Dermo breaks down his 10/1 treble with all Ligue 1 games that have a 20:00 kick-off on Saturday
As is tradition in Ligue 1, all teams will be in action at the same time for the remaining two weekends. PSG will be champions with any positive result (or any negative result for Lens) away to Strasbourg. The Alsace sides sole focus will be keeping the score down above all (Nantes are 5pts behind with an 11 goal difference to overcome) even though they are all but assured of Ligue 1 football next year. Auxerre travel to Toulouse knowing a win and a loss to Lille for Les Canaries will see them retain their status for next season. Monaco won’t have Champions League football next season but Lille, Rennes & Lyon are still in play for the remaining European spot (even if it’s unlikely for OL at this stage). It’s the middle of those teams where this week’s treble starts off.
Rennes Vs Monaco
Sat 27th 20:00
A 3-1 loss at Lyon last week extinguished Monaco’s faint hopes of a spot in the Champions League next season. There are still plenty of scenarios where they go from potentially playing in Europe’s top club football competition to none at all in the space of 3 games. 4pts from 15 has seen the Principality side on their worst run of the season at the worst possible time. It’s not an injury or suspension crisis at the heart of it so one would have to question the heart of the squad. It probably doesn’t help that manager Philippe Clement’s job has been a public debate in the media since the start of March when there really shouldn’t have been any. Now it may have become the distraction that unravels their season.
Rennes put 5-0 past AC Ajaccio last week to signal their intentions for the remaining games. Bruno Genesio’s public approval of loanee Joe Rodon has been rewarded with back-to-back clean sheet’s for Les Rouge et Noirs. They scored 9 goals over the past 2 games and a lot of that can be attributed to the form of fit again Jeremy Doku. The Belgian had been injured or unfit for nearly 2 years but is now back to his full health. His pace, power and dynamism give the home side a route to goal that was sorely lacking since Martin Terrier’s season ending injury. There’s a lot at stake but the hosts form at The Roazhon is enough to back a home win at odds against.
Lens Vs AC Ajaccio
Sat 27th 20:00
Lens need a point from their remaining two games to grab the last automatic Champions League spot. Back in September there was a big fanfare at Stade Bollaert-Delelis to celebrate Seko Fofana’s contract extension. At the time it looked a bit over the top but the unity of Franck Haise’s side since then means the pageantry was well worth it. Another thing that was worth it was the coaches faith in Lois Openda. After a barren October-January spell the Belgian has 12 goals over the last 12 Ligue 1 games. An already relegated AC Ajaccio will feel it’s Groundhog Day after a 5-0 thumping by Rennes last weekend. Les Sang et Or might not be as dynamic but they are as equally ruthless. Openda to score at anytime looks a likely occurrence in this game.
Toulouse Vs Auxerre
Sat 27th 20:00
Auxerre will come into the game knowing they will probably be playing in Ligue 1 next season with a victory as Nantes are on the road for a tough game in Lille. They’ll also be encouraged by the showing against champions-in-waiting PSG last weekend. Whilst they gave up a lot of possession they had enough chances to get a point. A repeat effort here should be enough to beat a Toulouse side missing their talisman Branco Van den Boomen and also a side with nothing to play for. A rare away win for Auxerre seems to be good value at over 2/1 (you could hedge with a draw at a similar price also) considering they will not want to leave their season down to beating Lens on the last day.
Smart Bets:
Rennes To Win @ 11/10 (3pt win)
Lois Openda to score anytime @ 4/6 (1pt win)
Auxerre to Win @ 11/5 (1pt win)
Above in treble (best priced): 10/1 (1pt win)
