Ligue 1 Betting: Goals the smart bet on Riviera thriller

Bordeaux v Rennes (9th v 6th)
Sat, 16:00 GMT
Live on Betfair Live Video

It's hard to see why Bordeaux are close to evens to win this weekend based on how these two sides have played in recent weeks.

Bordeaux were initially bright and positive following the appointment of Gustavo Poyet as manager in January but have lost their way in recent weeks.

Les Girondins have picked up just two points from their last four matches, failing to score in three of those fixtures. They were lacklustre at home to Angers (0-0) last weekend, recording their second consecutive goalless draw in front of their own fans.

Rennes are three places and five points above Bordeaux in the standings, and in much better form.

Their five-games figure are W3-D2-L0 and Rennes have good team news so will be confident of avoiding defeat at least.

With Bordeaux too short, this is a good opportunity to lay the hosts.

Improving Dijon can avoid defeat

Montpellier v Dijon (8th v 10th)
Sat, 19:00 GMT
Live on Betfair Live Video

Montpellier's chances of winning at Stade de la Mosson appear overrated this weekend.

The hosts are 1.70 to claim victory but Dijon can make this a more competitive fixture than those odds suggest.

Montpellier have won only five of their 15 home matches (W5-D7-L3) so their chances of collecting all three points appear limited. Only two of those five home victories have been by a margin of two goals or more so they're unlikely to run out comfortable winners. Montpellier's general form has flatlined in recent weeks, too: they're without a win in their last four matches.

Dijon have a poor home record (W1-D4-L9) but are a better W1-D3-L6 away to non-top four sides. Significantly, they've improved playing on the road in recent weeks: they're unbeaten in their last two away games (2-2 at St Etienne, 0-0 at Troyes) and played better on both occasions than they have done overall this season.

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

Goals on cards as Balotelli returns

Nice v PSG (7th v 1st)
Sun, 12:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport ESPN

An entertaining and absorbing encounter in front of the TV cameras is likely at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday night.

Nice and PSG have served up some sensational attacking football in recent weeks, making a high-scoring encounter likely.

Nice ran out 5-2 winners at Guingamp last weekend, with striker Alassane Plea scoring four times on his best individual performance of the season.

Mario Balotelli returns after missing the win at Guingamp through injury and will be desperate to prove himself this weekend - not only because he'll want to show he remains Nice's primary striker after Plea's exploits last weekend, but also because this high-profile fixture is a fantastic opportunity for him to play his way into Italy's World Cup thoughts and also attract attention from clubs that may be considering making a move for him in the summer transfer market.

PSG ran out 5-0 winners over Metz last weekend and followed-up with a 2-1 victory in a rearranged game against Angers on Wednesday night. Kylian Mbappe scored both goals in the Angers win and will be determined to finish the season strongly, while Edinson Cavani is fit and available and should start.

Both teams' defending has left something to be desired over the past month, so attacks ought to be on top, making Overs the selection.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Lay Bordeaux at home to Rennes at 2.10

Dijon +0.5&+1.0 Asian Handicap at Montpellier @ 2.10

Nice v PSG Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.30