Football 
Tennis 
Horse Racing Early Bird Tips for Ligue 1: Lens to edge Sunday evening clash
Our expert, Steve Wyss, is back for more Ligue 1 early bird tips as we approach gameweek 11 in France. Table toppers Nice continue their remarkable unbeaten run and expect nothing to change on Friday night when they travel to Montpellier – Under 2.5 is very much on the menu again. Meanwhile, struggling Metz have no firepower and are easily opposable against Nantes. The big match on Sunday evening sees Lens take on Marseille, and it could be a good time to start siding with Lens, who have improved a lot recently.
Early Bird Tips for Ligue 1
- Montpellier vs Nice: Under 2.5 Goals
- Metz vs Nantes: Nantes +0 Asian Handicap
- Lens vs Marseille: Lens Draw No Bet
Ligue 1 Acca odds: 5.55
Odds via bet365 as at 00:01 Tuesday 7th November. Odds may now differ.
Montpellier vs Nice: Stick with the tried and tested under
France, Ligue 1, Friday, November 10th 20:00 (UK)
It is like a revolving record, but keep backing Unders in Nice fixtures, and you are making a lot of profit. If it isn’t broken, then why fix it? I’ll once again be heading to the Nice Unders well this Friday night. They face a trip to Montpellier, who can be quite an inconsistent side, but Nice’s tactical setup could turn this fixture into a cagey contest. Montpellier will want to play attacking football, and they comfortably won their last home game 3-0 vs Toulouse. Prior to that, they would have beaten Clermont 4-2 but for the late abandonment. Now facing the meanest defence in Ligue 1, it will be a difficult challenge, though.
Francesco Farioli’s visitors remain at the top of the Ligue 1 standings, and they are the only unbeaten side in the division. They beat Rennes 2-0 last week, now keeping a remarkable eight clean sheets in 11 fixtures. Nice have only conceded four goals, which is by far the best record of any team in this division. But they have legitimately been strong at the back with an xGA of just 7.92. Sooner or later, someone will score on them again, but Farioli sets them up in such a controlled and disciplined manner that blunts the attack force of their opponents.
Montpellier are going to have to adapt here if they are to get a good result. I suspect they might over-commit, though, with Nice catching them out on the break at some stage. The away side is deserving -0.25 Asian Handicap favourites, but the best bet again looks to be under 2.5 goals. Considering Nice have 10 out of 11 games under 2.5 this season, it’s strange how decent odds on this under-goal line continue to be offered in their games. Yes, Montpellier are more of an offensive force, but until the goals come, then let’s keep going under with Nice fixtures.
Metz vs Nantes: Canaris to fly against struggling Metz
France, Ligue 1, Sunday, November 12th, 14:00 (UK)
Metz nearly obtained a vital victory away to Lyon last week. They took the lead fairly late but were pegged back and eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw. These are worrying times for Les Grenats, though, and their overall metrics have been on a downtrend for a while. Metz have failed to win any of their last six Ligue 1 games and only scored two goals during this period.
They are desperately lacking firepower and need to address their attacking options in the January transfer window. Metz have the lowest xG in the entire division (7.25), and they are a team to be opposing until they can solve these issues in the final third.
Nantes have been a pleasant surprise this season and will be delighted to be situated in the top half after 11 games played. Most pundits predicted them to be in relegation danger this year, and that still might materialise. But based on what we’ve seen so far, then Les Canaris will be absolutely fine. There are goals in this team, even if the defence can sometimes be leaky. Nantes have lost both of their last two games, but facing Lens and Reims was challenging. Nantes have a mixed away record with two wins and three defeats so far this term.
There is no doubt in my eyes that the visitors are the better side. Pierre Aristouy’s men are slight favourites with the bookmakers, but I think they deserve to be a more sizable jolly here. Nantes can be backed on a +0 Asian handicap at 1.81, which offers full security in case of any draw. They came to this part of France a few weeks ago and beat Strasbourg 2-1. This is a similar type of opponent and a match where they can have an edge with their superior attacking quality.
Lens vs Marseille: Lens sensing blood against mediocre Marseille
France, Ligue 1, Sunday November 12th, 19:45 (UK)
Both teams are playing away in Europe this week, but Lens should have the edge due to an extra day of rest. The home side only travels to PSV in the Netherlands. Whilst that is, without doubt, a big game, at least the distance and travel time is quite minimal from Northern France. Les Sang et Or are unbeaten in six straight league games and are starting to show signs they are back to their best. Last week, Frank Haise’s men were forced to accept a 0-0 draw away to Lorient but came up against an inspired goalkeeper and horrible weather conditions. Lens are the biggest underachieving Ligue 1 side in front of goal this season, only converting their 19.21 xG into 12 goals. As soon as they get on top of this problem, then the floodgates might open.
Marseille has been fairly underwhelming since Gennaro Gattuso took over as manager. He’s only picked up one win from four Ligue 1 matches, although the fixture list hasn’t been the easiest. Last week, OM drew 0-0 at home to Lille, and they failed to convert their chances. Several players appear to be lacking confidence, and there is a lack of rhythm in their tactics and game plan. It’s a tough week for Marseille with a trip to Athens in the Europa League on Thursday to play AEK. They might have little left in the tank ahead of a potentially high-energy and bruising clash with Lens.
This was a fixture in which OM struggled last season. Lens did the double over them, and the stadium will be rocking with a great atmosphere. The price on Lens Draw No Bet looks far too generous at 1.75 and offers a full refund in case this game ends all square. I am expecting the hosts to have a clear edge. They are trending in the right direction, whilst OM seems to be treading water and in a transition phase.
NOVEMBER 13-19 IS SAFER GAMBLING WEEK 2023
November 13-19 marks an important date in the calendar. Safer Gambling Week is a significant industry-wide event that aims to shed more light on responsible betting. For more information and advice, head to the bettingexpert Safer Gambling hub or our brief explainer below.
