football | Thursday, April 6, 2023 12:32 PM (Revised at: Thursday, April 6, 2023 12:34 PM)

Ligue 1 Best Bets: Picks for Four Matches from France this Weekend

Sam Ingram

Ligue 1 Best Bets: April 8th-9th

Four of the best selections which Ligue 1 has to offer in one place? It must be the weekly edition of bettingexpert’s Ligue 1 Best Bets…

In this article:

Angers vs Lille Preview & Best Bet
Montpellier vs Toulouse Preview & Best Bet
AC Ajaccio vs Auxerre Preview & Best Bet
Reims vs Stade Brestois Preview & Best Bet

Angers vs Lille Preview

Saturday, April 8th, 16:00 (UK)

The decision to back against Angers last week didn’t pay off. It was unfortunate, especially considering OGC Nice went ahead whilst possessing the quality to hold on to such a lead, but it wasn’t meant to be this time around.

I’ll continue with a similar approach this week. Angers are a Ligue 2 level club operating in Ligue 1 with faltering efficiency, coming up against a Lille outfit fighting for the right to be heard in the division’s Champions League qualification.

Angers vs Lille Best Bet

It’s just one solitary win all season at home for Angers, overshadowed by 11 losses which best describes their season in front of home support. They meet Lille, who finds themselves in a differing patch of form. The 4-3 blockbuster against PSG is their only loss in nine games, beating Lorient (3-1), Toulouse (0-2), and scoring three against Lyon (3-3) in recent weeks.

Turn up and perform similarly with European qualification in mind, and Lille should edge over the proposed Asian Handicap.

Selection: Lille -1.25 Asian Handicap
Best Odds: 1.92 (Unibet)
Stakes: 10/10

More Angers vs Lille Tips

Montpellier vs Toulouse Preview

Sunday, April 9th, 14:00 (UK)

Toulouse plays Annecy FC in the Coupe de France on Thursday night. So not only will they have a recent fixture against a Ligue 2 side in their legs compared to Montpellier’s week-long preparation for this game, but they’ll also have to deal with any celebrations or commiserations following a potential passage into the final.

Since their convincing quarter-final triumph against Rodez, Toulouse have lost three of four following fixtures, including a 3-1 loss last time out. However, Stade Brest navigated Toulouse quite comfortably, despite the hosts creating very little in front of goal in 2023 and losing the xG battle in 8/10 of their matches before meeting Toulouse.

Montpellier vs Toulouse Best Bet

Brest averaged 1.4 Shots on Target in those ten games before meeting Toulouse, which was blown out of the water with 17 shots, seven on target, and 1.79xG.

Given Montpellier wade into this match unbeaten in the seven games under new coach Michel Der Zakarian, winning five in that stretch, backing Montpellier makes sense here.

Selection: Montpellier -0.25 Asian Handicap
Best Odds: 1.90 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

More Montpellier vs Toulouse Tips

AC Ajaccio vs Auxerre Preview

France, Ligue 1, Sunday, April 9th, 14:00 (UK)

The +1.75 Asian match goal line is not something you’ll find too often in the biggest leagues across Europe. But, low and behold, that’s what the betting gods have prepared for us here. Now, this isn’t foolproof; there’s a good reason why the match goals line is so low.

Nevertheless, thinking about this match-up in a different way to the bookmakers may suggest that goals are on the horizon. Both are desperate for points, sitting in 17th and 19th, respectively. In my eyes, with both sides needing a win, the opening goal could spark another, and another, if we’re lucky.

Once a team goes ahead, we should assume that the other side will throw everything at the opposing goal to ensure a relegation-threatened rival doesn’t vacate the pitch with a much-desired three points. Both AC Ajaccio (0.72 goals scored per90), who have scored the fewest goals in Ligue 1 this year, and Auxerre, who average just 0.82 goals per90 this season, have struggled to work openings all campaign.

AC Ajaccio vs Auxerre Best Bet

Of course, there’s a genuine possibility of the match ending 0-0. That would, of course, make this selection look a little daft, and it would also hand the home side one point at a time where only victories will suffice.

AC Ajaccio are currently five points adrift of Auxerre and Strasbourg, making this a monumental fixture at the foot of Ligue 1 this weekend.

Selection: Over 1.75 Asian Goal Line
Best Odds: 1.86 (bet365)
Stakes: 5/10

More AC AJaccio vs Auxerre Tips

Reims vs Stade Brestois Preview

France, Ligue 1, Sunday, April 9th, 14:00 (UK)

Reims bounced back from their first Ligue 1 loss in some style last time out, beating Nantes 0-3 away from home. However, just like Toulouse, who lost 3-1 to Stade Brestois, Nantes clearly had one eye on their upcoming semi-final cup fixture in midweek.

It was an impressive result for Brest after creating so little in recent games. I’ve previously mentioned a few Brest stats in the Montpellier write up above, highlighting an alarming xG trend which has seen them lose the xG count in 8/11 recent matches.

Reims vs Stade Brestois Best Bet

Those three games came against bottom-of-the-league Angers, Troyes (18th) with the help of a penalty, and last time out versus a Toulouse side struggling to kick into gear ever since a semi-final tie was pencilled in for them in the Coupe de France.

If Brest travels to Reims this weekend and reverts to form, the home side could mould this into a comfortable Sunday afternoon outing.

Selection: Reims to Win
Best Odds: 1.65 (bet365)
Stakes: 7.5/10

More Reims vs Stade Brestois Tips

Best odds available as at 13:00 April 5th 2023. Odds may now differ.

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