Ligue 1 Betting: PSG to set standard as new season kicks-off

PSG v Amiens
Sat, 16:00 BST

All the talk is about Neymar this week but even without their new Brazilian superstar the club from the French capital should breeze past Amiens on Saturday afternoon.

PSG are still smarting from relinquishing their Ligue 1 crown last season so will look to start the season with a bang. Julian Draxler is the only first-choice player absent this weekend, while PSG proved they were sharp and hungry in seeing off Monaco 2-1 in the Champions Trophy last Saturday.

Amiens are embarking on their first-ever Ligue 1 campaign so are among the favourites for relegation. Manager Christophe Pelissier's barely strengthened his squad over the summer owing to the club's lack of pulling power and weak financial position. As a result the Picardie-based outfit go into the season with a group of players that will struggle to survive, let alone bridge the gap that separates them from top sides such as PSG.

PSG overcame a -2.5 handicap line six times at home last season. They ought to do so here because they're considerably stronger than the visitors all over the pitch.

For a full Asian handicap betting guide, click here.

Recommended Bet
PSG -2.5 Asian handicap @ 2.08


Troyes v Rennes
Sat, 19:00 BST

Rennes finished 9th last season and should do better this time after rejuvenating their side.

Slow and predictable in 2016-17, they'll have more energy now thanks to three new signings. Ismaila Sarr (Metz, £15m) and Faitout Maouassa (Nancy, £6m) are fast, direct wingers that deliver an end product, while Benjamin Bourigeaud (Lens, £2.3m) is a dynamic midfielder with the skill and ambition to succeed in the French top flight.

Troyes are a newly promoted side that have barely strengthened over the summer so a relegation battle beckons. They played some lovely football in Ligue 2 but there are legitimate questions about how many of their players can step up to Ligue 1 football.

It's a surprise Rennes are underdogs considering their top-half finish last season and clever transfer business. Back the visitors to avoid defeat.

Recommended Bet
Rennes Draw No Bet @ 2.02


Lille v Nantes
Sun, 14:00 BST
Live on BT Sport 3

These two clubs appointed new managers over the summer but the contrast in mood could not be starker.

Marcelo Bielsa has led a revolution at Lille. Under his guidance the club's embarked on its biggest-ever spending spree, meaning the team could line-up with as many as eight new players on Sunday afternoon. Bielsa's Lille will be a lot more dynamic and attack-minded than last season: they beat Rennes 4-2 in their final pre-season friendly and go into this game hungry, focused and with a squad bristling with competition.

The mood at Nantes is sombre. Inspirational manager Sergio Conceicao walked out in June and successor Claudio Ranieri has failed to excite fans. Nantes' lack of transfer activity's a concern and the players have had little time to adapt to the back three the veteran Italian manager appears set to introduce.

Given that Lille have powered forwards and Nantes gone backwards since last season the hosts' price of 2.30 makes little sense. Those odds are unlikely to last on Lille against lower-ranking visitors, so catch them while you can.

Recommended Bet
Lille @ 2.30