FRANCE .............

FRANCE LIGUE 1

OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE - VALENCIENNES

Valenciennes have quickly become our second favourite club and I am not about to desert them just yet, especially getting such a huge handicap start, against ateam that are finding goals increasingly hard to come by. OM are without top scorer Kone again tonight and it is eight games since they scored more than a single goal, four times failing to register a goal and four times having to settle for a single strike. The visitors are unbeaten in nine, have been playing well for even longer than that and it is 17 starts since they were beaten by two or more goals, betting a team full of confidence with a record like that and getting a full goal start seems like a no brainer to me.

7 points Valenciennes +1 ball 1.97 asian line.

LORIENT - PSG

Both of these suffered cup losses in midweek, Lorient's was a humiliated defeat against a "local" rival , they are a club devoid of confidence and do not know where their next win is coming from. They are without a victory in three months and have just 5 points from a possible 24 in the league. PSG needed involvement in the Cup like another hole in their head and will be happy to be able to concentrate on the league and UEFA Cup.

The Paris giants are unbeaten in six league games, winning five and are Lyon's nearest challengers, just four points off the pace and the two have still to meet this season, so plenty to play for. They will sorely miss the suspended Makelele tonight but will be boosted by the return of Giuly and I fully expect them to win. Up next they face OM, who are their biggest rival in French football and PSG will want these points in the bag before that meeting.

6.5 points PSG -1/4 ball 2.04 asian line

Good Luck.