Ligue 1 Matchday 31 Odds, Preview
Relegation Race Picking Up
Title Implications in PSG vs Lens
With two losses in their last three games, Paris Saint-Germain have opened up the door to a title challenge. This weekend second-placed Lens will head to Paris needing a win to stay in the thick of the title race. We’ll cover what figures to be one of the most important matches of the season, along with other big matches as we review the Ligue 1 Matchday 31 odds. With four teams facing relegation as Ligue 1 contracts from 20 to 18 teams next season, the battle at the bottom of the table is also of the utmost importance. Two teams in the relegation zone, Strasbourg and Ajaccio will also face off on Sunday.
Match of the Week
PSG vs Lens
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PSG avoided a third straight defeat by taking down Nice on the road by a 2-0 scoreline. Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos were on the scoresheet for the Parisians, which were PSG’s first goals for nearly a month. Meanwhile, Lens have rattled off four straight wins in their title push and defeated Strasbourg 2-1 last weekend.
Although Lens are unbeaten in Ligue 1 for two months, PSG enter the match as 0.5-goal favorites. Christophe Galtier’s injury-stricken side shows -145 ATS and moneyline odds as the top two teams in the Ligue 1 standings clash on Saturday.
While PSG are favorites, they are dealing with injury issues. Neymar, Presnel Kimpembe and Nordi Mukiele have all been ruled out for the season. Midfielders Marco Verratti and Renato Sanches are also dealing with injuries.
Lens, who are unbeaten in their last three games vs. PSG, come in at +115 odds to cover the spread. They’re also +360 underdogs heading into Saturday but beat PSG 3-1 on New Year’s Day. Two of the last three meetings have finished in draws but a draw displays +305 odds for this one.
Lens certainly need to be careful with the dynamic duo of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. They’ve combined for 33 goals this season, nearly half of PSG’s scoring output. Lois Openda has also gotten on the scoresheet 15 times for Lens this season.
With attacking talent on both sides, the over/under goals total is currently at three. However, the under comes in at -140 odds. This is the biggest match of the season so far for both sides and it’s an excellent opportunity for Lens to flash their title credentials.
Other Important Matches
Rennes vs Reims
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Two European contenders meet on Saturday as Rennes host upstart Reims. A win over sixth-placed Rennes this weekend could potentially see eight-placed Reims overtake them in the Ligue 1 table on goal difference. Both teams will be shooting for at least a fifth-place finish and a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League.
Only Marseille and Monaco have fewer Ligue 1 road losses than Reims this season. The Ligue 1 Matchday 31 odds price Will Still’s Reims as +0.5-goal underdogs here, though. Notably, Reims sit at -155 odds to cover the spread. Their last Ligue 1 road loss was all the way back in September.
The visitors also show +220 moneyline odds for Saturday’s match. Although Rennes have consistently finished above Reims over the last few seasons, Reims have had their number in this fixture. Reims have won two of the last three, including a 3-1 win back in December.
Reims have also lost just one of the last nine head-to-head matchups. Still, Rennes are +125 moneyline favorites and also show the same odds to cover the spread. A draw also displays +240 odds here.
Although Rennes are favorites, they’ve certainly struggled lately. They’ve dropped their last two Ligue 1 matches, to Lyon and Lens and have only defeated PSG out of their last five opponents. Sensing the urgency here, perhaps Rennes will be up for another big match. Keep tabs on Rennes GK Steve Mandanda’s status ahead of this match.
He missed their last match with an undisclosed problem and Dogan Alemdar could get another nod if Mandanda can’t suit up. Bettors should also be aware that Reims’ Folarin Balogun has scored 18 goals this season, including the last-minute equalizer vs. Brest last Sunday. Although both teams are more than capable of scoring, under 2.5 goals sit at -125 odds.
Strasbourg vs Ajaccio
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For late season betting on ligue 1 certainly don’t overlook matches between teams in the relegation zone. These sides should be highly motivated to pick up points in an effort to ensure survival. Strasbourg an Ajaccio are two such teams and they’ll meet on Sunday.
While 19th-placed Ajaccio are seven points from safety, a win could take Strasbourg out of the relegation zone. Strasbourg have not done well at home this season, though. They’ve won just three of their 15 matches in Strasbourg.
Meanwhile, Ajaccio are the lowest scoring team in the league. Four of their 21 goals this season came in a 4-2 win in the reverse fixture back in November. That was the first Ligue 1 meeting between these clubs since 2006.
Although Strasbourg have struggled for form, Habib Diallo has been a bright spot. He’s scored 15 goals this season but will miss out on Sunday’s match due to a suspension. That said, Strasbourg are still 0.5-goal favorites for the match. The hosts sit at -135 ATS and moneyline odds.
Ajaccio have scored comfortably under a goal per game on the road this season. They come in at +105 odds to cover and just +425 odds to complete a season sweep over Strasbourg. Ajaccio have Mohamed Youssouf suspended here, while joint-leading scorer Youcef Belaili has a groin injury.
Dimitri Lienard and Maxime Le Marchand are fighting to return for Strasbourg in time for the match. In what should be a hotly contested match, a draw shows +245 odds and over two goals come in at -125 odds.
Marseille vs Troyes
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With two successive draws, Marseille have nearly played themselves out of the title race. Third-placed OM are now eight points behind Paris Saint-Germain and take on relegation-threatened Troyes on Sunday.
Troyes have conceded the joint-most goals in Ligue 1, with 64 allowed in 30 games. Following a scoreless draw vs Lorient, Marseille are favored to get on the scoresheet in this one. In fact, the Ligue 1 Matchday 31 odds price Marseille over 2.5 goals at -120.
Alexis Sanchez has led OM this season with 12 goals, while Jonathan Clauss is fourth in the league, with 8 assists. Troyes, on the other hand are winless in their last 13 matches. That’s a streak that dates back to early January. With just 21 points, Troyes are seven points from safety and will need a late season push to stave off relegation.
The two-goal underdogs sit at -125 odds to cover the spread and +1100 moneyline odds. Marseille have won six of the last eight meetings between the two sides and are -475 moneyline favorites here. They also come in at -105 odds to cover the spread.
Two of those eight meetings have finished in draws and another displays +600 odds. Heading into Sunday’s match, midfielders Azzedine Ounahi and Amine Harit are injured for Marseille. Troyes have Abdu Conte, Renaud Ripart, Florian Tardieu and Jeff Reine-Adelaide on the injured list as well.
Over three goals are priced at -135 odds as Troyes matches have often been shootouts this season. Their games have averaged a Ligue 1-leading 4.13 goals per match.
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