As we’re fortunate enough to get a whole round of Ligue 1 on a Wednesday our man-of-travels Matthew O’Regan digs into the action, delivering three betting angles that catch his eager eye!
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Angers
Angers, France. Home of silky Moroccan footballers, a leaky defence and the largest medieval tapestry in the world- what’s not to love? Ligue 1’s bottom club host Paris juggernauts PSG. Separated by 300km & 36 points in the league, both sides are miles away from each other -in more ways than one.
Despite picking up only 8 points from 17 games and losing 9 on the bounce, there is a lot to admire about Abdel Bouhazama’s side. They attempt to- albeit unsuccessfully, play football on the front foot. The spearheads of this are Moroccan duo Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane Boufal. I could (and have many times!) wax lyrical about Ounahi, but I will spare readers of my fan-boying for the time being. Instead, this bet will focus on his international team-mate, Boufal.
The 29-year-old Paris born winger has been a bright spark in an otherwise dim season for Le SCO. Dazzling dribbling aside, the ex-Southampton attacker has shown quality in the final third, boasting 6 goal contributions in 8 league starts. His willingness to take his man on and shoot-on-sight makes him a bettor’s dream.
The last time these two teams faced off, Boufal hit 2 shots inside 13 minutes before getting injured. This shot form has continued this season. In 720 minutes of football, he’s hit 22 shots, an average of 1 every 32 minutes.
With Messi, Mbappe, Neymar & Co back in action, PSG should comfortably dispatch lowly Angers but I expect Boufal to be at the forefront of any Angers attacks. Christophe Galtier’s side are bound to be open at the back with the team centred round the star-studded front 3, shown by them conceding 10+ shots in 7 of their last 8 games, the exception the 9 that Lorient hit. If PSG take an expected early lead, this should give Abdel Bouhazama’s side some freedom to express themselves offensively.
Betting angle: Sofiane Boufal two or more shots
Best price: 2.25 @ Bet365
Lorient vs. Monaco
A potentially barnstorming game in Western France as 6th placed Lorient host 5th placed Monaco.
Régis Le Bris’ Lorient side have been many neutral’s French team of choice, due to their high intensity, attacking first football. 3 players in particular have caught the eye. Terem Moffi,Dango Ouattara and Enzo Le Fee have been linked with moves away, with Les Merlus looking to cash in on the star trio. Moffi, 23, has been in stellar goalscoring form with 10 goals in 16. 20-year-old Burkina Faso winger Ouattara has 9 goal contributions in 16 starts, exciting fans with his direct running. Enzo Le Fee is a versatile 22-year-old who anchors the midfield. It’s an exciting team and European qualification surely beckons sooner rather than later for Lorient.
Monaco are fresh off of a shock cup defeat to Ligue 2 side Rodez, so will be looking to avenge this in a tough trip to the sea. Philippe Clement has an abundance of attacking talent at his disposal, with Breel Embolo, Wissam Ben Yedder and Aleksandr Golovin all impressing thus far. They’ve scored 33 goals in 17 games, an average just shy of 2 goals a game.
Over 2.5 goals has landed in 4/8 away games for Les Rouge et Blanc. They have the 2nd best away record, behind leaders PSG. Their travels aren’t shy of goals, with these games averaging over 3 goals a game. Lorient home games have seen over 2.5 in 6/8 and a league high 71% all season. Le Bris side have scored 12 and conceded 11 in 8 home games, with games at Stade du Moustoir averaging just below 3 a game.
An end-to-end entertaining spectacle is on the cards in Lorient, so the over 2.5-3.0 goal line with Bet 365 is a bet I am keen on.
Betting angle: Over 2.5,3.0 goal line
Best price: 1.89 @ William Hill & Bet365
Strasbourg vs. Lens
Lens have been the fairytale story of the season, far exceeding expectations sat in 2nd, 4 points off table-toppers PSG. They travel to 2nd bottom Strasbourg in a crucial game at both ends of the table.
Franck Haise has won plenty of plaudits for his tactical versatility and his easy-on-the-eye football. Setting up in a 3-4-3, his Lens side are hard to beat, boasting the best defensive record in the league with only 11 conceded. Argentinian centre-half Facundo Medina has been key to this, with the 23-year-old one of the standout defenders in the league. The goals are provided by 22 year old Lois Openda, with the shot machine scoring 8 goals in 12 starts.
Strasbourg have struggled all season, with their only win coming away at bottom club Angers. Julien Stéphan’s side have the 2nd worst home record in Ligue 1 and have lost 3 on the bounce.
2nd placed Lens should be too strong for lowly Strasbourg, so i’m surprised at the generous price for a Lens win.
Betting angle: Lens to win
Best price: 2.0 @ William Hill – 1.91 @ Bet365 for Early Payout
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