TWO winners from two in last week’s Ligue 1 best bets from Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire). So what’s he got in store us this weekend?
Bastia v Bordeaux | Saturday 19.00
Bastia did the business for us last weekend at Toulouse, going against the grain to collect a point on their travels. But back on the island, they’re a completely different proposition when playing on home soil.
Reserve team boss Ghislain Printant stepped up towards the end of November following Claude Makelele’s sacking and after an initial wobble, has overseen a vast improvement in results and performances. The Corsicans have taken eight points from their last four Ligue 1 outings to move two points above the relegation zone.
When hosting at the Stade Armand Cesari they’ve now W6-D7-L3 including successive wins, one of which came against PSG. They’re confident despite the loss of right-back Drissa Diakite, centre-forward and top goalscorer Junior Tallo, as well as striker François Kamano to the African Cup of Nations.
Visitors Bordeaux must do without a whole host of of players to the same competition. With key striker Cheick Diabate already out for the season, Les Girondins squad is set to be depleted further with attacking midfielder Wahbi Khazri, centre-back and captain Lamine Sane, striker Henri Saivet, defensive midfielder Andre Biyogo Poko, and central midfielder Abdou Traore all away on international duty.
And after their rip-roaring start to the new season, when Willy Sagnol’s side W5-D2-L1 from their opening eight fixtures, Bordeaux have failed to fire in recent weeks. Just one point has been taken from their past four outings whilst they’ve now just W1-D3-L5 in their last nine away Ligue 1 games.
So I’m keen to oppose Les Girondins again this weekend. Bastia can be backed at 5/6 of a 0 start in the Asian Handicap with BetVictor. It’s the same as a punt on the Draw No Bet but we’re getting a slightly bigger quote. It would be a surprise should Bastia get and if the match ends all square we’ll get our cash back.
Guingamp v Lorient | Saturday 19.00
In early October it looked like Guingamp could be in for a tough season fighting against relegation. Seven defeats in their first nine games coupled with Europa League duties was threatening to cripple Jocelyn Gourvennec’s team.
But EAG have bounced back superbly, reaching the knockout phase of the Europa League and winning six of their subsequent 12 league games. That run includes a 13-point haul from their last 18 on offer, with the only loss coming against Marseille last weekend.
Guingamp put in a brave display at the Stade Velodrome and let’s not forget, they beat PSG before the winter break too. This weekend they welcome Lorient to the Stade du Roudourou and with four victories from their last five starts on home soil, look excellent at 13/10 with William Hill.
Lorient have lost seven of their last nine road trips in Ligue 1 and are missing star man Jordan Ayew to the African Cup of Nations. But their woeful away record is nothing new; Les Merlus have been beaten in 60 of their 105 matches they’ve played away since 2009/10. That’s well over 50%!
Lyon v Metz | Sunday 13.00 | BT Sport 1
This match features my European NAP and so I’ve simply copy-pasted the words from my other article below.
The French title race is likely to take another twist this weekend. Sunday night’s meeting between defending champions PSG and fourth-placed St Etienne will capture the nation with Ligue 1 fans savouring the battle at the top.
But it’s league leaders Lyon who should be our main focus. Les Gones’ incredible run shows no sign of stopping and as Hubert Fournier’s side continue to bag us winning bets; we shouldn’t desert them on Sunday.
Lyon made light work of Lens last time out to make it 11 league victories in 13. Unsurprisingly, one of Europe’s most in-form strikers Alexandre Lacazette was again on the scoresheet. He’s now netted in his last five league outings and 20 Ligue 1 goals already this campaign.
This weekend they host a Metz side that are struggling to stay afloat. Since September, the newly-promoted team have recorded W1-D3-L9 in Ligue 1 action and failed to score in eight of those 13 fixtures. Their away form is just as alarming having collected just five points from 33 available.
The bet this weekend is to take Lyon -1 start at 23/20 with Boylesports. We’ll have ourselves a winner should Les Gones beat Metz by two goals or more.
Fournier’s charges have managed to record victories by a two-goal margin or better in 10 of their 14 league wins already this season whilst Metz have lost by a similar margin in six of their eight away losses.
The visitors have managed a paltry three goals on their travels this term, failing to net in eight of their 11 road games and incredibly, Alexandre Lacazette has actually scored one more league goal himself, than Metz have managed altogether!
Best Bets
Bastia v Bordeaux – Bastia 0 Asian Handicap (5/6 BetVictor)
Guingamp v Lorient – Guingamp to win (13/10 William Hill)
Lyon v Metz – Lyon -1 Asian Handicap (23/20 Boylesports)
