Champions League Betting: Time for french trio to show some Resistance

Champions League / James Eastham / 30 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

French clubs may have started poorly in the Champions League - but it's too early to write them off, says James Eastham.

The 'bilan', as the French call it, for Ligue 1's representatives following their first foray into Champions League football was far from encouraging: a 2-2 home draw for Lyon against Fiorentina, a 2-1 home defeat for Marseille at the hands of Liverpool and Bordeaux on the wrong end of a 4-0 hammering at Chelsea.

None of France's three clubs ever looked like winning - which is why you'd be brave to back them this week. Lyon are [4.6] for their trip to Bayern Munich ([2.0]), Bordeaux [3.05] to beat Roma ([2.74]) and Marseille as big as [6.6] to upset hosts Atletico Madrid ([1.67]).

I feel there has been an overreaction to the adverse starts for French outfits, though. Two of the prices look slightly inaccurate - and pick of the trio during this second round of fixtures appears to be Lyon, who ought to be shorter than [4.6] to beat Bayern.

Les Lyonnais mounted a spirited second-half fightback to claim a deserved point against la Viola a fortnight ago, and consecutive victories since then in Ligue 1 have improved their 2008-09 record to an excellent six wins and three draws (in 90 minutes) in all competitions. Claude Puel's side have opened up a five-point gap at the top of Ligue 1, which means they can focus all efforts on progressing in Europe over the next month. And they have experience of recovering from a disappointing start - last season their campaign in the group stages began with consecutive 3-0 defeats to Barcelona (away) and Rangers (home) but Alain Perrin's team, as they were then, produced three wins and a draw from their final four games to reach the last 16. Memories of their redemption will have stayed with Anthony Reveillere, Juninho, Jeremy Toulalan and other survivors.

Bayern Munich have lost their last two Bundesliga matches, conceding six goals in the process. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann is already under pressure as the players have yet to adapt to his methods and tactics. There will be tension in the Bayern camp when they run out at the Allianz Arena. The players would be happy to pick up a point to stave off talk of crisis.

Lyon's record in Germany is outstanding: they have won on their last four visits, including 2-1 against Bayern at the Olimpiastadion in November 2003. And in Karim Benzema, Lyon have the most prolific striker in Europe - this thrillingly accomplished 20-year-old has scored seven goals in nine games at a rate of one every 92 minutes. The France international's form is the final reason why Bayern are an excellent lay at around evens.

Bordeaux will garner little support following their outclassing at Stamford Bridge, but they still look too big at [3.05] to beat Roma. Many bookies and exchange users appear unaware of les Girondins' imperious home form - it is 358 days and 25 matches (17 wins and eight 90-minute draws) since their last defeat at Stade Chaban-Delmas. Bordeaux's inconsistency this season - three wins, three draws and three defeats over 90 minutes - just about puts me off backing them with a 0-goal on the Asian handicap at [2.09], but I don't see why Roma - with two defeats in two away games this season - are clear favourites.

Finally, on to Marseille, who are unbackable after a run of five games without a win. Atletico Madrid may well win, although as a team with little Champions League experience, [1.67] does not appeal to me. Instead, I'll be seeing if Marseille striker Mamadou Niang - without a goal in 433 minutes - can pull himself out of his lean spell. The lone striker is absolutely vital to the way l'OM play, so with him out-of-sorts it's no wonder Marseille are finding goals hard to come by. While he's in the doldrums, they'll struggle. Let's see if their situation improves here.

Recommended bets:

Lay Bayern Munich [2.02]