Ligue 1 Betting: Under-fire PSG set to answer critics

Poor results have put Paris boss Carlo Ancelotti under pressure

After picking out three winners seven days ago, James Eastham selects the best French football bets across this weekend...

Toulouse v Bastia (8th v 12th) Fri, 19:45 GMT

Two important players are missing for Toulouse tonight - Tunisia centre-half Aymen Abdennour and France international midfielder Etienne Capoue. Without those two, the home side are less likely to keep a clean sheet.

Bastia produced one of their most impressive performances of the season to draw 0-0 at Lille last weekend. And they will be stronger here as playmaker Jerome Rothen and attackers Wahbi Khazri and Toifilou Maoulida return. If they are as organised and determined as last week, they should be good enough to get a point.

PSG v Evian (4th v 17th) Sat, 16:00 GMT 

After PSG's impressive 2-1 Champions League win over FC Porto on Tuesday night, club captain Thiago Silva admitted the players were more motivated on European nights than for domestic occasions. That could change here, though - PSG's European campaign is now on hold for a couple of months so it's time for the players to concentrate on clawing back the five-point gap that has opened up to league leaders Lyon.

Evian stand little chance of getting anything. They're one of the division's most limited sides and will almost certainly be embroiled in the relegation battle next spring. Ultimately PSG's superior technical ability ought to ensure a comfortable home win.

I support the hosts on the Asian Handicap.

Troyes v Nice (19th v 9th) Sat, 19:00 GMT

French football followers that have watched these teams this season will expect goals. Troyes and Nice are both better at attacking than defending, and the stats back this up. Both teams have scored in 13 of Troyes' last 17 matches, while both teams have also scored in 14 of Nice's last 16 games against Ligue 1 opposition.

If you look through the players on show, these stats are no surprise. Troyes have great midfield runners and Nice some tremendous attackers, but some of the defenders on view - Matthieu Saunier, Florian Jarjat, Romain Genevois and others - have limited Ligue 1 experience.

Both teams to score is the bet.

Nancy v Valenciennes (20th v 5th) Sat, 19:00 GMT

Bottom club Nancy went through a dreadful run of scoring form earlier in the season - from August to September they went six games without finding the net - but recently have improved. Jean Fernandez's side have netted seven times in their last five games, which is one of the reasons I fancy both teams to score here.

The other is Valenciennes are one of the best attacking sides in the division. They've scored in 10 of their last 11 games, only failing to find the net against St Etienne, Ligue 1's best defence. They have conceded in 10 of their last 11 games as well. Back both teams to score.

Marseille v Lorient (2nd v 11th) Sun, 16:00 GMT

Marseille recorded an excellent 2-1 win last weekend at Brest, previously unbeaten at home. Joey Barton set-up both goals and added much-needed drive from midfield. No-one else in the Marseille squad has that ability.

Lorient are one of the division's unpredictable sides. Having climbed as high as fourth in October they're now 11th after four defeats in six games. Yet on their day they're capable of taking points off anyone.

My bet is both teams to score. Marseille and Lorient have both found the net in 13 of 15 league games so far, with Marseille managing just two clean sheets in their last nine matches. Lorient, dangerous on the break, may nick something.

St Etienne v Lyon (3rd v 1st) Sun, 20:00 GMT

St Etienne have been excellent this season but at 2.245/4 they look too short at home to Lyon. The visitors top the table and have the class and experience to avoid defeat.

Defensively Lyon remain vulnerable, and that's a concern against the brilliant Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but going forward Remi Garde's side boast a wealth of talent, with Yoann Gourcuff, Michel Bastos and 10-goal top scorer Bafetimbi Gomis all on view. The latter will be determined to score against his former club.

The draw looks the most likely outcome. If, however, like me, you feel the visitors could nick the win, support Lyon on the Asian Handicap.

Recommended Bets

Best Bet: Troyes v Nice Both Teams to Score @ 1.8910/11
Lay Toulouse v Bastia @ 1.715/7
PSG -1.5&-2.0 Asian Handicap v Evian @ 1.9520/21
Nancy v Valenciennes Both Teams to Score @ 1.9210/11
Marseille v Lorient Both Teams to Score @ 2.0621/20
Lyon +0&+0.5 Asian Handicap at St Etienne @ 1.9620/21

James Eastham has made 34.91pts profit from 388pts staked on Ligue 1 matches and outrght markets since August 2008 (8.9% ROI). You can follow him on twitter: @james_eastham