This past week, Paris Saint-Germain closed the door on Barcelona in the Champions League. On Sunday, Ligue 1’s top squad heads to Lyonnaise to battle one of their biggest rivals in a top France League match. On Saturday, Ligue 1 Standings’ leader Lille hosts Nimes a big time favorite. Check out analysis, Ligue 1 odds, and free picks for this weekend’s top France Ligue 1 games.
Top Ligue 1 Games to Watch this Week (March 20th – 21st)
Saturday, March 20th Games
- Marseille +144 / Nice +162
Neither Nice nor Marseille has much of a shot of catching Paris Saint-Germain, Lille, or Lyon. Marseille is in better form. They drew with Lyon on Feb. 28 and beat Stade Rennes on March 10. Nice would be a good play if they offered better odds. But the difference in odds doesn’t constitute a bet on the home dog.
Soccer Free Pick: Marseille
- Stade Rennes +135 / Metz +200
Rennes is getting the benefit of the doubt here. In addition to losing to Marseille on March 10, Lyon beat the road chalk 1-0 on March 3 and Nice beat Rennes on Feb. 26. Metz offers better than fair odds to beat a team that’s struggled in recent weeks.
Soccer Free Pick: Metz
Sunday, March 21st Games
- Nimes +1 ½ (-138) / Lille -1 ½ (+100)
Is Lille good enough to beat Nimes by more than a goal and a half? Maybe not. Lille beat Nimes 1-0 on Jan. 9. The odds force us to back the home squad, though. Nimes isn’t a horrible soccer team but risking -138 is asking too much.
Soccer Free Pick: Lille
- Lens +168 / Strasbourg Alsace +142
Strasbourg won the last head-to-head. That’s the lone stat we should go off of when Lens and Alsace butt heads on Sunday. The two squads are in similar form and there’s not much of an odds difference. Although Lens offers better odds, Strasbourg is at home. On their pitch, they should prevail.
Soccer Free Pick: Strasbourg
- Angers +181 / Stade Brestois +148
In a couple of 2020 matches, Angers beat Brestois in both. The road team in this beat the home squad 1-0 in Feb 2020 and 3-2 last September. Brestois could turn the tables on Angers. But Angers is the underdog. This is a good match in which to back the dog.
Soccer Free Pick: Angers
- Lorient +216 / Nantes +120
Nantes versus Lorient is another match with teams in similar form. Nantes did beat Lorient 2-0 in the last head-to-head. That match happened on Nov. 8. Good enough for us.
Soccer Free Pick: Nantes
- Bordeaux +206 / Montpellier +127
Montpellier dominated Bordeaux 2-0 last November. On Sunday, they get their rivals on their pitch. Also, Bordeaux is in worse form. The home team looks solid.
Soccer Free Pick: Montpellier
- Stade Reims +121 / Dijon +199
Reims is in better form. So even though these two drew on Jan. 6, and Dijon battles Reims at home, we can’t back the squad offering the better odds. Form trumps everything else.
Soccer Free Pick: Stade Reims
- Monaco -129 / Saint-Etienne +291
There’s a rumor this match could happen on Friday, March 19. Double-check to make sure. In any case, whether they play on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, Saint-Etienne must pick it up big time to beat Monaco. But these two drew in the last head-to-head. The odds make Etienne an intriguing play.
Soccer Free Pick: Saint-Etienne
- Paris Saint-Germain +110 / Lyonnaise +179
Lyon may have PSG’s number. They drew with Saint-Germain last July. In the match on Sep. 13, Lyon beat PSG 1-0. Ah, but Paris is playing about as well as it has all season long. Ending Barca’s UCL dreams should have boosted their confidence. The road chalk looks tough.
Soccer Free Pick: Paris Saint-Germain
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