Auxerre v Lyon
Ligue 1 - Saturday 17 May 2008
Lyon will be feeling the pressure as they are just 2 points ahead of Bordeaux going into the final game of the season, but are still in the driving seat in their bid to win their 7th Championnat in a row, with a best price of $1.09 for them to win the league.
Auxerre in 15th place, despite some poor form of late, are safe; they have only won one out of their last 6 games and have lost 2 out of the last 3, but did win their last home game against Valenciennes (2-0).
Lyon may well have gotten over their mini-stumble, winning 1-0 at home to 3rd place Nancy 1-0 last week after drawing two games in a row at home to Caen (2-2) and away to Nice (0-0) and the prospect of facing an Auxerre side with little to play for can only give them more confidence to get the result that they need.
A draw should be sufficient, but the win would put the title beyond doubt; Lyon will certainly go for the win and their record away to sides in the lower half of the table (6-0-3) is solid enough. Though they have lost 3 times away, since the end of January they have a 100% record against the lower sides, away from home.
Out of those six away wins against the poorer sides, Lyon have won by the one goal 4 times; with Lyon likely to be nervous of another slip-up they will be happy to take the lead and sit back. Also, 3 of Auxerre’s 4 home losses since November have been by the one goal.
The best price of $1.57 for the Lyon win is too short, so the handicap draw at $3.50 from Sporting Bet should hold more value, with Lyon retaining their title once again in the process.
Stake: 3.5pts
Bet: Handicap Draw (Auxerre +1 goal)
Odds: $3.50
Bookmaker: Sportingbet
