Ligue 1 Betting: Ex-Hammer Sakho to give Rennes crucial cutting edge

James Eastham picks out the smartest selections across France's top division this weekend....

Back classy Monaco to overcome Toulouse

Toulouse v Monaco (16th v 2nd)
Sat, 16:00 GMT
Live on Betfair Live Video

In-form Monaco should have too much class and attacking quality for Toulouse at Le Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Leonardo Jardim's visitors have developed a real taste for the fight for 2nd place behind PSG in recent weeks so will go into this game pumped-up and determined to win.

It's a sign of Monaco's determination as well as strength as depth that they've won 4-0 in each of their last two Ligue 1 fixtures even though 17-goal top scorer Radamel Falcao missed both games through injury.

Monaco were 4-0 winners at Angers in their last away game and ran out winners by the same scoreline at home to Dijon last weekend.

Keita Balde and Stefan Jovetic have deputised effectively and Monaco will be confident they have enough firepower even if Falcao is missing once again. They will also be fresher than some of their rivals as they've had no Champions League or Europa League matches to contend with in recent weeks.

Toulouse have been more solid defensively since Mickael Debeve was appointed manager last month but their lack of attacking prowess is a concern.

They've scored just twice in four games under Debeve and those goals came against Nice and Troyes, both of whom are inferior to Monaco.

The hosts will struggle to find the net against a solid Monaco side, and the visitors will be confident of finding the net at some point.

Recommended Bet
Back Monaco @ 1.95

Nantes should have too much for poor travellers Amiens

Nantes v Amiens (5th v 18th)
Sat, 19:00 GMT
Live on Betfair Live Video

Nantes' strong home form makes them a good bet to collect all three points against Amiens this weekend.

Nantes' home record is W6-D2-L4 but a much better W5-D1-L0 against sides currently below the top eight. Their ability to see off weak opposition bodes well given Amiens' form in recent weeks.

Amiens have fallen from a season-high ninth in early December to 18th on the back of a run of eight defeats in their last 11 matches (W1-D2-L8).

Amiens' away form is a particular concern: they've lost their last five Ligue 1 away matches, failing to score in four of them.

Nantes are 1.70 to win so we prefer the hosts on the Asian Handicap at nearer evens.

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

Recommended Bet
Nantes -0.5&-1.0 Asian Handicap @ 1.90

Fresh Rennes will have the edge on Troyes

Rennes v Troyes (7th v 15th)
Sat, 19:00 GMT
Live on Betfair Live Video

The attacking focal point that Diafra Sakho has provided makes Rennes the smart bet to beat Troyes this weekend.

The ex-West Ham striker joined Rennes last month and has made an immediate impact: he scored on his debut against PSG in the League Cup and netted both goals in Rennes' 2-2 draw at Caen last weekend.

Sakho has given Rennes' front line the physicality it had been lacking all season, and his presence means that secondary strikers Isamaila Sarr and Wahbi Khazri's work should go to waste less often.

Rennes have been inconsistent this season and that's a concern but they have good team news and ought to be properly motivated as they still stand a realistic chance of qualifying for Europe.

Man for man Troyes are a weaker side and fatigue is a concern for the visitors. They had a rearranged game at home to Dijon (0-0) on Tuesday night so this will be their third fixture in eight days.

Troyes manager Jean-Louis Garcia has a relatively small squad to pick from so through sheer necessity several Troyes players will be making their third start in eight days. Fresher Rennes ought to have enough quality to collect all three points.

Recommended Bet
Rennes -0.5&-1.0 Asian Handicap @ 1.90