Saint-Etienne v Troyes
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Friday 18th March – 8:00PM KO
Friday night’s Ligue 1 match is a key relegation battle between two sides whose form has taken an uptick in recent weeks. Saint-Etienne have lost only ne of their last six – away at PSG – while Troyes have picked up back-to-back victories over Bordeaux and Nantes. The net result is that the position of both is far better than it was at the beginning of the year.
Curiously, Troyes have picked up four of their seven wins away from home but have equally lost nine times on the road, including recently 5-1 and 4-1 in successive weeks against Brest and Rennes. Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, have not been great at home, winning only three matches this season, making it difficult to justify their odds of around Evens.
This match is likely to resemble Saint-Etienne’s recent 1-0 win over Metz at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. It was a fixture that they ground out. Certainly, there has been little evidence of them blowing teams away since Pascal Dupraz took over, with the coach instilling instead a relentless spirit in the club that looks likely to pull them out of an unlikely situation.
Troyes, meanwhile, have become more pragmatic under Bruno Irles, with a 2-0 win away to Bordeaux a fortnight ago showing they also have the mentality to win vital games.
It is most probable that these two sides cancel each other out to some degree. A tight match appears likely, with Under 2.5 goals a winning bet in six of Troyes’ last nine and five of Saint-Etienne’s last 10.
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Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals, 1.73 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Lens v Clermont
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Saturday 19th March – 4:00PM KO
Lens continue to fall away from the thick of the European race after a poor run of recent form that has seen them win only two of their last eight games. They seemed to be regaining some momentum until the last fortnight, which has seen them lose at home to Brest and then be held scoreless away against Metz.
One of the key reasons for Lens’ slump in recent time is a collapse of form from playmaker Gael Kakuta, while Seko Fofana has not been hitting the heights in midfield that he previously was this season. With this pair misfiring, Lens are not nearly so strong.
Indeed, they have failed to score in each of their last two games as well as four of their last seven. At home, meanwhile, they have won just one of their last four at home.
Clermont, meanwhile, have lost their last couple, including a key loss against Lorient last weekend that has dragged them back into the thick of the relegation battle. Their mentality will now be tested like never before as this is their first top-flight season.
They have shown in recent away games that they can be dangerous. Already in 2022, they have won at Nice and Marseille, two of the top three. It is those games they will be aiming to use as a blueprint for success in this encounter. Crucially, leading scorer Mohamed Bayo will be fit to start after injury.
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Prediction: Clermont Double Chance, 2.1 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Nantes v Lille
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Saturday 19th March – 8:00PM KO
Nantes host Lille with the aim of continuing an excellent run of home form that has lifted them into contention for a place in Europe next season. Given last term was all about battling against relegation, this is seen as a huge bonus.
Antoine Kombouare’s side are challenging thanks to their home form. They have won their last five league matches at Stade de la Beaujoire, including a famous 3-1 victory over PSG last month. Indeed, they have picked up nine wins from 14 games at the venue, losing only three.
Up against them is a Lille side that was involved in a midweek Champions League tie with Chelsea. It was a game they lost 2-1, though they gave a strong account of themselves.LOSC, meanwhile, are also doing their best to get back into Europe. They are doing this thanks to a solid defence. Indeed, they have not conceded in their last five Ligue 1 games.
Moreover, Lille have picked up excellent away wins against Lyon and Montpellier in recent weeks, winning 1-0 on both occasions. Overall, though, they have been average on the road this season, with five wins and five losses in 14 matches.
LOSC, however, will be without key midfielder Renato Sanches due to injury, while they face a quick turnover of just three days between Chelsea and Nantes. This is bound to have a fatiguing impact on the team.
Given that Nantes is presently one of the most hostile venues in France for visiting sides, the value is with the hosts ahead of this match.
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Prediction: Nantes Draw no Bet, 1.91 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
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