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Mixed martial arts Ligue 1 Best Bets: Value Picks for Three Matches from France this Sunday
Ligue 1 Best Bets: Sunday, May 21st
We’ve got Ligue 1 best bets this Sunday, May 21st as the season enters its final stages. Game state and the need to win affects different teams in different ways. At this stage of the season, that ability to play under pressure will often act as the key player behind success or failure in a 38-game season. Below, we’ve got two fixtures with everything on the line, whilst Angers’ trip to Clermont may as well be played on a stretch of sand somewhere along the south of France.
In this article:
- AC Ajaccio vs Stade Rennais Preview & Best Bet
- Brest vs Clermont Preview & Best Bet
- Stade de Reims vs Angers Preview & Best Bet
AC Ajaccio vs Stade Rennais Preview
Sunday, May 17th, 12:00 (UK)
The Stade Francois Coty will host a potentially high-scoring fixture based on the results from the previous weekend. As predicted, PSG and Rennes emerged victorious against their opponents, AC Ajaccio and Troyes, respectively.
Despite playing away from home, Rennes may hold an advantage over their opponents in terms of game state and focus, as AC Ajaccio have already been relegated to the second tier. However, concerns are there regarding their poor away record, having only won four games this season, something which may affect their ability to get three points over the line. Nonetheless, with just one point away from the European spots, AC Ajaccio on the road has to go down as a must-win this match for Renner if they are to qualify for European football next season.
AC Ajaccio vs Stade Rennais Best Bet
Failure to do so against Ligue 2-bound Ajaccio will jeopardise any chances of performing on the European stage. I don’t think this will be straightforward, but they will create opportunities against Ajaccio, a side who have scored the fewest home goals in the league (9/17) this season.
- Selection: Stade Rennais -1 Asian Handicap
- Best Odds: 1.94 (bet365)
- Stakes: 5/10
More AC Ajaccio vs Stade Rennais Tips
Brest vs Clermont Preview
Sunday, May 17th, 14:00 (UK)
Honing in on Clermont’s recent results specifically, the fact we can get them on a +0.5 Asian Handicap feels a little generous. Look, Brest needs a win, and they’re only five points off the drop with three games to play. I understand why they’re favourites. But needing a result shouldn’t always hand over such a heavy favourites tag.
Clermont will be out to ruin the party. They have, very impressively, put together a seven-game unbeaten streak, winning six of said seven. Those victories include the 2-1 win over Lyon on the weekend, 1-0 over Reims, 1-2 away against OGC Nice, and three points against Troyes, AC Ajaccio, and Angers at the other end of the table.
Brest vs Clermont Best Bet
It’s a remarkable run and one that certainly casts questions over the Asian Handicap line as they visit Brest. The home side may well run away with proceedings believing the game state means much more to them.
Yet, if Clermont can avoid defeat, holding their opponents to a share of the points as they have done in each of their last seven games, we’ll profit.
- Selection: Clermont +0.5 Asian Handicap
- Best Odds: 1.85 (bet365)
- Stakes: 5/10
Stade de Reims vs Angers Preview
Sunday, May 17th, 14:00 (UK)
Although upping performance levels and capabilities in the opposition’s defensive third following the sealing of their relegation fate, Angers continue to prove inept at getting results over the line. It’s a similar story in Reims, although not quite as drastic.
After Will Still’s well-publicised fruitful unbeaten run following taking over Reims, it has been a less than rosy subsequent spell. Losing 1-2 to title-chasing Marseille is no disgrace, but that was followed by four losses in seven. Again, nothing too drastic there, though likely a shock to the system after overseeing a miraculous 17 games unbeaten as a newly-appointed Ligue 1 head coach.
The defeat to ten-man RC Lens would have hurt on the weekend. Reims took a 1-0 lead from the spot as Kevin Danso trudged down the touchline for an early bath in the 19th minute. A two-goal comeback signalled a remarkable recovery considering the deficit in personnel. Here, though, Angers presents a different task.
Stade de Reims vs Angers Best Bet
Players like Folarin Balogun are in the shop window and will be well aware that Angers at home is the perfect opportunity to add to the season’s highlight reel and the 19 goals from his 34 appearances. Granted, it’s a dead rubber for both, but there may be a smidge of value in backing the home side to record multiple strikes.
No other side has recorded two or more goals in more Ligue 1 games than Angers this season. The 26/34 (74%) strike rate showcases one of the primary reasons we’ll see them line up in Ligue 2 next term.
- Selection: Reims Over 1.5 Goals & 1-3 Winning Margin
- Best Odds: 1.95 (William Hill)
- Stakes: 5/10
More Stade de Reims vs Angers Tips
Odds via bet365 and William Hill as at 15:00 on 17th May 2023. Odds may now differ.
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