Football Bet of the Day: Angers danger for Auxerre

Since Guy Roux said "Au Revoir", Auxerre have struggled

After a strong week's tipping, Tobias Gourlay has handed the reins to Kevin Hatchard, and he's taking us to France for our first wager.

Auxerre v Angers
Monday March 02, 19:30
Live on Betfair Live Video

If you've read the news recently, you'll know there are a few investigations in progress regarding bank accounts in Switzerland. Rest assured, there was nothing suspicious about Tobias Gourlay's Swiss profits yesterday, as Sion and Luzern landed him a 2.486/4 winner in the Over 2.5 Goals market.

As TG disappears to an Alpine retreat to count the takings from his fifth straight winner, let's hop over the border to France for a Ligue 2 clash between Auxerre and Angers.

When I was first getting into European football and slowly becoming the supergeek I am today, Auxerre were firmly established as a top-flight club. Under the guidance of wily old fox Guy Roux, they won the Ligue 1 title in 1996, and collected four Coupes de France. Roux managed AJA for 44 years in total (in your face, Arsene Wenger), and also led them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.

As Manchester United have found to their frustration, replacing a club stalwart who has spanned decades is incredibly tough. In 2012, Auxerre dropped into the second division, and they haven't been able to find their way back to the big time.

This season has been a modest effort, with Auxerre 10th in the standings, eight points adrift of the promotion spots. They have drawn too many games, racking up 12 stalemates in 25 outings.

Tonight's visitors Angers look a more realistic promotion bet. Les Scoistes are just two places and three points off the top three, and they are in form, having won five of their last seven games. They are also boosted by the return from suspension of top scorer Jonathan Kodjia, who has banged in 14 league goals this term.

I'm struggling to see why Angers are 4.03/1 to win, but because Auxerre draw so many, let's make a wager that covers the draw and the away win. If we back Angers +0 & +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.0811/10, we get a half-win if the game is drawn, and a full win in the event of an away victory. Only a home win scuppers us, and Auxerre have won just four of their 12 league games at the Stade de l'Abbe-Deschamps.

Recommended Bet

Back Angers +0 & +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.0811/10

2015 P/L (1 pt per bet)

Points Staked: 27

Points Returned: 24.54

P/L: -2.46 points