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Genesis is an expert on all things French football and runs an excellent Twitter channel here. There is a whole lot more to Ligue 1 than simply PSG, Messi, Mbappe and Neymar. It is increasingly becoming a highly entertaining league with a wealth of young and exciting talent.
Each week, Genesis will be sharing his inside knowledge on the happenings within French Football and Ligue 1, so you can be well equipped to spot value betting opportunities each week.
Week 36 – Ligue 1 Betting Tips | French Football Betting
This week, game week 36, I am taking a look at some of the main challengers for European places as that race really hots up. Worth noting that it is also the French Cup final this weekend, Nice v Nantes. The winner goes into the Europa League and thus the result could well affect the number of other European qualifiers in Ligue 1. I don’t think it will be a classic by the way.
Last week I predicted that a fired up Strasbourg would sneak past a distracted PSG. In the end they drew 3-3. I said that Nice would beat Bordeaux, they did just that although only 1-0. Finally, I said that Troyes and Lille would play out a low scoring draw……Troyes thumped Lille 3-0. An embarrassing result for Les Dogues. Let’s take a look at the games this weekend that will play a role in defining the race for European places.
Let’s look at GW36.
Check out our mid-season review of the 2022 Ligue 1 season here
Here are the latest betting odds for Ligue 1 at the time of publishing:
Let’s take a look at this week’s focus games for game week 34.
Lille vs Monaco
The odds have Lille as a slight favourite in this one. I disagree. Lille have pretty much nothing to play for having been savaged 3-0 by Troyes last week. Plus, likely suspensions for Yilmaz and Renato Sanches mean that Lille will also be weakened. Monaco on the other hand are full guns blazing for Europe. They have won 7 games in a row, including huge wins against PSG, Rennes and OGC Nice in that run. Monaco will also welcome back key players Aurelien Tchouameni, Vanderson and Axel Disasi for this one. As such, there is no way, in my mind that Monaco lose this. After Marseille’s slip up last week, Monaco are only 3 points off them, level with Rennes on 62 points. Lille, with only one win in their last six games, lagging in 10th place and 9 points off Europe will roll over.
Ligue 1 – Both Teams To Score – Betting Odds
Metz vs Lyon
Metz are as good as relegated. They sit rock bottom on 25 points, 8 points from safety and six points off the playoff place. They are already making preparations for life in Ligue 2 next season. I still cannot understand why they kept some of their most talented youngsters, like Yousef Maziz, on loan at sister club Seraing for the whole season. That was an act of self-harm. They have only won 4 games all season, conceding 62 goals in the process. They have not won in 14 games. And while they did manage to scrape a draw against Lyon in December (1-1), that is not how this one will go. Lyon, while still frustratingly inconsistent, have only lost one game in their last seven. They have managed to drag themselves right back into the race for European qualification, sat on 55 points, 5 points of 5th place. And in their last 4 games, they have beaten Bordeaux (6-1), Montpellier (5-2) and most impressively dismantled Marseille (3-0) last weekend. Indeed, Lyon have been incredibly strong recently against the bottom sides. With Romain Faivre likely back and able to take his place on the right again, the exciting Malo Gusto and Castello Lukeba nailing down their spots and Moussa Dembele showing signs of life, Lyon will win this won by two goals or more.
Ligue 1 – Over 2.5 Goals – Betting Odds
Lorient vs Marseille
Marseille will be smarting from their loss to Lyon last weekend. Europe was becoming a bit of a distraction. Not any more mind you. They are now no longer secure in second place. Rennes and Monaco are breathing down their necks and are both on hot form. Lorient are all but safe from automatic relegation but still need wins to pull away from St Etienne in the relegation playoff place. They have won 2 of their last 5 games. And they will pose Marseille some problems at home. They will need Moffi, Lauriente and Le Fee on top form and able to finish the chances created. That has been Lorient’s major issue recently. And if they fail to finish chances here, Marseille, no matter how tired or stumbling in form, will punish them. Marseille will be tired mentally and physically after a sapping midweek match. The odds have Marseille as favourites, I think this might be a tighter affair than predicted. A lot will depend on Dimitri Payet as usual. But more specifically, his fitness. He can off with a lower leg issue against Feyenoord. It could get out of hand if the wrong Lorient turn up. But I have a feeling Lorient will compete here and go down guns blazing. Marseille will win, but only by a goal.
Reims vs Lens
Reims should not be underestimated. Especially by a sometimes inconsistent Lens. Lens are in the same position as Lyon. They have 55 points and are 5 points off 5th placed OGC Nice in the European places. And recently they seem to have shaken off their inconsistency, losing only 2 in their last 12, they are unbeaten in their last 5 games. Talismanic Seko Fofana looks unlike stopping his superb season. And alongside Jonathan Clauss, Cheikh Doucoure and Arnaud Kalimuendo, Lens have talent across the pitch and able to change games. Reims have done superbly well to stay up. And with that safety confirmed, they could well have their minds on other things. The odds have Lens as favourites, and I agree with them. They should win this one. But it may well be a tighter affair than some may expect.