Ligue 1 Matchday 18 Odds: Clermont Still in Top Half of Ligue 1 table
Title Race Heats Up
Lens Get Statement Win
PSG had the opportunity to go ten points clear of Lens when they met on New Year’s Day. However, Lens closed the gap to just four points with an excellent 3-1 win at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. The title race is back on in a crucial midweek Matchday 18 for both sides. We’ll take a look at PSG, Lens and the other games of the week as we review the Ligue 1 Matchday 18 odds.
Games of the Week:
Clermont vs Rennes
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Clermont ended a six-match winless run with an excellent 1-0 road win over Lyon on New Year’s Day. Their success was short-lived, though. Clermont fell in penalties to seventh-tier side FCOSK06 in the Coupe de France round of 64 on Saturday.
On the back of some good early season form, Clermont are still in the top half of the Ligue 1 table. They’ll face a tough test on Wednesday vs. a Rennes side on a 23-match scoring streak in all competitions.
The Ligue 1 Matchday 18 odds list Rennes as ½-goal favorites and they sit at -115 ATS and moneyline odds. At the same time, Clermont also show -115 odds to cover but are +290 moneyline underdogs. Rennes won their last Ligue 1 match as well, with a late 2-1 win over Nice.
Benjamin Bourigeaud scored the winning goal, which was his third of the season. He also scored in a 2-1 win over Bourdeaux in the Coupe de France on Saturday.
However, Rennes leading scorer Martin Terrier tore his ACL in the win vs. Nice. It’s a huge loss for SRFC and Jeremy Doku and Kamaldeen Sulemana should get more opportunities now.
Clermont defender Mehdi Zeffane and midfielder Maxime Gonalons missed the match vs. Lyon but are in contention to play. Last season, the home Ligue 1 team won both matches in this fixture. A draw comes in at +265 odds. Meanwhile, over 2½ goals comes in at -125 odds.
Lorient vs Monaco
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Ligue 1’s sixth and fifth place teams meet on Wednesday when Lorient face Monaco. Monaco have won both of their Ligue 1 matches following the World Cup break.
Teenage sensation Eliesse Ben Seghir scored twice on his debut as Monaco defeated Auxerre 3-2 in their last match of 2022. Then, Monaco defeated Brest 1-0 on an Aleksandr Golovin goal. Lorient defeated Angers 2-1 on Matchday 18 but have only won one of their last five matches on the Ligue 1 schedule.
Heading into Wednesday, Monaco are the favorites. They show -120 odds to cover the -½ goal spread and win the match. Meanwhile, Lorient come in at -110 odds to cover and +285 odds to win. Although Monaco have done better in the league in recent years, Lorient are unbeaten in the last three meetings.
‘While Lorient have been one of the best away teams in the league, they’re 4-1-3 at home. On the other hand, Monaco are an excellent 6-1-1 on the road so far. Two of the last three matches between these sides have finished in draws. So, a draw is priced at +285 odds for this one.’
Ben Seghir made his first start in place of Wissam Ben Yedder vs. Brest and could displace him once more. Ben Seghir is likely to pair up with Swiss international striker Breel Embolo as Kevin Volland is out with a rib injury. With Lorient’s number one keeper Yvon Mvogo out long term, expect Vito Mannone to continue to fill in.
Lorient’s defense is shaky and they’ve conceded in each of the last six Ligue 1 matches. It comes as no surprise that bettors are expecting goals here. Over 2½ goals displays -145 odds in the sportsbook.
Other Important Matches:
PSG vs Angers
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This match is just as important for PSG’s title chances as Angers’ chances of avoiding relegation. PSG are currently in first place in the Ligue 1 standings, while Angers are in dead last with a 2-2-13 record. Currently seven points from safety, Angers need a miracle here.
With astronomical moneyline odds, spread betting figures to be more popular for this match. PSG come in as 2½-goal favorites and show -125 odds to win by three or more. Angers sit at -105 odds to keep the match within two goals.
Lionel Messi and Neymar missed PSG’s 3-1 loss at Lens and should both be available come Wednesday. That’s bad news for an Angers side that has lost 14 straight matches to PSG.
That stat makes taking PSG at -800 odds seem a fair bit less crazy. Angers come in at +1300 odds and a draw is priced at +850 odds. The over/under goal total is a rare four goals here. Currently, the under is implied to be more likely, at -130 odds. Still, PSG have all of their main weapons back.
Strasbourg vs Lens
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Like Angers, Strasbourg are languishing in the relegation zone. Last year’s sixth place finish feels far removed at this point as Julian Stephan’s side battle to stay up.
Recall that four teams will go down as the league contracts to 18 teams in 2023-24. This is another tough match for Strasbourg as they look to avoid a three-game skid. Lens have impressed pundits and bettors alike this season and are continuing their title push.
Unsurprisingly, Lens are ½-goal favorites and priced at -105 moneyline and ATS odds. However, Strasbourg won both meetings last season by a 1-0 scoreline.
Desperately in need of a result, Strasbourg show -125 Ligue 1 Matchday 18 odds to cover and +265 odds to win the match. A draw, which Strasbourg would certainly take at this point, sits at +260 odds as well. Lens haven’t conceded more than one goal since August and the price for under 2½ goals is -125.
Troyes vs Marseille
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Troyes matches have been wild affairs this season. An average of 3.65 goals has been scored in their matches this season and they face a high flying Marseille side on Wednesday.
Marseille have won their last four Ligue 1 matches, for the longest current winning streak in the French top flight. However, defenders Nuno Tavares and Eric Bailly are suspended for Wednesday’s match. Midfielder Amine Harit is also working his way back from an ACL sprain.
‘The last meeting finished in a 1-1 draw and another is priced at +310 odds. With how many goals Troyes have been scoring and conceding, over 2½ goals comes in at -145 odds.’
Coming off a 3-2 win at Strasbourg, Troyes are still one-goal underdogs for this match. Troyes +1 shows -150 odds and Marseille -1 comes in at +120.
Marseille, who are unbeaten in the last seven meetings, are -155 favorites and Troyes are +355 underdogs. The last meeting finished in a 1-1 draw and another is priced at +310 odds. With how many goals Troyes have been scoring and conceding, over 2½ goals comes in at -145 odds.
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