FRENCH football expert Gary Clarke (@Gaz_Tips) shares this thoughts on Saturday's clash between Bordeaux and Metz.
Bordeaux v Metz | Saturday 12th August 2017, 19:00
Bordeaux enjoyed a relatively decent start last weekend, drawing 2-2 at Angers.
No doubt Les Girondins will have been disappointed to concede an 88th minute equaliser, but having been dumped out of the Europa League on away goals by Videoton just a couple of days prior, they can feel OK about the result.
Jocelyn Gourvennec's men are a pretty solid unit – as they are every season – built strong at the back, and this year’s X-Factor is Brazilian winger Malcolm, who had a good game last weekend.
Rotten travellers
Metz had a very poor start last weekend; losing to Guingamp at home is a terrible result as they are normally awful on their travels.
The visitors lost Ismaila Sarr in the summer – he’s a massive miss and they will be now be looking for goals from former Lille man Nolan Roux. Although he scored last week, relying on him week-in week-out is not gong to get them very far.
Yann Jouffre and Renaud Cohade were good players a few seasons ago but they are past it now, as is centre-half Milan Bisevac who was dire against Guingamp.
The betting angle
Metz lost 12 of 19 games away from their Stade Saint Symphorien home last term and I can’t see anything but another loss here. Although I think Bordeaux should win comfortably enough,
I feel I have to take a bit of safety and the –1 Asian Handicap (10/13 188BET) appeals here as they are a team that I cannot completely trust to break teams down.
This selection sees our stake returned should Bordeaux only win by a one-goal margin with a victory by two or more goals returning profit.
Best Bets
Bordeaux v Metz – Bordeaux -1 Asian Handicap (10/13 188BET)
