Lyon to clinch Champions League spot in style against miserable Rennes

• Posted by: csabax
• 24 May 2013
• Football
• Comment!

After another successful season James Eastham signs off with the two smartest bets on the final weekend of league action in France...

 

Lyon v Rennes (3rd v 11th) Sun, 20:00 BST

 

Lyon are deservedly odds-on to win this game and clinch Ligue 1's third and final Champions League spot. Remi Garde's side are 2pts ahead of fourth-placed St Etienne  (who have a superior goal difference) and a further point ahead of Lille, so to avoid any last-minute nerves and confusion the simplest way to get the job done would  be to collect all three points.

Their chances of them doing that are arguably even greater than their 1.35 odds would suggest. Lyon have a decent home record (W10-D4-L4) and everything to play for,  but Rennes' awful form is an equally important factor.

 

Rennes were fourth at the winter break but have collapsed since Christmas, picking up just 14pts from their last 18 matches (W3-D5-L10). Their inability to put up  meaningful resistance in so many games explains why eight of Rennes' 10 defeats since the turn of the year have been by two goals or more.

 

Lyon are the sort of attack-minded team that are likely to keep going forward and score further goals rather than sitting on a one-goal lead. The home side's attacking  nature and Rennes' lack of character makes the hosts an appealing Asian Handicap selection.

 

Recommended Bet: Lyon -1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.1

 

Bastia v Sochaux (12th v 17th) Sun, 20:00 BST

 

Sochaux have spent more time than any other club in France's top flight but need a point here to be sure of playing in Ligue 1 next season.

 

Eric Hely's side are 3pts ahead of Troyes, who occupy the third and final relegation position (Brest and Nancy are already down). If Sochaux lose and Troyes win away  to Valenciennes - who have nothing to play for - Sochaux will go down on goal difference.

 

Playing for a point against hosts with nothing to play for might sound like a comfortable position to be in, but Bastia are not your average team. More than virtually  any other side in this division, the fiercely proud Corsicans are likely to want to sign off in style in front of their home fans after an exceptional season. Another  motivational factor is the fact they can still finish as high as 10th, something the players have referred to in recent weeks.

 

As a result this is likely to be an open game in which Bastia look to win and Sochaux probably have to score if they want to take at least a point. The stats also  suggest goals: Forty-four of 73 (60%) games involving these two sides this season have featured Over 2.5 Goals, including the first meeting between them on the opening  day of the campaign (Bastia won 3-2 at Sochaux).

 

Recommended Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.86

 

(Source: Betfair)

Bet HERE

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