Ligue 1 Betting: Big guns have the ammo to win

The race for a top-three spot is the place to focus your activity this weekend, writes James Eastham...

Jardim's boys to close in on second spot

Monaco v Nantes (2nd v 8th)
Sat, 16:00 BST
Live on Betfair Live Video

Monaco are chasing runners-up spot and will fully expect to beat an out-of-form Nantes this weekend.

The hosts are destined to relinquish their Ligue 1 title to PSG but have a new objective as they're looking to keep Marseille a safe distance behind them so they can earn an automatic Champions League berth.

Monaco dropped points at Rennes (1-1) on Wednesday night but have good team news this weekend and should be strong enough to collect all three points.

Leonardo Jardim's hosts have a tremendous W13-D2-L0 home record against all sides bar PSG. Nantes were beaten 3-0 at home to St Etienne last weekend and are likely to struggle again on Saturday.

Nantes have won just two of their 12 Ligue 1 fixtures in 2018 (W2-D5-L5) and those victories came against Troyes and Guingamp, both much weaker than Monaco.

Monaco are 1.55 to win so we prefer the hosts on the handicap.

For a full guide to Asian Handicap betting click here.

Lyon renaissance set to continue

Metz v Lyon (20th v 4th)
Sun, 16:00 BST
Live on BT Sport ESPN and Betfair Live Video

Lyon are on a run of three consecutive victories and will expect to make that four at Stade Saint-Symphorien this weekend.

Lyon are chasing a top-three spot and have moved to within two points of third-placed Marseille thanks to their run of wins heading into Sunday's fixture.

Bruno Genesio's visitors have reserved their best performances for away days: they ran out 5-0 winners at Nice, Troyes and St Etienne this season and will be confident of a handsome victory this time.

Metz are rooted to the foot of the table and have struggled against Ligue 1's better sides this season.

The hosts' 2017-18 record against France's top four (PSG, Monaco, Marseille, Lyon) is seven games, seven defeats and a minus 20 goal difference.

Seven points adrift at the foot of the table, Metz will have to take risks to try to claim an unlikely win, and that will play straight into Lyon's hands.

Marseille to bounce back from European defeat

Marseille v Montpellier (3rd v 6th)
Sun, 20:00 BST
Live on BT Sport 3 and Betfair Live Video

Marseille are a formidable home side and should collect all three points against Montpellier in the big televised clash on Sunday night.

Rudi Garcia's hosts will be smarting after their 1-0 Europa League quarter-final first leg defeat at Red Bull Leipzig on Thursday night but have been good at re-focusing on domestic matters after European nights this season.

Marseille's Ligue 1 home record is W9-D2-L1 against non-top four sides, suggesting they'll pick up all three points as long as their focus is right.

Montpellier have enjoyed top-half status all season and have good away stats (W5-D7-L3) but have struggled away from home against Ligue 1's better clubs since the start of the year.

Defeats at PSG (0-4) and Monaco in the League Cup (0-2) suggest they'll struggle to live with Marseille this weekend if the hosts have recovered from their trip to Germany.

Marseille are odds-on (1.65) to win so we prefer Marseille/Marseille on the Half Time/Full Time market or Marseille on the Asian Handicap.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Monaco -1.0 Asian Handicap at Nantes @ 1.90

Lyon -1.0 Asian Handicap at Metz @ 1.85

Marseille -1.0 Asian Handicap vs Montpellier @ 2.10