Ligue 1 Betting: PSG set to run riot once again

Bordeaux v Nice (9th v 3rd)
Fri, 19:30 GMT
Live on BT Sport Extra 2

Bordeaux's hopes of collecting all three points appear overrated.

The hosts are depleted, with no fewer than 12 players unavailable. The list of absentees includes goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso, left-back Diego Contento, midfielder Jaroslav Plasil and striker Enzo Crivelli.

Without those four players Bordeaux's chances of beating a side four points above them in the table and boasting solid away form (W4-D5-L4) are hampered. Nice will be weaker without 11-goal top scorer Hatem Ben Arfa but have enough quality to avoid defeat.

The second selection is goals. Both teams have scored in 15 of Bordeaux's 26 Ligue 1 games and 15 of Nice's 26 games so the odds on both teams finding the net should be around 1.72. The 2.00 available looks good value.

Recommended Bets
Lay Bordeaux @ 2.14
Both Teams to Score @ 2.00

PSG v Reims (1st v 17th)
Sat, 16:00 GMT

PSG are a good bet to record yet another comfortable victory this weekend.

They drew 0-0 at home to Lille last Saturday but that was largely because they rested a number of players. If they name a strong side - e.g. a minimum of five first-choice outfield players - they should be much too good for Reims.

PSG have won 10 of their 12 home games this season. Nine of those 10 home victories have been by two or more goals. Results against weaker sides like Reims include: 5-0 v Toulouse, 4-1 v Troyes, 3-0 v Guingamp and 2-0 v Gazelec Ajaccio.

Reims are battling relegation and lack the quality to hold PSG at bay. Their away record at top-six sides is W0-D0-L3.

For a full guide to Asian handicap betting, click here.

Recommended Bet
PSG -1.5&-2.0 Asian handicap @ 1.95

Lorient v Guingamp (14th v 15th)
Sat, 19:00 GMT

Lorient are the bet because Guingamp's team news is dreadful.

Latest reports show the visitors' entire back four will be missing. Experienced centre-back duo Jeremy Sorbon and Christophe Kerbrat are out, as are full-backs Jonathan Martins Pereira and Dorian Leveque.

Without those four players coach Jocelyn Gourvennec will have to field a makeshift back four. That is a major problem as Lorient have one of Ligue 1's most dangerous strike partnerships in Benjamin Moukandjo and Majeed Waris.

Guingamp midfielder Lionel Mathis is also out, and Guingamp's away form is poor W3-D3-L7.

Lorient's home record against sides below the top-six is an excellent W5-D2-L0 so the hosts are well worth backing.

Recommended Bet
Lorient @ 2.26

Lille v Lyon (13th v 5th)
Sun, 20:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport 2

Lyon's status as underdogs makes little sense on current form.

The visitors arrive on a run of three tremendous victories - 4-1 v Caen, 3-0 at Angers and 3-0 v Bordeaux. Coach Bruno Genesio has hit upon a settled side and the visitors will be close to full strength.

Lyon are sharing the goals around, too - seven different players have been on the scoresheet in their last three games.

Lille have won just once against top-eight sides this season (W1-D7-L3). Their high draw rate suggests a point is the best they can hope for.

Recommended Bet
Lyon 0 Asian handicap @ 2.04