Ligue 1: Monaco will struggle to produce repeat of Arsenal heroics

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco will be on show on Sunday night

On a run of nine winners from his last 12 recommended tips, James Eastham picks out the top selections across this weekend's fixtures in France...

Lille v Lyon (12th v 1st)
Sat, 15:00 GMT

Lille's poor scoring form is the reason I expect Lyon to avoid defeat this weekend.

Rene Girard's hosts have Ligue 1's third-worst scoring stats having netted just 21 goals in 26 games. The absence of a reliable finisher since they sold Salomon Kalou to Hertha Berlin last year means they've lost that habit they had last season of nicking points without playing well.

At home Lille are difficult to beat (W6-D5-L2) but their high draw is the reason they're mid-table rather than challenging for a top-four spot.

Lyon are a quick and dangerous counter-attacking side and will draw heart from the fact that Lille's normally reliable centre-back duo Simon Kjaer and Marko Basa looked less solid than usual at Bastia (2-1 defeat) last weekend.

Lyon Draw No Bet (DNB) is the pick. With this wager you'll get your stakes back if the game ends in a draw and make money if Lyon win.

Recommended Bet
Lyon DNB @ 1.910/11

Bordeaux v Reims (6th v 15th)
Sat, 19:00 GMT

Bordeaux extended their unbeaten run to five games (W2-D3-L0) with a creditable point at Rennes (1-1) last weekend and look a good bet to win on Saturday night.

Since adding a couple of new players in the January transfer window and welcoming back some important squad members from the Africa Cup of Nations Willy Sagnol's hosts have looked an altogether stronger side. There is excellent competition for places in all areas of the team and when players are missing Sagnol has good back-up options he can call upon. Significantly Bordeaux have an excellent W5-D1-L0 record at home to bottom-half teams.

Visitors Reims are winless in 2015 (W0-D3-L4) and under pressure having slipped towards the relegation zone. After their dismal 0-0 draw against Metz last weekend it is hard to see them raising their game sufficiently to challenge hosts that have built up decent momentum in recent weeks. For advice on how to use Asian handicap betting, click here.

Recommended Bet
Bordeaux -0.5&-1.0 Asian handicap @ 1.9420/21

Monaco v PSG (4th v 2nd)
Sun, 20:00 GMT

Monaco stunned football fans on both sides of the channel with their 3-1 win at Arsenal on Wednesday night but I don't expect a repeat performance in France's big game this weekend.

Leonardo Jardim's side produced a tremendous display at the Emirates Stadium but Arsenal missed some excellent chances and it's hard to see Monaco playing as well on Sunday night. The Principality outfit are on an excellent run in all competitions (W12-D5-L1) but have faltered in Ligue 1 in recent weeks. They needed a late defensive mistake from the hosts to grab a 1-0 win at Nice last weekend, lost 1-0 at Guingamp in their previous league fixture and were lucky to escape with a point at home to Lyon (0-0) at the start of February.

PSG will be fresh having had no midweek fixture and have played ominously well in their last few outings. After a good performance against Chelsea (1-1) in the Champions League they brushed aside Toulouse in the league (3-1) last weekend and are playing with a seriousness and professionalism we haven't always seen this weekend.

The draw at 3.1511/5 and PSG to win at 2.427/5 are both worth considering. My pick is PSG on the Asian handicap - with our wager you'll get half your stakes back if the game ends all-square and make a profit if PSG win.

Recommended Bet
PSG -0&-0.5 Asian handicap @ 2.03n/a

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

Staked: 87pts
Returned: 92.66pts
P/L: +5.66pts