France’s top-flight league enters matchday 13 with a full slate of fixtures to spot on the Ligue 1 odds board. In this column, we look at a couple of those while serving up predictions and free soccer picks for your consideration.
So, without too much preamble and fuss, let’s get straight to the soccer betting previews and predictions for Ligue 1.
FC Girondins Bordeaux vs. Paris Saint-Germain FC
Saturday, November 06, 2021 – 04:00 PM EDT at Matmut-Atlantique Stadium
PSG hasn’t been truly impressive this season, but then again, for the most part, they haven’t really had to be as they’ve faced very little resistance in domestic action on the way to a tremendous 10-1-1 mark from their first 12 fixtures.
Last week, the Parisiens faced surprisingly stiff opposition from the reigning champions Lille at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Lille is in the midst of a disappointing season, and the soccer odds were stacked against them significantly. However, they came out with intent and spirit.
Mauricio Pochettino’s boys fell behind early before storming back to clinch the 2-1 win. Neymar set up Angel Di Maria to score an 88th-minute goal that lifted PSG to victory in front of their delighted fans.
The day wasn’t all smiles and rainbows though, especially where another Argentine was concerned. Lionel Messi’s assimilation with PSG isn’t going exactly to plan, and last week’s game was another disappointment for the starlet as Pochettino took Messi off at halftime.
Messi has 0 goals in five starts for the French club, which isn’t what most would have predicted when news of his transfer to PSG was announced.
Overall, PSG put in a disjointed account in the first half that prompted the line-up change with Messi being relegated to the subs bench. That move paid dividends as the hosts first scored in the 74th minute with an equalizer from captain Marquinhos. Then Di Maria scored the game-winner in the dying minutes of the game.
Pochettino credited his side’s fight and spirit in the post-game interview. The three points give PSG an 8-point cushion ahead of Nice in second-place and he’ll take that in a heartbeat after losing out on the domestic title to Lille last season.
Next up for PSG is a trek to Bordeaux, another one of the league’s strugglers this season. Bordeaux ranks amongst the league’s mediocre opposition in 16th place with a 2-6-4 record and 12 points after 12 fixtures. Only three points separate Bordeaux from the drop zone.
Messi’s withdrawal was assumed to be a precautionary measure for PSG’s Champions League date with RB Leipzig on Wednesday, but on the day of the European fixture, it was revealed that Messi is dealing with a hamstring and knee injury.
It’s unlikely Messi will feature this weekend against Bordeaux, but that’s hardly going to matter. Pochettino is spoiled for choice, and newly acquired Georginio Wijnaldum has already made a good impression on his new coach after scoring both goals in PSG’s 2-2 draw against RB Leipzig.
PSG should win this game hands down, but at -280 on the soccer odds board, betting the money line odds might be too pricey. The alternative is to back PSG to cover at 1½.
Soccer Pick: PSG -1.5 (-109) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
OGC Nice vs. Montpellier HSC
Sunday, November 07, 2021 - 11:00 AM EST at Allianz Riviera Stadium
Nice is coming off a 2-1 win over Angers that saw them leapfrog Lens into second place in the table over the weekend with a 7-3-2 mark and 23 points from 12 fixtures.
Les Aiglons have gone 3-1-1 in their last five fixtures, and that run of positive form underscores their favorable soccer odds across sports betting platforms this weekend as they welcome Montpellier to their majestic coastal city on the glamorous French Riviera.
Andy Delort and Amine Gouiri are a special attacking duo that is enjoying great success for Nice. The pair lead the team with six goals each and they’re tied for fifth amongst the league’s top scorers.
Montpellier has had a mixed start to its 2021 campaign. They’re currently ranked 11th in the table with a 4-4-4 record and 16 points. Merely a point separates Montpellier from seventh-placed Strasbourg while three points separate them from sixth-placed Lyon.
Montpellier is coming off a 2-0 decision against Nantes that propelled them into the middle of the table. It marked their second win in three weeks as they improved to a 2-1-2 mark in their last five fixtures. Florent Mollet, Téji Savanier, and Stephy Mavididi lead the team with three goals each, but reports suggest Montpellier will be without Savanjer on Sunday due to receiving a ban from the match.
Nice is undefeated at home, and they should continue that strong domestic form at the expense of Montpellier on Sunday.
Montpellier has lost their last two away fixtures 2-0 to PSG and 3-1 to Monaco. They’re winless in their last five trips with a 0-2-3 mark. As such, Nice to clinch the win is the choice bet for soccer picks here.
Soccer Pick: Nice (-140) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
