After three winners from three selections last weekend, James Eastham picks the best bets ahead of the latest round of action in France’s top flight…
“Montpellier have lost four of their last five matches and have team news problems, too: this weekend, ex-Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho and eight-goal top scorer Stephy Mavididi are both ruled out.”
Best Bet: Back Nice to win at Montpellier @ 2.47/5
Nice set to win again
Montpellier v Nice (11th v 2nd)
Sat, 16:00 GMT
Live on Betfair Live Video
Second-place Nice will be confident of picking up three points from this trip across the south of France to face Montpellier on Saturday afternoon.
Christophe Galtier’s visitors sit second in Ligue 1 and are in good shape to claim a Champions League spot this season.
They’ll head into the game with tremendous confidence after their 1-0 home win over PSG last weekend.
We supported Nice in that match and their performance against the league leaders showed what a dangerous side they’ve become.
Galtier has a full squad available this weekend and Nice also have tremendous away stats. They’re W8-D2-L3 on the road, the division’s second-best away record.
Montpellier have lost four of their last five matches and have team news problems, too.
Ex-Liverpool and Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho is ruled out. Without him, the defence is far more vulnerable.
Front man Stephy Mavididi is missing as well. The ex-Arsenal trainee is Montpellier’s eight-goal top scorer, and the hosts will miss his pace and the chances he creates for others as well as his goals.
Nice are 2.47/5 to win the game. Given their away form, Montpellier’s form and team news on both sides, the visitors are our strong selection.
Low goals the smart pick
Troyes vs Nantes (16th v 6th)
Sat, 20:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport 3 and Betfair Live Video
A low-scoring encounter looks likely when Troyes host Nantes on Saturday evening.
Troyes earned a 2-0 win away to relegation rivals Bordeaux last weekend and manager Bruno Irles will look for a similarly secure defensive performance here.
A naturally conservative coach, Irles has installed a back five, and even at home his side are likely to play cautiously.
Troyes recently conceded nine goals in two matches – they lost 4-1 at Rennes and 5-1 at Brest – so being more solid at the back has become their priority.
The hosts will do everything they can to shut down a Nantes attack that contains some dangerous players.
France U21 striker Randal Kolo Muani is Nantes’ 10-goal top scorer and has already agreed a deal to move to Eintracht Frankfurt next season.
Flanking him are Ludovic Blas – also likely to be plying his trade for a bigger club next season – and Nigeria winger Moises Simon, who cuts in effectively from the left.
Those three will pose a major threat but Troyes’ blanket defence looks capable of smothering them, at least for some of the encounter.
Under 2.5 Goals is available at 1.664/6. On the Goal Lines market, Under 2.0 & 2.5 is available at 1.8810/11. With this selection, you’ll make a profit as long as the game has two goals or fewer.
Source: BetFair Tips
