Ligue 1 Matchday 25 Odds & Picks: Can Monaco Climb Into Top Five?

• All 20 teams are in action for Matchday 25 in Ligue 1
• Monaco faces Montpellier, who are just two points ahead of them, while fourth-place Lille looks to gain ground on Marseille, who are in second spot
• Get the odds, picks, and betting preview below

Matchday 25 in the French top-flight begins on Friday, with Monaco taking on Montpellier, with the other nine matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Lyon, who lost to PSG last week, play Strasbourg, who are just three points ahead of them in sixth place. If they can secure a victory, Rudi Garcia’s side will be one step closer to surging into a Champions League spot. Meanwhile, Monaco can potentially move into the top five if they can beat Montpellier.

Ligue 1 Matchday 25 Odds

A odds taken Feb .13

In another intriguing fixture, second-place Marseille travels to Stade Pierre-Mauroy to clash with fourth place Lille, who are currently nine points behind Andre Villas-Boas’ squad.

👀 Here's the table after Matchday 24; with @RCSA
and @MontpellierHSC making moves towards Europe! How did your team do? 📈📉 pic.twitter.com/7SllEN1l6N

— Ligue1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 10, 2020

Pick 1: Monaco vs Montpellier

Monaco welcomes Montpellier to the Stade Louis on Friday, looking for a crucial three points that could potentially take them into the top five. However, they’ve won just two of their last three matches, losing the other three in the process. On a positive note though, both of those victories were in the last two weeks.

They’re 7-1-4 on home soil this season and have won seven of their last nine matches at home to date. Roberto Moreno’s side has also lost just two of their last 25 home fixtures against Montpellier, with their last defeat at Stade Louis against them dating back to 2008. Ligue 1 leading scorer Wissam Ben-Yedder will be looking to add to his 16 goals in this crucial fixture.

🗣 #Montpellier is a direct opponent in terms of a podium finish. If we win, we'll climb up the standings. (Friday's opponents) are a great team with very clear, well-executed tactics." – Coach Robert Moreno.#ASMMHSC pic.twitter.com/aTBN4Bg5R7

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) February 13, 2020

Montpellier have been impressive this term, currently just three points off a Champions League spot. They’ve lost just once in their last six matches, suffering a 5-0 defeat to PSG on the road back in early February. Andy Delort has been lethal in the final third for Montpellier, bagging nine goals and three assists in 23 appearances.

The last time these two sides met in October, Montpellier defeated Monaco 3-1. But taking into account that Monaco has been exhilarating at home, I believe they will secure the three points in this match, with Ben-Yedder netting yet another goal.

Pick: Monaco 1-0

Pick 2: Lille vs Marseille

Lille hosts a high-flying Marseille side on Sunday, who has been an exciting team to watch this season. History is definitely not on Lille’s side for this match, having won just twice in their last 12 matches against second-place Marseille. But Christophe Galtier’s side has won three straight heading into Matchday 25 and are 9-2-1 at home this season. Their only defeat at Stade Pierre Mauroy was against league-leaders PSG on January 26th.

Despite their French Cup loss to Lyon earlier this week, Marseille has been one of the best teams in France this year. They’re currently unbeaten in their last 13 Ligue 1 fixtures, drawing just three times. Dimitri Payet has definitely played his part for Andre Villas-Boas’ squad, scoring eight times and tallying three assists. Marseille is 12 points off first place PSG, but they have a nine-point cushion on third-place Rennes, so Champions League Football is definitely looking like a reality.

Lille has won just twice in their last 12 meetings with Marseille. Given Les Olympiens current run and their record against Lille in recent memory, they should come away with the three points this weekend.

Pick: Marseille 2-1

Pick 3: Lyon vs Strasbourg

Lyon will be looking to get back in the win column when they welcome Strasbourg to Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday. They’re currently sitting in ninth place with 33 points, but Strasbourg is just three points ahead of them in sixth.

With a win this weekend, they can get an inch closer to the top five. They’re fresh off a crucial Coupe de France victory over Marseille early in the week and will be looking to carry that momentum into this weekend in another important fixture. Rudi Garcia’s side has won their last eight home clashes against Strasbourg, conceding just one goal during that span.

🗣️ @RudiGarcia: "This victory is good for our confidence. We're getting pretty good in the cups. We beat a team who were undefeated in 2020. It will also be necessary to be present this weekend to regain points in @Ligue1_ENG."#OLOM

— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) February 12, 2020

Strasbourg is seeking their third-straight victory on Sunday, having beat Stade Reims and Toulouse in the last two matchdays. They’ve won six of their last eight Ligue 1 fixtures, which has definitely helped them surge up the table. After finishing last season in 11th spot, they will be looking to jump into the top five and make a run at a top-four finish.

With Lyon’s success against Strasbourg over the last few years, especially on home soil, it’s a safe bet that Moussa Dembele and co. will capture all three points as they continue to move up to Ligue 1 table.

Pick: 2-1