Ligue 1 Betting: Marseille and Rennes the value picks

Marcelo Bielsa looks on before l'OM's 3-1 win over Bordeaux

After another profitable weekend last time out, James Eastham picks out the smartest selections on the latest round of French League fixtures, including two big televised clashes...

Marseille v Nantes (1st v 4th)
Fri, 19:30 GMT
Live on BT Sport 1

Marseille produced a heavyweight performance to beat Bordeaux 3-1 last weekend. They went 1-0 down on 55 minutes but equalised five minutes later and then showed they have character as well as class by scoring twice in the final 10 minutes.

That win ensured Marseille are top of the table going into this week's fixtures. The attendance at Stade Velodrome was 54,323 and there will be another huge crowd this weekend.

Nantes are exceeding expectations (4th) but are a limited side. Their away record is good (W3-D2-L1) but that's more down to the teams they've faced -  Metz, Bastia, Guingamp, Evian and Caen. The only time they faced decent opposition they lost (2-0 at Lille).

Even at home Nantes have dropped points every time they've faced a good team (0-1 v Monaco, 1-1 v Lyon, 0-0 v St Etienne). This step-up in class will be too much for a side with some good Ligue 1 pros but mediocre compared to Marseille in all areas of the field.

Marseille are 1.594/7 to win. For better odds back the hosts -1.0 Asian handicap (for more on how to use the Asian handicap markets, click here). That way you'll make money if Marseille win by two goals or more.

Recommended Bet
Marseille -1.0 Asian handicap @ 2.01/1

Rennes v Monaco (7th v 8th)
Sat, 19:00 GMT

Monaco's status as favourites to win this game owes more to reputation than reason. Monaco may have finished Ligue 1 runners-up last season but have been far more mediocre this season.

Going into the game they lie eighth having won only five of their opening 14 Ligue 1 fixtures (W5-D5-L4). Their away record is a respectable W3-D2-L2 but two of those away wins came against struggling Montpellier and Bastia, and their other win was against a Nantes side whose current league position is misleading because they've had easy fixtures.

Rennes are 2pts above Monaco and an excellent W4-D1-L1 at home. The hosts are unbeaten in seven games (W5-D2-L0) and will be fresher - unlike Monaco, who faced Bayer Leverkusen away in the Champions League on Wednesday night, Rennes had no midweek commitments.

The price of 2.982/1 on Rennes is fantastic value. Either back them to win or back Rennes Draw No Bet (DNB). With the second wager you'll get your money back if the game ends all-square.

Recommended Bet
Rennes DNB @ 2.111/10

St Etienne v Lyon (6th v 3rd)
Sun, 20:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport 2

St Etienne are favourites to win this derby but it's hard to agree with the market's view of the game.

First, Lyon are three places and 4pts above St Etienne in the Ligue 1 table. Second, St Etienne have only the 11th-best home record in the division (W3-D3-L1).

Third, St Etienne's Ligue 1 form immediately after European encounters is moderate - W2-D2-L2 or 1.33 points-per-game, as opposed to 1.64 points-per-game generally this season. Fourth, Lyon arrive in formidable form - they're W5-D1-L0 since the start of October and W7-D3-L0 since the start of September.

All things considered Lyon are a good bet to avoid defeat, especially as they're underdogs on the night. Either back them to win or back them with a small Asian handicap start once the market is liquid, nearer to kick-off. With the Asian handicap wager you'll make money if Lyon win or the game ends in a draw.

Recommended Bet
Lyon +0&+0.5 Asian handicap @ 1.855/6 or better

2014-15 P/L (1pt per bet)

Staked: 43pts
Returned: 46.73pts
P/L: +3.73pts