This weekend, Ligue 1 enters matchday 24 and multiple sports betting platforms are offering a full slate of scintillating betting markets for the schedule’s slated fixtures. In this column, we spotlight a couple of matchups and serve up soccer picks to spot.
So, without too much fuss, let’s get cracking.
Olympique Lyonnais vs. OGC Nice
Saturday, February 12, 2022 – 03:00 PM EST at Groupama Stadium
Paris St. Germain may be untouchable at the top of the table with a 17-5-1 record and 56 points, but Nice will be keen to keep the pressure on the league leaders and, more specifically, their nearest rivals Marseille. Les Phocéens currently hold second place in Ligue 1 with a point advantage over Nice.
Nice is ranked third with a 13-4-6 record and 42 points. However, Les Aiglons are coming off a disappointing 1-0 loss to Clermont in Ligue 1 action that saw them miss the chance to take second place in France’s top flight. Winger Elbasan Rashani lifted promoted Clermont to the 1-0 lead in the 77th minute as Nice stayed one point behind second-place Marseille.
After the game, Nice coach Christophe Galtier suggested his lads weren’t in the right headspace, already looking ahead to their midweek quarterfinal bout with Marseille. "Some of the players were perhaps already thinking about Wednesday,“ Nice coach Christophe Galtier said. “When you don't respect the opponent you get punished.”
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Nice more than made up for their setback at the weekend with a 4-1 drubbing of Marseille in Coupe de France action. Things didn’t get off to a great start as Les Aiglons were down 0-1 in the first three minutes courtesy of an own goal from Melvin Bard, but they scored twice before halftime to take the lead and regain equilibrium.
Galtier was full of praise for his side’s efforts this time around and he’ll be looking for a similar performance at the weekend when Nice faces eighth-placed Lyon who is coming off its first defeat in 2022. Lyon lost 2-0 to Monaco on the away on matchday 23. The loss ended a three-game winning streak and saw Lyon settle on a 9-8-6 mark and 34 points.
The last time Nice and Lyon went head-to-head, Les Aiglons perfected a stunning comeback in the final ten minutes, reeling off three goals to clinch the 3-2 victory. Of course, Galtier will hope his side is more poised and sharper this time around, but after playing midweek fatigue might be a factor in a matchup that is being firmly cornered with the hosts.
Lyon opened as the -110 favorite in money line markets and the Ligue 1 odds have held relatively firm and within range. Nice, by contrast, is priced as a massive underdog with the longest odds of +326 available at BetOnline.
One can’t overlook the fatigue factor, obviously. But Nice has the motivation to win too. Second place in the table with the automatic Champions League qualification spot it promises is an incentive that can’t be overlooked either.
Soccer Pick: Nice (+326) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
AS Monaco vs. FC Lorient
Sunday, February 13, 2022 - 07:00 AM EST at Stade Louis II
Lorient snapped a two-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over Lens on matchday 23 – a pivotal victory as Lorient’s fight to survive in Ligue 1 continues. Lorient improved to 4-8-11 and 20 points and 17th place, but they’re tied with Metz and Bordeaux and mired in a relegation battle with the pair.
Lorient’s confidence-boosting win ends a horrendous run of form in Ligue 1, but with Monaco on the away up next at the weekend, it’s going to be tough to navigate towards another positive result in the principality.
Monaco are riding a three-game winning streak across all competitions. After beating Lyon 2-0 on matchday 23, they beat Amiens SC 2-0 in Coupe de France action. Overall, Monaco is ranked sixth in France’s top-flight with a 10-6-7 record and 36 points. Monaco are unbeaten at home in nine straight Ligue 1 fixtures, including four straight wins at Stade Louis II.
Considering the contrasting form, Monaco is in a position to extend their positive form to five straight at home and four straight wins overall at the expense of Lorient in front of their fans on Sunday. Les Monegasques are the runaway favorites with the soccer odds at the top-rated sportsbooks hovering around -240 and -260.
Monaco are outside looking in, six points adrift of Nice in the table and potential Champions League action next season. Lorient presents a perfect opportunity for all three points so long as they don’t underestimate their opponents.
Soccer Pick: AS Monaco -1.5 (+123) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports 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.
