French Football 
/ James Eastham / 10 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Marvin Martin celebrates after a French Cup goal
"Marseille have played poorly since the turn of the year. A fortnight ago coach Didier Deschamps labelled his side "rubbish" after their 0-0 draw at Monaco. Last Saturday, l'OM squeaked a 1-0 home win against wooden-spoon holders Arles as Marseille fans brandished a "move your ass" banner."
Ace French football tipster James Eastham brings another round of value bets from Ligue 1
Sochaux (12th) v Marseille (4th) (Saturday, 18:00 kick-off UK time)
Sochaux are French football's great entertainers, the team neutrals would pay to see if they had a spare Saturday night. And they're good enough to get a point against Marseille this weekend.
Les Doubistes boast the division's joint-best home record (W7-D3-L1) and are the highest home scorers (2.4 goals a game). Among their victims are top-five sides Rennes and PSG, thrashed 5-1 and 3-1 respectively at Stade Bonal.
Forwards Modibo Maiga and Brown Ideye are Ligue 1's most prolific strike partnership (nine goals each) but star of the show is playmaker Marvin Martin, who tops Ligue 1's assists chart. A former Sochaux coach recently told me Martin is already good enough to play for Barcelona; known as 'little Xavi', Martin will grace the international arena soon.
Marseille have played poorly since the turn of the year. A fortnight ago coach Didier Deschamps labelled his side "rubbish" after their 0-0 draw at Monaco. Last Saturday, l'OM squeaked a 1-0 home win against wooden-spoon holders Arles as Marseille fans brandished a "move your ass" banner.
Sochaux look excellent value at [3.6]. Either back them to win, or at [2.38] with a 0 start on the Asian handicap.
St Etienne (5th) v Lyon (6th) (Sat, 20:00)
Who needs Dimitri Payet? St Etienne stood firm against the deadline-day wishes of their star player after he travelled without permission to Paris in the hope of signing for PSG and then skipped training when St Etienne refused to sell. Last weekend the highly-regarded France winger was banished to play for the reserves as punishment for his actions, and without him St Etienne's first-team won 2-1 at Montpellier.
St Etienne have emerged stronger from the affair, and look too big to get a result against increasingly anxious local rivals Lyon. A 13-match unbeaten run from October to January hauled Lyon back into the title race but a 2-1 defeat at Valenciennes a fortnight ago and 0-0 home draw v Bordeaux last weekend has put them under immense pressure going into this game because they cannot afford to fall any further behind leaders Lille, who have a seven-point lead over them at the moment.
St Etienne gained their first victory over Lyon in 16 years when they won 1-0 at Stade de Gerland last October, and will be confident of completing the double. Les Verts are certainly the value pick, so back them at [3.3], lay Lyon at [2.5] or back St Etienne 0 Asian handicap at [2.3].
Lille (1st) v Toulouse (7th) (Sun, 20:00)
Lille have been the best team in France all season and deserve their five-point advantage over their rivals but obvious signs of fatigue have emerged in the past fortnight.
The title favourites were unconvincing 1-0 winners over relegation-threatened Lens on January 29, needed penalties to beat Ligue 2 side Nantes in the French Cup 10 days ago and managed only one shot on target - an alarmingly low figure for the division's top scorers - as they drew 1-1 at Auxerre last Sunday. I expect more dropped points in the weeks ahead as the Europa League recommences and they face Lorient in the French Cup quarter-finals.
Visitors Toulouse appear ready to cause an upset. Last weekend's 2-0 win over Monaco was their most accomplished performance of the season. Their athletic style will trouble Lille on a Stade Metropole pitch resembling a potato patch.
Lille might nick it, but I can't see them winning by more than one goal. By backing Toulouse +1.0 Asian handicap, you'll get your stakes back if they lose by a single goal, and win should the visitors win or draw.
Best Bet: Sochaux 0 Asian handicap v Marseille @ [2.38].
Other Recommended Bets: St Etienne 0 Asian handicap v Lyon @ [2.3] and Toulouse +1.0 Asian handicap at Lille @ [2.00].
Ace French football tipster James Eastham brings another round of value bets from Ligue 1...
James Eastham explains why there will be some nervy moments for Lille backers over the next couple of months, and says recently-appointed Laurent Banide will bring a new lease of life to Monaco....
Artificial turf and the absence of one of France's most exciting strikers will be decisive factors on a big night for Brittany football this weekend, writes betting expert James Eastham....
No comments:
Post a Comment