Ligue 1 Betting: Third time lucky as PSG prepare to claim title

Marseille to maintain European challenge

Guingamp vs Marseille (19th vs 5th)
Sat, 16:00 BST
Live on Betfair Live Video

There's so much at stake for both teams as they face-off this weekend but Marseille should have too much quality for the struggling hosts. Rudi Garcia's visitors are chasing a Champions League spot and their extra firepower ought to make the difference at Stade du Roudourou.

The absence through injury of Mario Balotelli is a blow as the Italy striker has scored seven goals in 11 appearances (at a rate of a goal every 97 minutes) since joining Marseille from Nice in the January transfer window. Yet Marseille can call upon Valere Germain, fit-again winger Lucas Ocampos and Dimitri Payet to earn their side the points. The latter will have a point to prove having only recently been recalled to the starting line-up after being dropped for several weeks.

Guingamp are one of three clubs (Caen and Dijon being the others) that look destined to finish in the bottom three positions. The race is now on to finish 18th as that would mean taking part in the relegation playoffs rather than suffering automatic demotion to Ligue 2.

Guingamp's W3-D5-L8 home record is a concern, however, especially as Guingamp are the sort of opponents Marseille have generally dispatched with ease on the road this season: l'OM's away record against sides currently in the bottom-half is W5-D1-L2.

Lille's pace to win out again

Toulouse vs Lille (15th vs 2nd)
Sun, 14:00 BST
Live on BT Sport Extra 2 and Betfair Live Video

The difference in motivation between these two sides could be the key factor at Le Stadium on Saturday night. Toulouse are comfortably tucked away in mid-table with nothing to play for while a rampant Lille are hungry to clinch second place as soon as possible.

Since the turn of the year Toulouse's only ambition has been to avoid relegation and that's virtually achieved now. They're 10 points clear of the bottom three with six rounds of games to go so Alain Casanova's unremarkable side may well relax during the weeks ahead.

Lille produced one of the outstanding performances of the season when they thrashed champions-elect PSG 5-1 last weekend. There were mitigating circumstances - an already-depleted PSG were further weakened when they had a player sent off and lost two other players to injury before half-time - yet the pace and quality of Lille's super-speedy 'BIP-BIP!'front line - comprising Jonathans Bamba and Ikone and Nicolas Pepe - was breathtaking at times.

The pace and precision that Lille have shown on the break in so many of their away games this season makes their odds-against price appealing vs opponents that have so little to play for.

St Etienne have edge over rivals

Reims vs St Etienne (7th vs 4th)
Sun, 16:00 BST
Live on BT Sport Extra 2 and Betfair Live Video

A competitive game is likely between these two sides chasing a European place and visitors St Etienne should have the edge. Their greater depth and variety in the final third ought to prove the difference on an intense and entertaining night.

On their return to Ligue 1 Reims have done better than anybody expected this season and can be proud of how they've performed even if they finish below the European berths. Other than 10-goal top scorer Remi Oudin, however, Reims can be a little one-dimensional in the final third.

St Etienne' recent run of good form means they've not yet given up hope of catching and overtaking local rivals Lyon - currently three points ahead of them in the standings - to claim the third and final Champions League spot. St Etienne have won three and drawn one of their last four games, scoring 12 times in the process.

Twin playmakers Wahbi Khazri and Remy Cabella have been in excellent form while Robert Beric, Romain Hamouma, Arnaud Nordin and even full-back Mathieu Debuchy - who scored twice in St Etienne's 3-0 win over Bordeaux last weekend - have played good supporting roles.

As slight underdogs St Etienne are worth considering to win the game at 3.00. Good alternative markets include St Etienne 0 Asian Handicap or St Etienne Draw No Bet (DNB). For a full guide to Asian Handicap betting, click here.

Celebrations in French capital

PSG vs Monaco (1st vs 16th)
Sun, 20:00 BST
Live on BT Sport 1 and Betfair Live Video

PSG have twice flunked opportunities to wrap up the Ligue 1 title but it should be third time lucky as Thomas Tuchel's side host Monaco at Parc des Princes on Sunday night. With much better team news Paris are a good bet to claim all three points and finally give their fans something to cheer about.

Last weekend' humiliating 5-1 defeat at Lille and 3-2 loss in a rearranged game at Nantes on Tuesday night mean the champagne has been on ice but Paris now look ready to pop the corks. Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani should return from injury for this match while there's an outside chance of Neymar playing some part as he recovers from foot injury. Whether the Brazil superstar makes it or not PSG will be able to field a considerably stronger line-up than they have done in recent weeks.

Monaco's starting line-up is one of the best three or four in the division but their form has tailed off a little over the past month (W0-D2-L1). Motivation could also be an issue: with a seven-point cushion over the bottom three and only six rounds of matches to go, the Principality outfit are virtually safe from relegation, and will have far easier games than this in the weeks ahead to pick up the final few points they need.

PSG are 1.51 to win, which is much longer than they have been for most of their home matches this season. The big odds on the hosts throw up a rare opportunity to back PSG with a -1.0 start on the Asian Handicap market.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Marseille to win at Guingamp @ 2.00

Lille to win at Toulouse @ 2.30

St Etienne Draw No Bet at Reims @ 2.20

PSG -1.0 Asian Handicap vs Monaco @ 1.80