Ligue 1 Matchday 31 Preview and Best Bets (Archive)
France’s top-flight league kicks off matchday 31 this weekend, featuring several fascinating matchups that have implications on both sides of the Ligue 1 table. In this column, we preview those that offer the best value in terms of the Ligue 1 odds from the corresponding online sportsbooks and serve up soccer predictions for your consideration.
So, without too much fuss, let’s go straight to the matches.
Clermont Foot 63 vs. Paris Saint-Germain FC
Saturday, April 09, 2022 – 03:00 PM EDT at Stade Gabriel-Montpied
Paris Saint-Germain continues to dominate France’s Ligue 1, leading the field by 12 points after stringing together a 21-5-4 record and 68 points. The star-studded cast from the French capital is untouchable now, and with eight games left on the season, it is really only a matter of time before they lift the Ligue 1 trophy.
PSG moved closer to the title last weekend with a comfortable 5-1 win over Lorient at the Parc des Princes. Neymar and Mbappe scored twice while Lionel Messi scored once to help lift their side to victory on Sunday night. The win saw PSG bounce back from a 3-0 upset by Monaco over a fortnight ago.
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Clermont is faced with contrasting fortunes in Ligue 1 this season. Sitting in 17th place, behind a 7-7-15 mark and 28 points, they’re barely clinging to safety. They’re only a point ahead of St. Etienne (18th) and five points clear of Metz (19th) and Bordeaux (20th).
Recent form is nothing to write home about either as Clermont is riding a four-game losing streak into Saturday’s contest, capped off by a 3-2 loss to Nantes at home. Indeed, during this poor stretch of form, Clermont has been outscored 12-3. Not surprisingly, Clermont is the massive underdog in this game with the best price of +796 offered with Heritage Sportsbook.
As per multiple top-rated sportsbooks, PSG is the runaway favorite to clinch the win over Clermont and take all three points. They beat Clermont 4-0 at the Parc des Princes earlier this season, and they’re likely to do so again and in a similarly convincing fashion. PSG is best priced at -280 with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review) to win outright.
As far as the value play goes here, if PSG is your choice soccer pick, too, then betting the handicap might offer a better bang for your buck.
Soccer Pick: PSG -1.5 (-103) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
FC Girondins de Bordeaux vs. FC Metz
Sunday, April 10, 2022 - 07:00 AM EDT at Matmut Atlantique
With Metz and Bordeaux propping up the table in 19th and 20th place, their upcoming clash on Sunday sets up a fascinating contest in the battle for Ligue 1 survival. Both Metz and Bordeaux boast a 4-11-15 mark and 23 points, but the former has a slightly better goal differential.
It goes without saying, the three points up for grabs in this contest could make all the difference as each side attempts to claw its way out of the relegation hole. The first meeting between these two sides resulted in a 3-3 draw at Stade Saint-Symphorien in November.
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Metz has the recent advantage head-to-head over Bordeaux as they’re unbeaten in their last three meetings with a win and two draws. The last time Bordeaux got the measure of Metz was in February 2020.
Whichever way one slices this game, there are value bets to be had for soccer picks on either side of the coin. There’s the draw, priced best at +250 with BetOnline, to begin with. These two sides have settled on a draw twice in their last three meetings, so it’s not outrageous to expect another stalemate to emerge here.
On the strength of the head-to-head run though, Metz could prove to be the value soccer bet for the road upset, which is best priced at +320 with BetOnline.
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On the flipside, Bordeaux was recently buoyed by a scoreless draw against Lille on the road, salvaging a crucial point against the league’s defending champions. It might not be a whole lot to hang one’s hat on, but they’re coming into this clash on a more positive note and in slightly better form than their opponents, who lost 2-1 to Monaco on matchday 30.
That, coupled with home advantage and the generally desperate situation that the hosts find themselves in right now, could be the catalyst for a home victory. Bordeaux to win is priced best at -101 with Heritage Sports.
That said, the premium rests on the win for these relegation rivals. Thus, the balance tips slightly in favor of Bordeaux here. Just don’t go betting the farm on it though.
Soccer Pick: Bordeaux (-101) at Heritage Sports
*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.