Montpellier v Lorient (14th v 18th)
Sat, 19:00 BST
Lorient may be below Montpellier in the standings but they are playing well enough to pick up a draw and possibly win this weekend.
Battling to get out of relegation trouble Lorient have hit form at the right time: they've won their last three matches thanks to a fearless brand of football that's made them gripping to watch.
The turning point arrived three weeks ago when Lorient, trailing 2-0 at half-time away to relegation rivals Nancy, mounted a remarkable second-half comeback, eventually winning 3-2. A 1-0 home victory over Caen came next before they produced a stunning performance at Lyon last weekend, winning 4-1 against the fourth-placed hosts.
Given how well Lorient are playing the price of evens on Montpellier is worth opposing. Jean-Louis Gasset's hosts recorded their first win in four matches at Caen last weekend but the 2-0 scoreline flattered them: they needed a late goal from substitute Jonathan Ikone to seal the victory after riding their luck while leading 1-0.
Montpellier might even settle for a draw here in order to stay a safe distance above the relegations positions. Whatever the hosts' approach, Lorient are playing well enough to avoid defeat.
Recommended Bet
Lay Montpellier @ 2.00
Sat, 19:00 BST
Lorient may be below Montpellier in the standings but they are playing well enough to pick up a draw and possibly win this weekend.
Battling to get out of relegation trouble Lorient have hit form at the right time: they've won their last three matches thanks to a fearless brand of football that's made them gripping to watch.
The turning point arrived three weeks ago when Lorient, trailing 2-0 at half-time away to relegation rivals Nancy, mounted a remarkable second-half comeback, eventually winning 3-2. A 1-0 home victory over Caen came next before they produced a stunning performance at Lyon last weekend, winning 4-1 against the fourth-placed hosts.
Given how well Lorient are playing the price of evens on Montpellier is worth opposing. Jean-Louis Gasset's hosts recorded their first win in four matches at Caen last weekend but the 2-0 scoreline flattered them: they needed a late goal from substitute Jonathan Ikone to seal the victory after riding their luck while leading 1-0.
Montpellier might even settle for a draw here in order to stay a safe distance above the relegations positions. Whatever the hosts' approach, Lorient are playing well enough to avoid defeat.
Recommended Bet
Lay Montpellier @ 2.00
Rennes v Lille (11th v 13th)
Sat, 19:00 BST
Rennes produced one of the most apathetic performances you'll see all year in losing 3-0 at Nancy last weekend. Stuck in mid-table with little to play for the Bretons are freewheeling towards the end of the season and manager Christian Gourcuff looks powerless to inspire his players.
Two places and 4pts below Rennes in the standings, Lille are not yet safe from relegation, and that could be the crucial factor this weekend. The visitors have to try to pick up at least a point and will be confident of doing so against hosts with an appalling win rate.
Rennes have won just one of their last 16 matches, and that sole victory was over Lorient (1-0) at a time when Lorient were rooted to the foot of the table. The hosts are draw specialists - Rennes' tally of 13 draws from 32 fixtures in the highest in the division - so the stalemate or Lille with a small Asian Handicap start are the selections to consider.
For a full guide to Asian Handicap betting, click here.
Recommended Bet
Lille +0&+0.5 Asian handicap @ 1.92
Marseille v St Etienne (6th v 7th)
Sun, 20:00 BST
Live on BT Sport 2
Marseille are without a victory in three games but have too many good players for their winless streak to carry on much longer.
Marseille's 1-1 draw against Dijon in their last home match was sandwiched in between underwhelming 0-0 stalemates at Lille and Toulouse. Manager Rudi Garcia may be concerned, but an attack boasting Dimitri Payet, Florian Thauvin, Remy Cabella and Bafetimbi Gomis is unlikely to keep firing blanks.
This showdown against the team directly below them in the standings represents a great opportunity for Marseille to return to winning ways. One and possibly two members of St Etienne's back four are out, with experienced centre-back Loic Perrin sidelined and left-back Florentin Pogba a serious doubt as well.
Marseille's home record is a terrific W10-D4-L2, with their only two defeats coming against top two sides Monaco and PSG. St Etienne have lost 3/3 away games against the other sides directly above them in the table (Nice, Lyon, Bordeaux) so the chances of the visitors avoiding defeat appear slim.
Recommended Bet
Marseille @ 1.90
0 nhận xét Blogger 0 Facebook
Post a Comment