St Etienne strong enough to avoid defeat

Lille v St Etienne (2nd v 4th)
Sat, 16:00 BST
Live on Betfair Live Video
This promises to be one of the weekend's most absorbing contests and St Etienne are the smarter selection of the two teams.
There's just one point between the sides in the Ligue 1 table so it's hard to justify Lille's status as clear favourites to claim victory (they're 2.10).
The hosts have been the surprise package of the season and are playing some tremendous football. In Nicolas Pepe, Jonathan Ikone and Jonathan Bamba they have a quick, mobile and skilful front three that have inspired a 100% home record (W4-D0-L0).
Yet St Etienne look set to be Lille's most testing opponents. Jean-Louis Gasset's side are unbeaten in seven games (W4-D3-L0) against all sides bar runaway leaders PSG this season and will be confident of avoiding defeat.
Wahbi Khazri inspired St Etienne's 2-0 win over Monaco last weekend and there's a solidity and finesse about St Etienne that suggests les Verts will be a top-six side this season.
With St Etienne's chances underrated, a lay of Lille is the smart play.

Back three works wonders for Strasbourg

Angers vs Strasbourg (11th vs 8th)
Sat, 19:00 BST
Live on Betfair Live Video
Strasbourg's impressive form over the past couple of weeks makes them the smart choice to avoid defeat this weekend.
Since introducing a three-man defence last month the Alsatians have looked more solid defensively and more dangerous going forward.
The quick and powerful Kenny Lala is excelling as a right-wing-back, while the addition of an extra centre-back (currently Anthony Caci) has given the team firmer foundations. Strasbourg were unlucky to lose to an injury-time winner at Marseille (2-3) a fortnight ago and produced their best performance of the season in beating Dijon (3-0) last weekend.
Angers are not necessarily any weaker than Strasbourg but it's hard to justify their price as 2.40 favourites. The hosts' poor home record counts against them, too: they're W1-D1-L2 at Stade Jean-Bouin and their failure to beat Toulouse (0-0), Nimes (3-4) and bottom club Guingamp (0-1) is a genuine concern.
Strasbourg are an appealing 3.40 to collect all three points. Back them to win or support the visitors on the Draw No Bet market.

Majestic PSG to triumph in style

PSG v Lyon (1st v 5th)
Sun, 20:00 BST
Live on BT Sport 1 and Betfair Live Video
PSG are in such dazzling form they're capable of blowing away all Ligue 1 opposition with the minimum of fuss.
Lyon might just be the second-best side in France's top flight but that won't stop them being on the receiving end of a heavy defeat at Parc des Princes on Sunday night.
It's impossible to see the visitors putting up too much resistance given the scintillating performances Paris have posted in domestic competition since the start of the season.
Thomas Tuchel's side have won eight games out of eight in Ligue 1, recording a +21 goal difference in the process. Each of their eight victories has come by a margin of two or more goals.
At home PSG have looked unstoppable. They've won five out of five in all competitions, seeing off Caen (3-0), Angers (3-1), St Etienne (4-0), Reims (4-1) and Red Star Belgrade (6-1) with almost embarrassing ease.
Neymar continues to face criticism over his World Cup displays but for PSG he's been sharp and focused in recent weeks. He posted a nine out of 10 performance in the win over Red Star Belgrade and ranks second in L'Equipe newspaper's player ratings for the season so far.
The personal battle between the Brazilian, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe appears to be bringing out the best in all three of them. Between them they've scored 16 of PSG's 21 league goals, with Neymar (7) slightly ahead of the other two.
What hope is there for Lyon? Not much, although PSG's defensive frailties will encourage the visitors: Tuchel's hosts have conceded in five of eight Ligue 1 games, and in seven of 11 games in all competitions.
Over 90 minutes, however, the capital outfit ought to win comfortably. Back the hosts on the Asian Handicap.
RECOMMENDED BETS
Lay Lille at home to St Etienne @ 2.12
Strasbourg Draw No Bet at Angers @ 2.40
PSG -1.5 Asian Handicap v Lyon @ 1.95

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