MARK O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) is back in Ligue 1 this weekend with a returning striker key to his best bet this weekend.
Lyon v Nantes | Sunday 16.00
For the second successive matchday, the top-four teams failed to record victories in Ligue 1. With PSG and Marseille both throwing away leads in front of their home fans, Lyon were held to a draw at Lorient but remain top of the tree with a two-point cushion.
Les Gones’ challenge has stalled in recent weeks with key players Alexandre Lacazette and Milan Bisevac both out through injury. However, Ligue 1’s top goal-getter Lacazette is expected to make his return to the side for Sunday’s match at home to Nantes and Hubert Fournier’s men should be supported to get their season back on track.
Lyon struggled to cope with Lorient’s artificial pitch last weekend but still managed to fight back and pick up a point after going a goal down. Clinton N’Jie grabbed the equaliser and veteran full-back Christophe Jallet almost pinched a winner late on as OL finished the stronger of the two teams.
And back at Stade Gerland, Les Gones remain a force to be reckoned with. Lyon have W9-D1-L0 in their last 10 outings in front of their home supporters – only PSG have stopped Fournier’s charges continuing their winning run recently.
With eight of their 11 home victories in Ligue 1 victories coming by a margin of two goals or more, it’s hard to resist BetVictor’s 68/67 on Lyon -1 in the Asian Handicap market. Taking this selection means we’ll have ourselves a winner should the hosts come out on top by a margin of two goals or more but get our cash back if Lyon only win by a solitary goal.
Visitors Nantes have found the going tough during the winter months. Having suffered just two defeats in their first 14 matches, the Canaries have W2-D3-L6 since.
Michel Der Zakarian’s men have struggled in front of goal in 2015, failing to score in five of their six games and were outplayed at home to Bastia last time out. It could be a long afternoon for the side from west France who have a torrid record against Lyon, losing 10 of a winless 12 game streak at the Gerland and conceding at least 3 goals in their last 4 visits.
Nantes tend to have a complex about meeting France’s elite. Last season they picked up a solitary point from 10 games against the top-five. This season that record stands at two points from six matches.
Even if Lacazette starts from the bench, Lyon boast enough quality in forward areas through Nabil Fekir and N’Jie to get their title challenge back on track with a comfortable victory.
Best Bets
Lyon v Nantes – Lyon -1 Asian Handicap (68/67 BetVictor)
Your View
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TOPICS European Football Video
