Ligue 1 Betting: PSG set to extinguish Nice's faint title hopes

Nantes v Lorient (8th v 16th)
Sat, 19:00 BST

Lorient are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table and their need for points should make this an open and entertaining match.

The visitors have staged a remarkable recovery in recent weeks, recording four wins from their last five matches to climb out of the bottom three. They're only 2pts above the relegation zone, however, so have a long way to go until they'll feel safe.

It's significant that Lorient's recovery has been based on excellent attacking play rather than stoic defending: they've scored 13 times in their last five games, but have conceded in nine of their last 10 fixtures and have Ligue 1's second-worst defensive record.

Nantes are in mid-table with little to play for but that didn't stop them winning 2-0 at Caen last weekend. A large crowd should ensure a motivated performance and the return after suspension of striker Prejuce Nakoulma, who's scored five times in his last five starts, improves the hosts' chances of finding the net.

Recommended Bet
Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.90

Caen v Marseille (17th v 6th)
Sun, 14:00 BST
Live on BT Sport Extra 3

Marseille have disappointed in recent away games but Rudi Garcia's visitors are surely too good to keep dropping points on the road.

Their last three away games have ended in goalless draws at Nancy, Toulouse and Lille but there is so much talent in the Marseille ranks they're bound to come good sooner rather than later.

This weekend 17-goal top scorer Bafetimbi Gomis returns from suspension to bolster a forward line that also contains Dimitri Payet, Remy Cabella and Florian Thauvin. At Ligue 1 level these players are capable of inflicting considerable damage on most opposition.

Visitors Caen are just 1pt and one place above the bottom three so go into the game under serious pressure. They lost meekly at home (0-2) to a Nantes side that had nothing to play for last weekend; it was their fourth straight home defeat and their sixth in their last seven matches at Stade Michel d'Ornano.

Against a side with such disastrous home form, the odds-against price on the visitors is too good to overlook.

Recommended Bet
Back Marseille @ 2.08

Nice v PSG (3rd v 2nd)
Sun, 20:00 BST
Live on BT Sport 3

There may be only one place separating these sides in the Ligue 1 table but PSG ought to be strong enough to inflict the first home defeat of the season on Nice in the big showdown on Sunday night.

This is Nice's last chance to stay in the Ligue 1 title race - they go into the weekend 6pts behind leaders Monaco having played a game more, so really need a victory to stay in touch with their neighbours from along the Riviera - but the hosts are unlikely to be able to hold PSG at bay.

The visitors arrive on an eight-game Ligue 1 winning streak and have won 12 of their last 13 games in all competitions (their sole defeat being their 6-1 collapse at Barcelona in the Champions League). With good team news - left-back Layvin Kurzawa is the capital outfit's only serious injury doubt, and veteran Brazilian Maxwell is an excellent understudy - Unai Emery's side will be confident of controlling the game.

Nice are already sure of finishing in the top three but have dropped points in seven of 15 games (W8-D6-L1) in 2017 and were soundly beaten at Monaco (3-0) the only time during that run they faced a team of PSG's calibre.

PSG are short odds (1.60) to win so the visitors on the Asian handicap are the selection.

For a guide to Asian Handicap betting, click here.

Recommended Bet

PSG -1 Asian Handicap @ 2.00