Best Bets to Finish Top 3 in Ligue 1

• After first place PSG, the rest of the top three in Ligue 1 is still up for grabs
• Can Lille hold onto second?
• Which teams offer the best value to finish in the top three?

With still half the Ligue 1 season to go, Paris Saint-Germain have basically already staked their claim to the title. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still get some action down on France’s top league.

G have a 13 point lead over the next closest team in Ligue 1, which is surprise package Lille from the north of France. Lille barely avoided relegation last season by finishing just one spot above the relegation playoffs in 17th.

Odds to Win Ligue 1 (Without PSG)

Les Dogues are finally starting to see respect from bookmakers at +350 to gain automatic Champions League qualification in second. However, I found Lille for as high as +1100 before this weekend’s win over Caen sent them to 37 points.

Lyon sit right behind Lille at 33 points with one less game played. While Marseille, third in the odds, are down in ninth at 28 points.

.@LOSC_EN are flying after yesterday's win over @SMCaen
Can they keep the dream alive as they chase @ChampionsLeague qualification? pic.twitter.com/lvIT17WAdN

— Ligue1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 12, 2019

Now in his second season with Lille, manager Christophe Galtier has revived the club from their worst finish since the 1996-97 season. They are already just one point behind last season’s year-end total and have allowed the fifth fewest goals in the league.

They are among the leaders in goals scored as well, with striker Nicolas Pépé leading the line with 13 goals and Jonathan Bamba adding eight of his own.

Lille have rejected Arsenal’s advances for winger Nicolas Pépé.

Emery will now push for Denis Suárez and Yannick Carrasco. The latter is also wanted by Milan. [@NicoSchira] #AFC pic.twitter.com/J3GpKQXk7U

— Cannon Insider (@CannonInsider) January 9, 2019

Lille have been dealt a blow on the defensive side of the ball though with Monaco agreeing to terms to sign defender Fode Ballo-Toure away from the second-place side.

Les Gones boast a balanced attack with nine players having scored at least once, and five who have scored at least four.

Lyon are favored to finish second and have had a succesful campaign thus far. Les Gones boast a balanced attack with nine players having scored at least once, and five who have scored at least four. In Ligue 1 they’ve only failed to take points in one match since the beginning of October.

Houssem Aouar (20) in all competitions for Olympique Lyonnais:

• 75 games
• 14 goals
• 9 assists

A technically brilliant central midfielder, who is already adding goals – and plenty of them – to his game at the age of 20. pic.twitter.com/DuglHsNjki

— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) January 10, 2019

They’ve also advanced to the Champions League Round of 16 by going undefeated in Group Stage play, which included a win and a draw against Manchester City.

Top 3 Their for the Taking

Unlike some leagues, Ligue 1 is only given two guaranteed spots to the Champions League. However, a top three finish is still enough to gain a place in the Champions League Qualifiers for next season.

With Monaco having completely fallen off a cliff this season and now battling relegation, the top three race is now more wide-open than ever.

Odds to Finish Top 3 in Ligue 1

After a fourth place finish a year ago, expectations were high for Olympique de Marseille. Les Olympiens finished with 77 points, only one back of third place Lyon and two back of second place Monaco.

Though Marseille are still within striking distance of a top three finish, you simply can’t trust their form this year. Across all competitions they’ve only won twice in their past 14 matches and none of their past eight.

Marseille have two games in hand over most of the league which is a positive. But the negative is they’ve already allowed more goals than any other side among the top 11 teams in Ligue 1.

#WahbiKhazri has been crucial in Saint Etienne’s battle with Lyon for #ChampionsLeague qualification in #Ligue1. With a goal in their 1-0 win against Guingamp, Khazri now has 10 goals on the season and 5 in his last 6 matches for #Etienne, who are now tied in 3rd place with Lyon. pic.twitter.com/jXBSSC2ocO

— FirstTouch (@FirstTouch_AF) January 13, 2019

St. Etienne is offering some value at +600. They’re currently tied in third with Lyon on 33 points and have yet to lose at home this season. PSG are the only other team to hold that distinction. Their overall form of late sees them as the league’s third-best team over the past five and ten games.

Fifth place Montpellier is also in the running having allowed the second-fewest goals at only 16. They are also one of the best traveling teams with only two losses in their nine road matches.

Best Ligue 1 Bets

Lyon to finish second at -125 would likely be the safest bet. However I much prefer to bet the longer odds on Lille to “Win Without PSG” at +350 and also to finish Top 3 at +150.

? BEWARE: ⚠️ A couple of deadly sharks have been sighted approaching @ChampionsLeague waters. Exercise extreme caution. pic.twitter.com/vWH3qwFX1h

— LOSC Lille EN (@LOSC_EN) January 13, 2019

They’ve done little wrong this season, have two in-form strikers, and I believe they can maintain at least a Top 3 finish.

If you’re feeling little less bullish on Lille and want some additional value I’ll tip St. Etienne at +600 as a longer shot to come Top 3.