Ligue 1 Tips: Back goals in Lyon as Lacazette returns

James Eastham
15 September 2023
3:00 min read

Welcoming back star man Lacazette hands Lyon a major boost

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Two games are worthy of attention in the French top flight this Sunday, writes James Eastham...

New-look Nantes should avoid defeat
Lyon vs Le Havre to serve up goals
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Clermont vs Nantes - Sun, 14:00

The odds on Clermont collecting all three points this weekend look too short. The hosts are 2.0621/20, which is a price difficult to justify based on how these two sides have played so far this season.

Clermont have collected just one point from their opening four matches, and were a touch lucky to do so, coming from behind to draw 2-2 (a) vs Toulouse last time out. The three straight defeats they had suffered before that revealed shortcomings all over the pitch, and that's a concern heading into this match.

Nantes have only two points, but they'll be happier with how they've played: they earned a 3-3 (h) draw vs table-topping Monaco on August 25, and then drew 1-1 (h) vs Marseille in their final outing before the international break, despite playing with 10 men for more than 80 minutes.

Nantes will have benefitted more than virtually any other Ligue 1 side from the international break, too. Six players - defenders Jean-Kevin Duverne and Eray Comert, midfielder Douglas Augusto, and attackers Adson, Marquinhos and Matthis Abline - joined the club after the season kicked-off. An extended period on the training pitch will have given manager Pierre Aristouy the perfect opportunity to bed them in.

Do Clermont really stand close to a 50 per cent chance of winning this game, which is what the prices suggest? We don't think so. Our recommendation is to lay the hosts. By laying Clermont, you'll make a profit if Nantes win or the game ends in a draw.

Lay Clermont at home to Nantes @ 2.0621/20

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Lyon vs Le Havre - Sun, 19:45

Lyon sacked Laurent Blanc this week and new boss Fabio Grosso takes charge from Monday morning. In the mean time caretaker staff will guide the team through what's likely to be an open and entertaining encounter vs Le Havre on Sunday night.

Lyon have the joint-worst defensive record in the division (10 conceded in four games). They've been so poor defensively it would be a surprise to see them keep a clean sheet here.

Visitors Le Havre will be quietly confident they can get on the scoresheet at least once: they've scored eight times in their opening four matches of the season. They've extra firepower here, too: Mohamed Bayo has joined on loan from Lille for the rest of the campaign.

Lyon welcome back star man Alexandre Lacazette after a two-match suspension. The hosts will be much more dangerous in the final third with the former Arsenal man back on the pitch. With new boss Grosso watching from the stands, Lyon's players will be pumped-up. Expect a positive attacking display from them.

Given the strengths and weaknesses of the two sides, it's surprising to find you can make a profit at close to evens if the game has three or more goals. This outcome has occurred in seven of the eight games involving these two sides this season. With our selection, half your stakes will win and the other half will be returned if the game has exactly three goals; and your entire stakes will win if the game has four or more goals.

Lyon vs Le Havre Over 2.5 & 3.0 Goals @ 1.981/1

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