Ligue 1 Matchday 11 Odds: Preview, Breakdown, Best Bets
Early Season Le Classique
Lorient in Super Form
It’s time for the biggest match in French soccer, Le Classique, between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille. Last season, they finished in first and second place, respectively and are among the top teams once again. That match will get a lot of attention but there are certainly others worth paying attention to.
Lorient, who finished in 16th place the last two seasons, are on a seemingly inexplicable six-game winning streak. Lorient are now in second place, only one point behind PSG. Let’s take a look at PSG, Marseille, Lorient and more as we review the Ligue 1 Matchday 11 odds
That’s not expected to change this weekend, as they’re priced as +220 underdogs. Interestingly, Lorient have less than a 50 percent implied probability to continue their winning streak, at +125.
FC Lorient have never won a major trophy and have qualified for European competition just once in their history. Now, they’re genuine Champions League contenders and are picking up wins left and right. They’ve scored at least twice in each of their last five matches and have an impressive 8-1-1 record. Nigerian striker Terem Moffi has been incredible and is tied for the league lead, with eight goals.
This Saturday, Lorient welcome Reims to the Stade Allainmat. Reims just held a ten-man PSG to a scoreless draw and have avoided defeat in six of their ten matches this season. However, Ligue 1’s 15th place team has just one win so far. That’s not expected to change this weekend, as they’re priced as +220 underdogs. Interestingly, Lorient have less than a 50 percent implied probability to continue their winning streak, at +125.
That could have something to do with the fact that Reims were unbeaten in this fixture last season. They picked up a win and a draw and the latter shows a +230 price. Incredibly, should PSG draw or lose to Marseille and Lorient win, FCL will be on top of the Ligue 1 standings.
[tie_index]Lens vs. Montpellier: Saturday, 3:00 p.m." class="index-title">Lens vs. Montpellier:
Like Lorient, Lens have gotten off to a quick start but lost their first match of the season last Sunday. There are certainly signs of a decline in recent weeks. Lens scored 14 goals in August alone but have managed just three since then. They have just two goals in their last four matches, but kept three shutouts in three of those games. Unfortunately for Lens, they play one of the highest scoring teams in the league on Saturday.
Montpellier matches have usually been wild affairs this season. The average of 4.20 goals scored in their games is the most in the league, by far. Over 2½ is listed at -175 odds when Lens host Montpellier on Saturday. Just as it’ll be dangerous to face an explosive Montpellier offense, this is a good opportunity for Lens to put their goal scoring woes behind them. Montpellier have both scored and conceded over two goals per game this season.
Lens are -225 favorites and have a perfect 5-0 record at home this season. Meanwhile, Montpellier have been one of the worst away teams in the league, with one win in four matches. Florian Sotoca has been a standout for Lens this season and let’s see if he can help Lens put their 1-0 loss to Lille behind them.
Rennes vs. Lyon:
Heading into their Thursday Europa League match vs. Dynamo Kiev, Rennes are unbeaten in their last nine matches. Rennes have also won their last two Ligue 1 matches but will be missing center back Joe Rodon when they face Lyon. After a quick start, Lyon have had an awful last few weeks. They are currently winless in their last five Ligue 1 matches and just fired head coach Peter Bosz.
Former French national team coach Laurent Blanc will be in charge going forward. Without European competition this season, Lyon were expected to perform much better than this. We’ll see if the managerial change improves the performance and motivates the players to impress. Lyon do have a decent shot to win this match, at +190 Ligue 1 Matchday 11 odds.
It won’t be easy, as Martin Terrier has scored in each of Rennes’ last three matches in all competitions. Rennes are full of exciting attacking players, like Terrier, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Amine Gouiri. Rennes, who are +130 favorites, are 4-1 at home this season. Meanwhile, Lyon are still winless away from the Groupama Stadium.
PSG vs. Marseille:
The most anticipated match of the Matchday 11 Ligue 1 fixtures schedule is Le Classique. It’s a fiery rivalry and it certainly shows in the bookings history. A player has been sent off in three of the last four Ligue 1 meetings between PSG and Marseille. Both teams will need all hands on deck on Sunday, though, when they meet for the first time this season.
Last season, these teams drew 0-0 in Marseille and PSG picked up a 2-1 win in Paris. PSG have once again been dominant this season and it shows in the Ligue 1 player stats. Both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have eight goals this season, while Neymar and Lionel Messi have seven assists. PSG are still unbeaten and come into Le Classique as massive -300 favorites. However, they’ll be without the suspended Sergio Ramos and could be without an injured Messi.
Marseille lost for the first time this season last Saturday so they’ll certainly be motivated. In the 2-1 loss to Ajaccio Dimitri Payet became the first player in Ligue 1 history to register both 100 goals and assists. There’s a lot of quality on OM, with the likes of Payet, Gerson and Alexis Sanchez. However, they could be missing French internationals Matteo Guendouzi and Jonathan Clauss again due to injury. With those injuries in mind, Marseille sit at just +750 odds to win.
Special Relegation Battle
For the first time, four teams will be relegated in Ligue 1 this season. That’s because they’re moving to an 18-team league from the 2023-24 season onward. So, teams near the bottom have very little margin for error. Currently, just four points separate tenth place from the relegation zone, so a lot can certainly change. Still, this weekend’s 19th vs. 20th place matchup is an important one.
Nantes shockingly won the Coupe de France last season and it appears juggling the Europa League with Ligue 1 is hurting them. They’ve won just one of their first ten matches and are currently in 19th place. They’ll take on last place Brest on Sunday with both teams desperate for three points.
The Ligue 1 Matchday 11 odds price home side Nantes at +105 odds to win. However, they’ve scored just once in their last three Ligue 1 matches. Brest, on the other hand, have scored in their last two matches but are the only team without a shutout. They’re +250 underdogs heading into Sunday’s match.
For soccer betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
