Dermo has a three Ligue 1 selections this week that amount to an 8/1 treble
Last week was a complete bust and it was compounded by leading marksman Wissan Ben Yedder not scoring any of his sides four goals. This week’s slate of games is far more palatable from a betting point of view. On the field, Christophe Galtier returns to the Allianz Riviera when his current side PSG take on his previous side Nice. A Nice win followed by a Lens win would create a massive game next week when the Parisians host Lens. In this scenario a Lens win would put them level with the league leaders. Elsewhere, Marseille round out the game week away to Lorient whist the aftermentioned Lens open the week with the visit of Strasbourg.
Lens Vs Strasbourg
Fri 7th 20:00 GMT
Lens dip in February might come back to haunt them by the end of the season but they will now feel they are legitimately in a title race. With the buzz, energy and anticipation of what might come, I see them steamrolling a hapless Strasbourg. Le Racing has shipped at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 10 away matches in Ligue 1 even if their goals scored rate is decent. Lens on the other hand have only conceded 10 at home all season whilst averaging just over 2 goals scored per game at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Lens to win the game is a little tight in terms of price but there is some value in the handicap market. Pricing it up purely on numbers, Lens -1 should probably be 4/5. Given there is 13/10 available, that is the play here.
Montpellier Vs Toulouse
Sun 9th 14:00 GMT
Sunday afternoon sees the Occitan Derby when Montpellier host Toulouse. Both teams have been going in opposite directions as of late. Since Michel Der Zakarian’s appointment, no team has scored more points (17 from 21) in Ligue 1 over the course of the 7 games he has been in charge. Contrast that with Toulouse who had a sensational start to 2023. They lost 5 of the last 6 with a win over lowly Angers their only return recently. La Paillade have not only had a boost in the form of a new coach but they’ve also had an almost full bill of health recently (something that couldn’t be said for the first half of the season). With them still being odds against, a home win for Montpellier is the selection.
Reims Vs Brest
Sun 9th 14:00 GMT
Having lost their first game under manager Will Still the week before last, one might have thought Reims would come unstuck away to Nantes. Instead, they beat the hosts 3-0 in a convincing win. Brest also had a decent 3-1 win last week albeit Toulouse were still in the game until a sending off. Les Pirates away form has not been very good all season. They rank 14th in away wins and goals scored and 9th in goals conceded. In a tight affair I’ll side with a home win with the goalscoring of Folarin Balogun the likely decider.
Smart Bets
Lens to win -1 @ 13/10 (2 pt win)
Montpellier to win @ 6/5 (1 pt win)
Reims to win @ 4/6 (1pt win)
Above in treble (best priced): 8/1 (2pt win)
