Six bets so far this season in France from Mark O’Haire with only one loss, so he’s keeping the gallic theme going this weekend with two more selections from Ligue 1
Brest have impressed during the opening exchanges of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 campaign and will be targeting back-to-back victories when Montpellier arrive at the Stade Francis Le Ble on Sunday afternoon.
Les Pirates produced a spirited performance despite a 3-2 defeat at Lens on matchday one before deserving more from a 1-1 draw at home to Marseille.
Michel Der Zakarian’s outfit produced plenty in the final third against last term’s runners-up, generating 2.05 Expected Goals (xG) and firing in 17 attempts at goal, the bulk of which arrived from open play.
Brest then picked up maximum points when securing a 3-1 success at Angers in their most recent outing with the Brittany side well in-command before a red card tipped the tussle even further in their favour. The expansive outfit registered 1.85 xG and landed ten efforts from inside the penalty area in another enterprising display.
Michel Der Zakarian’s Brest side have been great entertainers on home turf so far this season!
Back at base, Brest are lively operators, and I expect another entertaining encounter this weekend.
For all their own firepower, the hosts have been exposed on the flanks this term and are anything but pragmatic; Les Pirates have scored in 16/20 home games since the start of last season yet managed to keep their sheets clean just five times.
Der Zarkarian’s former side are now in town, and Montpellier play from a similarly forward-thinking blueprint under the watch of Olivier Dall’Oglio.
La Paillade might be missing key playmaker Teji Savanier on Sunday. Still, MHSC have enjoyed a reasonable transfer market, putting together an exuberant squad packed with pace and poise in attacking areas.
However, Montpellier still aren’t to be trusted at the back and continue to lack the defensive steel required to make the step up in their quest to compete for European qualification places.
The hosts have serious concerns at centre-back and have appeared vulnerable at set-pieces during the embryonic stages of the season.
Regarding the raw numbers, the visitors have notched in 14/20 road trips since the beginning of 2021/22, recording a measly four shutouts. Those fixtures have averaged 3.2 goals per game, with eight even breaking the Over 3.5 Goals barrier.
The first six matches this season involving these two clubs have featured 26 goals, with all six paying out for Both Teams To Score backers, five overcoming the Over 2.5 Goals hurdle and four even producing four goals or more.
I’m anticipating another open and enjoyable encounter between two attack-minded sides.
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Nice have made a slow start to the new Ligue 1 season and could be vulnerable for their Derby de la Mediterranee date with Marseille on Sunday afternoon.
Les Aiglons have failed to fire thus far (W0-D2-L1) and come into this clash without suspended midfielder Mario Lemina and key centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo following an ill-disciplined defeat at Clermont.
Lucien Favre’s side are also involved in a crunch Europa Conference League qualification tie against Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Thursday night. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, there’s a level of expectation on Nice to battle back and secure a much-vaunted return to continental competition, and the hosts may therefore arrive at Sunday’s clash fatigued.
Marseille have quietened critics with a better-than-expected opening salvo in Ligue 1 (W2-D1-L0), and Igor Tudor’s team have impressed in forward areas.
Les Phoceens have switched to a 3-4-1-2 system with new wing-back signings Nuno Tavares and Jonathan Clauss earning rave reviews for their contributions.
And OM aren’t exactly short of firepower.
Mark fancies a rejuvenated and rested Marseille side to get a result in the Derby de la Mediterranee
Les Olympiens took four points off their near neighbours last season and come into this contest well-rested, well-prepared and well-capable of collecting at least a share of the spoils on Sunday, and therefore backing Marseille with a +0.0/0.5 start holds plenty of appeal knowing we’ll make money should the visitors avoid defeat.
