Marseille lead Ligue 1 courtesy of having scored more than Lyon (both are on 7 points and have a +5 goal difference). That's been courtesy of a 4-4 draw at Rennes, plus a 4-0 win over Auxerre in their last home match.

In midweek, they needed a late goal to see off Brann in the UEFA Cup to win 2-1, but they did win the first leg away 1-0.

Important to Eric Gerets' team's chances is the fact that the players are sharing the goals and they are not relying on one striker only. Three players have scored two apiece in Ligue 1 already and no player has yet to hit a brace in a single game.

That's the polar opposite to Francis Gillot's experience at Sochaux, with Erdinc looking like the only player capable of regularly getting on the scoresheet once again; they ended up 14th last season as a result of this reliance and they haven't solved this problem in the summer.

Their first two league games they lost (both 1-2) and in their last game they were improved but a lack of finishing saw them only draw 1-1 with PSG in a game which they could have taken all three points.

Sochaux have a decent away record against Marseille - they have lost just the once in four on the south coast against Marseille - and last season only Bordeaux and Lyon boasted a better away record in the league.

However, Sochaux look short of class and if Marseille are capable of taking care of Auxerre 4-0, then Sochaux should be worried.

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers

They should have chances; Marseille's defence is not magnificent; as a result, whilst the home win is available around $1.50, consider instead the Over 2.5 goals.

Most bookies quote around the $1.95 mark and even that is fairly high. Sochaux can be tight and have proved so in recent years against Marseille, but this season they look weakened.

Throw in that Marseille expect to be top scorers in the league, this game could certainly see 3 of 4 goals in it. Given the $1.95 fpr Over 2.5 goals on offer at most bookies, Ladbrokes at $2.06 is worth looking at.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Over 2.5 goals Odds: $2.06 Stake: 6pts Bookies: Ladbrokes

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers