Weekend Betting Tips

Laval v Brest

Laval are ending the season strongly, with a victory against league leaders, Caen, 10 days ago, and following that up with a 3-2 victory at Vannes last weekend. They are missing a couple of players, but have Gabon striker Do Marcolino back from injury.

Brest are already promoted and have a chance to win the title here if they win, and Caen slip up. However, they have been poor recently, going down 4-1 at home against Dijon last weekend, and seem content to play out the season and plan for top division football next season. They are without 4 first team regulars, and have struggled away from home recently.

Brest will be happy regardless of the outcome tonight, having secured promotion. Laval are finishing well and will be confident of finishing on a high in front of their own fans.

Bet: Laval 0AH @ 1.75

Metz v Vannes

After 9 games without a win, Metz have given themselves a chance to salvage their season with victories over Angers and Caen in recent weeks. They are 1 point behind Arles and promotion going into this final match of the season, and need to win this to give themselves any realistic hope. They have plenty of experienced players and few injury concerns ahead of the game.

Vannes still need a point to make their survival absolutely certain, although will stay up should other results go their way. 3 wins in 4 games looked to have pulled them clear, but a poor defensive performance against Laval last weekend saw them slip back into danger.

Metz will have a strong home crowd roaring them on as they look to get an early lead to put the pressure on Arles. They need to win to give themselves a chance, and should achieve this.

Bet: Metz -1AH @ 1.9

Sampdoria v Napoli

Sampdoria did well last weekend, gaining a crucial point against their Champions League challengers, Palermo. They played a solid defensive game, knowing that Palermo had to win. However, this week, they need to win. Palermo play already relegated Atalanta, which they will be confident of taking 3 points from. This means that Sampdoria must beat 6th placed Napoli.

Napoli have already secured a Europa League place for next year, and technically have nothing to play for. However, they have several players looking to put in a good performance and secure a WC place. They have a number of classy players, although the suspension of Lavezzi is a blow for them.

The pressure is on Sampdoria, and I have a feeling they may slip up here, especially if news filters through of Palermo taking the lead at Atalanta.

Bet: Napoli +0.5AH @ 3.0

Osasuna v Xerez

Osasuna lie safely in mid-table going into the final game of the season, and are only playing for pride now. Only 1 win in 6 games is not a great record, although only 1 defeat in the past 10 home games suggests they are relatively strong in front of their own fans.

Earlier in the year, Xerez were over 10 points adrift at the bottom, but they go into the final day with a chance of survival. They have 33 points, while the four teams above them all have 36 points. However, Xerez have a positive head-to-head record against them, and the teams above them have difficult final day games – Tenerife go to Valencia, Valladolid go to Barcelona, and Malaga play Real Madrid. Thus, they have a realistic chance of surviving if they win here. They have lost 3 of their last 7 away games, but these were against Villarreal, Barcelona and Valencia. They beat Malaga and Atletico Madrid, and will fancy their chances here.

Xerez looked doomed only a few months ago, but now have a realistic chance of survival. Whether they can win is a different matter, but they have the motivation.

Bet: Xerez DNB @ 2.14

Chelsea v Portsmouth

Ancelotti is looking to surpass the achievements of Mourinho and becoming the first Chelsea manager to lead the club to a league and cup double. Their scoring record in 2010 has been simply incredible, having hit 7 goals three times, and 8 last weekend to seal the title.

Portsmouth have had a nightmare 12 months, but have the chance for one final big day out before they drop down to the Championship. They have a number of injury worries ahead of the game, with O’Hara, Dindane, Boateng and Wilson all facing late fitness checks. They will play a similar game to the semi-final, defending bravely and hoping to nick something on the break.

An early goal for Chelsea could open the floodgates here. They scored 5 at Fratton Park earlier in the season, and much as an upset appeals to the neutrals, Chelsea will be too professional to let that happen.

Bet: Chelsea -1.75AH @ 1.73
Bet: Chelsea -4.5 corners @ 1.875