Monaco v Lorient: Ligue 1 leaders set to record another big win
The race for the Ligue 1 title is usually no more than a 38-game procession for Paris Saint-Germain but this year, the champions have some serious competition. Nice made a blistering start to the domestic campaign and are still in the mix but the biggest dangers could well be a Monaco side who host Lorient this weekend.
Leonardo Jardim’s side are a goal scoring machine, led by the rejuvenated Radamel Falcao who struggled to regain his best form in England but has certainly made up for lost time on his return to the Stade Louis II.
The home side have notched a league high 60 goals in just 20 games this season and while defensive they may not be as watertight as some of the other top teams, their irresistible form makes them an attractive proposition if you can find a decent angle.
Backing Monaco straight up at 1/3 (1.33) with Betway won’t get punters too hot under the collar but there are some combination bets which mean that Sunday’s hosts look a very solid selection.
Lorient are 7/1 (8.0) outsiders and the draw is 19/4 (4.75). Those lengthy odds on the visitors look entirely justified when you consider that they have picked up just two points away from home this season. Their last away day saw Bernard Casoni’s side hammered 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain and they’ve been on the wrong end of some goal-filled defeats in the past few months.
Six of their previous seven away days have gone over 2.5 goals, in fact, they’ve averaged 3.85 goals per game and given Monaco’s fire power, we could be in for plenty more fireworks once more.
Both teams to score is a 7/10 (1.70) chance and understandably so, the hosts have been somewhat leaky at times this season, conceding in four of their previous six Ligue 1 matches. Ever a popular bet, the Win and BTTS market sees Monaco at an industry best price of 8/5 (2.60) which could appeal but there are some tastier prices to get stuck into.
One of which is Monaco to win and over 2.5 goals, that’s priced at 8/11 (1.73) by Betway, it’s not the juiciest wager ever but given it has paid out in 13 of the league leaders’ 14 league wins this season, it’s tough to look past another high-scoring victory and should appeal as a single wager.
Given that case, take some of the 6/4 (2.50) on the home win and over 3.5 goals. That’s something which has also paid out with regularly and given Lorient’s struggles on the road and their thumping defeat at third place PSG last time out, it could be another long afternoon for the club who sit 19th in the French top flight.