French Ligue 1 matches kick off this weekend on Friday when Ligue 1 leader Lille hosts Montpellier. Paris Saint-Germain, fresh off an aggregate Champions League victory versus Bayern, hits the pitch against Saint-Etienne on Sunday. Check out analysis, Ligue 1 odds and free picks for those matches as well as all the other great Ligue 1 action happening this weekend.
Top French Ligue 1 Games to Watch this Week (April 16th – 18th)
Friday, April 16th Match
- Montpellier +433 / Lille -163
Since a couple of losses, one was 0-3 versus Paris Saint-Germain, Lille has bounced back with 2 straight victories. The home team exacted revenge over PSG on April 3. Lille followed up the win versus Paris Saint-Germain with a 2-0 victory versus Metz. Although Lille looks solid, Montpellier hung with the favored squad in the last head-to-head, falling by a single goal. The road team is in decent form with 3 draws and 2 wins. They can pull off the upset.
Soccer Free Pick: Montpellier
Saturday, April 17th Matches
- Stade Rennais +122 / Angers +236
Stade Rennais looks to have Angers over a barrel. Angers has a win, 2 draws, and 2 losses in their last 5. Rennais has 3 wins and a draw in their last 4. But Angers won the last head-to-head. Still, it’s difficult to look past the road squad given their form.
Soccer Free Pick: Stade Rennais
- Lorient +277 / Marseille -104
Marseille offers fair odds considering they’ve won 3 with a draw and a loss in their last 5. Lorient’s form is much worse. The road team has won once in their last 5. Marseille beat Lorient 1-0 last October.
Soccer Free Pick: Marseille
Sunday, April 18th Matches
- Saint-Etienne +1 ½ (-116) / Paris Saint-Germain -1 ½ (-114)
On April 13, Bayern beat PSG 1-0. But because Paris scored more road goals, they won on the aggregate. Paris Saint-Germain beat Strasbourg 4-1 in their last Ligue 1 match. Saint-Etienne has played well in recent matches, though, going 3-1 SU in their last 4. Also, Saint-Etienne forced a draw in the last head-to-head. Another draw is probable.
Soccer Free Pick: Draw
- Metz +215 / Stade Reims +131
Reims has drawn in 3 of their last 5. The other two games ended in victories. Metz has lost 4 straight. The road squad in this did win the last head-to-head. But that was back in September 2020. Both these teams are in different places now than they were then.
Soccer Free Pick: Stade Reims
- Nice -131 / Dijon +322
Dijon is in last place and it isn’t close. Nantes, in second to last place, has 28 points. Dijon has 15 points. The home team has won 2 matches this season. Surprisingly, one of the victories was a 3-1 win against Nice back on Nov. 29. Will history repeat itself? Probably not, but at the odds, Dijon is worth a look.
Soccer Free Pick: Dijon
- Strasbourg +100 / Nimes +244
If we go off form, Nimes has a shot. But Strasbourg beat Nimes 5-0 in the last head-to-head. Nimes should put forth a much better effort. The road squad should still grab the win.
Soccer Free Pick: Strasbourg
- Lens +142 / Stade Brestois +184
With 2 draws and 3 losses in their last 5, Brest doesn’t host Lens in their best form. Lens has won 2 and drawn twice in their last 4. On Dec. 23, Lens beat Brest 2-0. The road team gets the nod.
Soccer Free Pick: Lens
- As Monaco -156 / Bordeaux +393
The -156 on As Monaco makes them an overlay. Monaco has won 4 straight while Bordeaux has lost 3 straight and 4-of-5. In the last head-to-head, Monaco blasted Bordeaux 4-0. Grab the more than fair odds on Monaco.
Soccer Free Pick: As Monaco
- Lyonnais +1 ½ (+136) / Nantes +1 ½ (-181)
Lyon has taken the last couple of head-to-head matches, including beating Nantes 3-0 in the last. The odds on Nantes makes them a handicap underlay. Backing Lyon to win by at least 2 goals is the best play.
Soccer Free Pick: Lyonnais
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