Ligue 1 Betting: Title challengers Marseille to maintain pressure at top of table

Marcelo Bielsa will oversee l'OM's trip to Lens this weekend

After another profitable weekend last weekend and 14 winners from his last 21 tips, James Eastham picks out the smartest bets in France ahead of the latest round of matches...

St Etienne v Lille (5th v 8th)
Sun, 13:00 GMT
Live on ESPN

On the basis of the stats you'd never both sides to score here but this fixture comes at a time where St Etienne and Lille both look capable of finding the net, for various reasons.

Defences are better than attacks on both sides. These two teams have the joint third-best defences in the division. St Etienne have only the joint-seventh-best attack, Lille the joint-17th-best. Both teams have scored in only 10 of St Etienne's 29 Ligue 1 matches and only 10 of Lille's 29 matches.

Yet the two sides' recent performances and this weekend's team news points to goals. St Etienne were 3-2 winners at Metz last weekend. Chasing a European spot, they will play to win. Competition in attack, where six players are in contention for three positions, is bringing out the best in those contenders.

Last weekend striker Mevlut Erding and wingers Max-Alain Gradel and Yohan Mollo (off the bench) scored, while another winger, Romain Hamouma, set-up two goals. Defensively St Etienne are missing the power and presence of Moustapha Bayal Sall.

Lille have won their last three games, which is their best mini-run of results of the season. Last weekend they beat Rennes 3-0, only the second time they have scored three goals in a Ligue 1 match this season. They are no longer under threat of a relegation battle so are under less pressure. And they are below-strength in defence as Franck Beria and Djibril Sidibe, their best two left-backs, are both out.

Recommended Bet
'Yes' in Both Teams to Score? Market @ 2.47/5

Lens v Marseille (19th v 3rd)
Sun, 20:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport 2

There is a substantial difference in standard between these teams so it's a surprise to find Marseille at decent odds.

The visitors are title challengers and playing well. Last weekend they impressed at home to title rivals Lyon (0-0) and a fortnight ago ran out 6-1 winners at Toulouse. Marseille's form dipped in January and February but the squad has its zest back following a series of clear-the-air meetings at the club's training ground.

Lens are in the relegation zone and will struggle to get out of it. Antoine Kombouare's young squad's desire and determination is admirable but against better sides they are found wanting. Their record against top-half sides this season is W1-D3-L10.

Marseille are below-strength in defence as centre-backs Nicolas Nkoulou and Jeremy Morel are unavailable but should still have ample quality to win.

Recommended Bet
Marseille @ 1.84/5

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

Staked: 96pts
Returned: 103.01pts
P/L: +7.01pts