assured. Both of these teams failed to pick up a win last week and it looks like they are going through the motions at present. As such, I think both defences are likely to slack off somewhat, which is why my money is on the Both Teams to Score – Yes – market.
6/1 St. Etienne | 34/10 | PSG 4/10 (21:00)
This one is going to be rather short as I just can’t see PSG slipping up with so much on the line. Yes they take on a decent St. Etienne outfit but I still can’t see them messing it up. Get on the away win at 4/10!
27/20 Caen | 9/4 | Rennes 39/20 (21:00)
Caen will be looking to claim a win here to ensure themselves a place in Ligue 1 next season when they take on Rennes this Sunday. Rennes, like so many other teams around Europe, find themselves in limbo presently with European qualification a pipe dream. Caen have strangely struggled on their own patch, losing their last two home fixtures, while Rennes have struggled on the road with their last away defeat coming at the hands of a woeful Bastia outfit. With those factors in mind, I’m going to avoid the straight win market and instead back the Both Teams to Score – Yes – market which is available at 7/10.
1/5 Monaco | 52/10 | Lille 11/1 (21:00)
The champions-elect have been handed a rather kind run-in, although they will need to be wary of a Lille side who have produced a few upsets this season. The visitors will be in high spirits after beating Guingamp 3-0 last Saturday. I can see the first half being rather cagey but Monaco’s quality should see them come out on top. I know it’s not great value but I’m on the Monaco straight win at 1/5.
13/10 Dijon | 43/20 | Nancy 43/20 (21:00)
Dijon and Nancy go head-to-head in what should be an epic relegation dogfight. Both of these sides come into this one off the back of heavy defeats with Dijon going down by a 3-0 score line to Monaco and Nancy shipping four goals without response against Guingamp.I’m on the home side here as home ground advantage is so vital at this time of the season. Get on the Dijon win at 13/10.
31/20 Bastia | 22/10 | Lorient 7/4 (21:00)
Bastia had another weekend to forget with their 5-0 loss to PSG all but sealing their relegation. Lorient, on the other hand, look to have performed a Houdini act with their 1-1 draw against Angers seeing them move two points clear of the bottom three. Yes, a win for Bastia could reignite their survival hopes but I don’t see them getting it here as Lorient have looked a rather solid bunch in recent weeks. The away win at 7/4 represents some great value and shouldn’t be missed.
28/10 Montpellier | 47/20 | Lyon 19/20 (21:00)
Montpellier failed to push on for a possible European berth and now languish in 15th place on the Ligue 1 standings. Lyon, after a poor start to the year, have turned things around and look destined to claim the Europa League berth. Montpellier have really fallen to pieces over the last month and must be rather demotivated. I can see Lyon taking full advantage of that mind state by getting a win at the Stade de la Mosson this Saturday.
31/20 Metz | 22/10 | Toulouse 7/4 (21:00)
Metz take on Toulouse with both sides having little to play for. The hosts have been a revelation during their promotion season, claiming some massive scalps while assuring survival with time to spare. As you know I’m a sucker for backing Metz, and I’m not going to change my tune this weekend. My money is on the hosts getting another win in front of their fans – get on at 31/20.
11/10 Nantes | 23/10 | Guingamp 51/20 (21:00)
Nantes and Guingamp are both well off the pace for Europa League qualification, which means Saturday’s fixture is essentially an exhibition match. The duo come into this one off the back of high scoring fixtures with Nantes going down 3-2 to Lyon and Guingamp running out 4-0 victors against Dijon. I think these two sides will be involved in another high scorer here. As such, my money is on the Totals – Over 2.5 Goals – market which is available at 15/20.
13/10 Bordeaux | 22/10 | Marseille 21/10 (21:00)
We conclude the preview by taking a look at the Bordeaux versus Marseille game. The visitors have enjoyed a mid-season renaissance, which has seen them move into contention for a Europa League place while Bordeuax have blown hot and cold for the better part of two months. My money is on Marseille claiming the spoils here. They’ve strung a solid set of results together and I can’t see that sequence ending here.Get on the away win at 21/10!
TREBLE @ 8/1
Nice vs Angers BTTS 8/10
Nantes vs Guingamp BTTS 15/20
Marseille Win 21/10
Written by Darry Worthington
