Football 
Tennis 
Horse Racing Sunday European Acca Tips: Top flight returns in Spain and France to give us ample choice
There will be more familiar names in this weekend’s European Acca Tips, with the big boys joining the party as top-flight leagues in France, Portugal, Spain and the Premier League in England begin new campaigns. Having cast my eye over Sunday’s fixtures, two picks from Ligue 1 and a reliable old friend in La Liga make the shortlist.
- Nantes vs Toulouse: Toulouse Draw No Bet
- Rennes vs Metz: Rennes -1.5 Asian Handicap
- Getafe vs Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski to score
Acca odds: 8.42
Odds via bet365 as at 14:47, August 9th 2023. Odds may now differ.
Nantes vs Toulouse: Take visitors not to lose against struggling hosts
France, Ligue 1, Sunday, August 13th, 14:00 (UK)
Last season was terrible for Nantes, but it could have been even worse. The Canaries went into the final game of the campaign two points adrift of safety and on a run of 14 matches without a victory.
Ultimately a 1-0 defeat of bottom side Angers saw them leapfrog an Auxerre side that lost at home to 2nd placed Lens. That was not what they had in mind for a season that saw them compete in the Europa League, losing to Juventus in the round of 16. Also, having the chance to win the Coupe de France for a second successive season, only to be thrashed 5-1 by their opponents here.
Since then, Pierre Aristouy has seen Ludovic Blas sold to Rennes without any adequate attacking reinforcements. A cause for concern is highlighted by the fact his side has only scored three goals in five pre-season friendlies. They lost three of those in the process, including the last two to Lorient and FC Koln.
After winning the second tier and promotion back to Ligue 1 in 2022, the aforementioned triumph in the Coupe de France was something of an added bonus. It was, therefore, a surprise that after a respectable 13th-placed finish, the club decided to dispense with the services of the manager responsible, Philippe Montanier.
It will be interesting to see how replacement Carles Martínez Novell performs, especially having lost a couple of key players. Although being Montanier’s assistant, he will at least already know his squad well.
In contrast to the hosts, Les Violets ended pre-season with successive victories. A 2-1 defeat of Osasuna was followed by an eye-catching win against Roma by the same scoreline.
It is a surprise Nantes are priced as favourites for this one, but it does mean we can take an away win with the safety net of a void if the game ends in a draw.
- Selection: Toulouse Draw No Bet
- Best Odds: 1.97
- Bookmaker: Unibet
Rennes vs Metz: Newboys Metz shouldn’t ruin any bets
France, Ligue 1, Sunday, August 13th, 16:05 (UK)
Rennes had another solid Ligue 1 season last term. A 2-1 win at Brest on the final day was enough to see them climb to 4th in the table and secure a place in this season’s Europa League as a reward.
That victory completed a strong end to the campaign, with Les Rouge et Noirs winning each of their last four fixtures. They continued said form in pre-season, winning four consecutive games, including 3-1 and 5–0 defeats of EPL opponents West Ham and Nottingham Forest. Before ending with a disappointing 3-1 loss to Wolves.
Bruno Génésio will expect to see his side get back to winning ways in this Ligue 1 curtain-raiser—a home game against newly promoted opponents Metz.
Les Grenats bounced back to the French top flight after a 2nd place finish in Ligue 2 last term. However, a season of struggle is predicted, with the traders making them odds on favourites for another relegation.
The last time these two sides met was in March last year. Rennes ran riot in a 6-1 demolition at Roazhon Park, a fifth successive head-to-head win in meetings across all venues.
That run will be extended here, and taking the home side on a -1.5 Asian Handicap gives us a nice price. For the selection to win, we simply need Rennes to claim victory by two or more goals.
- Selection: Rennes -1.5 Asian Handicap
- Best Odds: 2.16
- Bookmaker: Unibet
Getafe vs Barcelona: Goal machine taken to raise the Bar
Spain, La Liga, Sunday, August 13th, 20:00 (UK)
Barcelona begin the defence of their La Liga crown with a tricky away date with Getafe. It will be strange seeing two Champions go in Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, although Ilkay Gundogan is, of course, a fantastic pickup.
Getafe were heavily involved at the other end of the table for the entirety of last season, only guaranteeing safety after a 0-0 draw on the final day against a Valladolid side that were relegated as a result.
It was some turnaround under José Bordalás, who only returned to the club with just seven games of the season remaining and with Azulones in the relegation zone. He will be looking to carry on the consistency that saw them end the campaign four games unbeaten.
Four wins and two defeats in pre-season will certainly give him belief, but it doesn’t get much tougher a start.
The selection here is for Robert Lewandoski to score. It’s not often you can get the Polish hitman at a backable price, but he is here.
Although turning 35 years old at the end of the month, he is only one year into a four-year deal with the Catalan giants. Many looked at last season as a dip, given the numbers he recorded with Bayern Munich.
Lewandowski still fired 23 La Liga goals from 34 appearances – enough to comfortably win him the Pichichi Trophy for top goalscorer in the Spanish top flight.
He delivered exactly what the Blaugranes demanded, a goal-scoring focal point for the team to help them regain the La Liga title. After warming up with a goal after just three minutes against Tottenham in the last pre-season outing before the real thing, expect more of the same in his second season – starting with this Sunday evening fixture in Madrid.
- Selection: Robert Lewandowski to score
- Best Odds: 2.10
- Bookmaker: bet365
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
At bettingexpert, we always take a responsible approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Responsible Gambling hub.
