Spotlight on Paris as Becks new side look to continue good form

1Feb 2013

Jonno Turner stumps for two tips to see off the week in style today.

We're off to France for our penultimate pick of the week - and David Beckham's new side Paris Saint Germain travel to Toulouse, looking to extend their lead at the top of Ligue 1.

Becks has pledged to give all of his earnings away, but we're not in the business of that, so we've gone for two solid selections today. Carlo Ancelotti's side struggled to get going during the opening exchanges of the season, but have really come into their own of late - and sit top of the table, tied on points with second placed Lyon.

The visitors have not lost in 10 games going into this tie, and have already beaten Toulouse comfortably in the last fortnight - a 3-1 Coupe de France victory giving the Saints much confidence ahead of this one.

In terms of personnel, this clash comes too soon for Beckham, who will start training with his new team mates next week. But there is some good news for Ancelotti, who welcomes back Thiago Silva, Kevin Gameiro and Zoumana Camara to the squad following injury - and PSG's other marquee January signing Lucas Moura is likely to start on the right following an impressive performance in his sides 1-0 defeat of Lille last time out.

But for all the plaudits being heaped on the attacking quality in PSG's side, their defence has also been holding their own - and three clean sheets from their last four games shows that Ancelotti has not neglected that side of his squad.

Hosts Toulouse go into this one having won just one of their last four outings, and that leaves the Stadium Municipal side sitting in 10th place in the top tier.

Alain Casanova's side have only kept one clean sheet in their last half a dozen games, and that could be a major factor in the outcome of this clash, with their guests so hot in front of goal.

And six without a win from their last 10 home outings will have knocked confidence in the home camp, who also have key defender Aymen Abdennour missing on international duty, and Jonathan Zebina and Adrien Regattin out injured.

PSG have won the last seven meetings between these two sides, and although they're fairly short, I make them a decent back to see us into the weekend in style today.

Bet 1: Paris Saint Germain (AWAY) @ 1.85

Turning our attentions to the Netherlands for our final selection this week - as two seemingly out of sorts sides in Waalwijk and Heerenveen meet in the Eredivisie.

The hosts have lost just two of their last nine outings in the league, and that will give them confidence as they welcome a struggling away side to the Mandemakers Stadion.

Erwin Koeman has seen his side unbeaten in four of their last five on their own patch - securing three clean sheets in that time - and that leaves the home team sitting 10th in the table, just two points off the Europa League places.

Visitors Heerenveen go into this clash in miserable form, and have not won on the road in 10 outings.

Marco Van Basten's side are teetering on the edge of the relegation play-off places on 19 points, and have not kept a clean sheet away from home since August.

And 19 goals shipped in their last half a dozen on their travels suggests that they are likely to present their opponents with a chance or two this evening.

When these two sides met in November, Waalwijk came out on top in a comfortable 2-0 victory, and I expect the hosts to

Bet 2: Waalwijk (HOME) @ 2.06