Dermot is looking at three home victories in this week’s 10/1 treble
French football is once again overshadowed by off-field incidents after Marseille Vs Lyon was called off last week. The visitors team bus was attacked by “fans” which left manager Fabio Grosso with facial injuries. On the field that game along with the abandoned Montpellier Vs Clermont game has skewed the table a little. Not that either game would affect the current top 5 as just 5 points separate Nice from 5th-placed Reims in the Ligue 1 table. One of the challengers to Nice open the weekend when 2nd placed PSG host Montpellier. Possibly the biggest game of the weekend is when Marseille host Lille on Saturday evening. The week ends when the incredibly consistent Nice meet the incredibly inconsistent Rennes in The Riviera.
Marseille v Lille Prediction
Sat 04 Nov 20:00
Marseille should be well rested having not played last week giving them a bit more time to prepare for this game. The Velódrome is becoming a bit of a fortress again, even in Marcelino’s much-maligned 7 game stint. Current manager Gennaro Gattuso will have the home crowd revved up as he tries to get OM back into Ligue 1 contention. I’d side with the home side in this game even if Lille have more points at this stage of the season. Lille are a very solid side but they have been doing just enough to stay in games on the road. I’m not sure Paulo Fonseca’s usual away day set-up will work here as I’d expect the home side to be on top early on.
Marseille to win @ 5/4
Strasbourg v Clermont Foot Prediction
Sun 05 Nov 14:00
I feel like a broken record picking teams to beat Clermont but they seem to be always in a spot to be beaten. This week is no different as Strasbourg’s home form versus Strasbourg’s away form is incomparable. Bar Clermont’s surprise win in Lyon they haven’t any form at all, despite having more possession in 8 out of 10 games (including the abandoned game at Montpellier). While Patrick Vieira is still trying to find the right blend in a side with plenty of potential, this is the ideal spot to end a 4-game winless streak.
Strasbourg to win @ 11/8
Nice v Rennes Prediction
Sun 05 Nov 19:45
Nice sit on top of Ligue 1 despite having been outscored by 10 other teams. The difference though is very few teams have been able to break Francesco Farioli’s side down. Like an old-style Italian Catenaccio defence, the Les Aiglons have only conceded 4 goals in 10 games. For context, the next best is Parisian juggernauts PSG with 9 conceded. Rennes away form has been quite poor this season. Only bottom-side Lyon have scored less on the road than Bruno Genesio’s side. It won’t be pretty but Nice still being odds against has plenty of appeal.
Nice to win @ 11/10
Ligue 1 Smart Bets
Marseille to win @ 5/4
Strasbourg to win @ 11/8
Nice to win @ 11/10
Above in a treble (best priced): 10/1
