Hot on the heels of the Premier League, Ligue 1 is back on 28th December, the French policy of letting their Christmas dinner digest properly coming into play!
Following the disappointment of losing the 2022 World Cup final on penalties, the French need a fix of domestic football to take away the pain. And with just five days to wait and the holiday interlude to help pass the time quickly, the action is just around the corner, and there are some mouth-watering clashes to look forward to next week.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Strasbourg
If ever there was a home banker then surely this is it. 1st plays 19th and the Galacticos of PSG are in full swing, most of them going deep into the World Cup in Qatar, and form before the break shows a huge gulf between the two teams. Strasbourg are six without a win while PSG have won the last six and have a home record of six wins and one draw and striker Kylian Mbappe will be keen to show he is the best player in the league. He won the Golden Boot in Qatar but the relationship between Mbappe and his team-mates has never been cosy. The France star is top scoring with 12 goals, while Neymar has 11 and Messi seven, but the Argentine has made ten assists while Neymar has eight and Mbappe just two.
Of course Messi has just lifted the World Cup with Argentina and that might make the tension between the old guard and Mbappe a little more fraught. If PSG do have a hangover then Strasbourg strikers, Habib Diallo and Kevin Gameiro, with six and five goals respectively, will hope to take advantage.
Tip: PSG Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 1.99
Marseilles vs Toulouse
The Ligue 1 2022 betting odds make PSG the hot favourites to win the 2022/23 title, but Olympique Marseilles, sitting in fourth place in the table, will have their eyes on second place. OM have stuttered at times this season and their form going into the World Cup break was not inspiring, with two wins one draw and three defeats, but it was better than Toulouse who suffered four defeats and eked out two draws.
OM have proven quality in the side with former Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez alongside another ex Gunner in Matteo Guendouzi who made it into the France World Cup squad.
It’s fourth vs 12th and the SBOTOP odds make it a home win.
Tip: Marseille Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.80
Nice vs Lens
This game is ninth versus second in the table and, having put together a spectacular set of Ligue 1 2022 results, Lens are the league’s surprise package. They put in a good campaign last season to finish seventh and head coach Frank Haise is hoping to lead his team into Europe.
The strike partnership of Lois Openda, with seven goals, and Florian Sotoca with six goals and five assists, is one of the best in the league and they will stretch the Nice defence. Two more ex Arsenal players might be lining up for the hosts; striker Nicolas Pepe is aiming to add to his four goals while midfielder Aaron Ramsay has returned from World Cup duty with Wales.
In terms of recent form the visitors were on fire before the break, winning the last six while Nice won two drew two and lost two.
Tip: 1X2 Draw @ 2.85
Auxerre vs Monaco
17th plays sixth at the Stade de L’Abbe Deschamps as the hosts, who came up through the play-offs last season continue their battle against a swift return to the second tier. Both teams went into the break with three wins, two draws and a single defeat and, for Auxerre in particular, a return of that form would be most welcome.
Monaco have proven quality up front with Swiss striker Breel Embolo on seven goals. Alongside Wissam Ben Yedder who has scored six.
The visitors’ away form has been impressive, Monaco are unbeaten in six games on the road while Auxerre have won two at home all season.
Tip: 1X2 Monaco @ 1.75
Ajaccio vs Angers
There’s a basement battle on the island of Corsica when Ajaccio, currently 18th, take on the rock bottom men of Angers. 30 year old winger Mohammed Youcef, who arrived at Ajaccio from Brest in October, has made a spectacular start and he could be the key player in a nervy encounter, having already contributed three goals and two assists in his five appearances.
Angers are without a win in ten and are in danger of being cut adrift, though a win would probably see them draw level with Strasbourg.
Tip: 1X2 Ajaccio @ 1.95
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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