Ligue 1 Betting: New-look Bordeaux to prove problematic for Lyon

Lyon v Bordeaux (11th v 8th)
Wed, 20:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport 2

This is a clash between two of Ligue 1's most unpredictable sides.

Lyon keep threatening to put together a run of results but it's yet to happen. Their 1-0 defeat at struggling Bastia at the weekend saw them slide into the bottom-half of the table. Their team is full of talent but the players have yet to gel under new coach Bruno Genesio.

Bordeaux are even more baffling. They lost 5-1 at Lille in the League Cup semi-final last Tuesday but their injury-hit side thrashed Rennes 4-0 four days later.

On the back of that win Bordeaux arrive in confident mood. A flurry of deadline-day transfer activity should also ensure maximum motivation.

Four new signings - goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni, Arsenal full-back Mathieu Debuchy, midfielder Mauro Arambarri and striker Malcom - are all included in the squad for this game. Their presence will keep incumbents on their toes and give coach Willy Sagnol good options.

Based on recent form and league position Bordeaux's odds are too big, so they're the selection.

For an Asian handicap betting guide, click here.

Recommended Bet
Bordeaux +0.5&+1.0 Asian handicap @ 2.00

Nice v Toulouse (4th v 19th)
Wed, 20:00 GMT

Nice are a good bet to win as Toulouse look absolutely shattered.

Toulouse have had a hectic start to 2016: they played no fewer than eight times in January. As well as four Ligue 1 fixtures they had two games in each of France's two domestic cup competitions (French Cup and League Cup), with one of those games going to extra-time.

Coach Dominique Arribage works with a fairly restricted squad so there has been relatively little rotation. And morale will be low - Toulouse have lost their last five matches in all competitions.

Nice played only five times in January so will be a lot fresher than the visitors. The hosts also have solid home form against sides currently below them in the standings (W5-D1-L2).

Recommended Bet
Back Nice @ 2.10

Guingamp v Troyes (14th v 20th)
Wed, 20:00 GMT

Troyes are bottom of Ligue 1 and were hit harder than most clubs in the final day of the transfer window.

'ESTAC', as they're known, lost highly promising France U19 international goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni to Bordeaux and mobile striker Jimmy Cabot (strangely under-used this season) to Lorient.

Without those two Troyes are weaker at both ends of the field. Their defensive problems are made worse here by the absence of centre-back Matthieu Saunier.

Troyes have won only once all season and their chances of getting something from this trip appear slim.

Guingamp won 2-1 at Toulouse last Saturday. That was an important victory against relegation rivals.

After that triumph they will go into this game in confident mood. Guingamp have good team news, too, with no automatic starters missing. They look a decent bet to claim a convincing win.

Recommended Bet
Guingamp -1.0 Asian handicap @ 2.00