This Saturday’s European football action promises excitement and money-making opportunities across the top leagues. In Ligue 1, high-flying Lens take on Nice in a battle for European places, while the Bundesliga sees Champions League hopefuls Stuttgart travel to Hoffenheim. We analyse both fixtures and provide our best betting tips to help you make informed choices.
Lens vs Nice
The Stade Bollaert-Delelis plays host to a crucial Ligue 1 clash between fifth-placed Lens and sixth-placed Nice on Saturday. Both teams are vying for a Champions League spot, but Lens come into the match in much better form, having won five of their last seven Ligue 1 outings.
Lens underlined their Champions League aspirations with an impressive win over second-placed Brest last weekend. Interestingly, that win pushed them ahead of Nice on the log and kept their top-four aspirations alive. Their defence also deserves special mention, with four clean sheets in their last seven games, underscoring the significant challenge awaiting Nice on Saturday.
And the challenge of breaching a resolute Lens defence might prove unsurmountable for Nice, who come into this clash on a terrible run that has seen them take a measly point from their last five games.
They may be just two points below Lens, but Nice’s dreadful away record further highlights the scale of their challenge. Their last seven trips have yielded just two draws and five defeats, with a paltry two goals scored. In fact, their season-long struggles in front of goal are evident, with just 24 goals scored in 25 Ligue 1 matches. Their midweek 3-1 Coupe de France quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain further adds to the narrative of a team searching for its lost rhythm.
Betting Tip: Lens to Win
16/03 21:00 Lens – Nice Lens to win @ 2.16 (Bet9ja)
There’s a clear gulf in form between these two sides. Lens are on an upward surge, boasting a strong defence and scoring goals at will. Nice, on the other hand, are lacking in both areas and their away form is abysmal.
Having seen off a more formidable opponent in Brest last weekend, Lens should have too much for a floundering Nice side. Additionally, the opportunity to climb closer to the top four should provide Lens with significant motivation to secure all three points.
Back Lens to win at excellent odds of 2.16 on Bet9ja
Lens vs Nice - Lens to win @ 2.16
Hoffenheim vs Stuttgart
Shifting focus to the German Bundesliga, an enthralling Baden-Swabian Derby awaits between an erratic Hoffenheim side and surprise Champions League challengers Stuttgart.
Hoffenheim’s European ambitions took a hit last weekend after a 3-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt. This setback was compounded by the red cards shown to key defenders Ozan Kabak and John Brooks, who are now suspended for the clash against Stuttgart.
Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo will have to reshuffle his backline in their absence, which could expose them defensively.
A weakened defence for the hosts will be great news for Stuttgart who come into this encounter surprisingly well-positioned for a Champions League spot, having been on a tear since the start of the year.
Sebastian Hoeness’s team has achieved an outstanding record of 17 wins out of 25 matches played, bolstering their Champions League hopes. To provide context, this sequence of victories has placed them only one win behind champions, Bayern Munich. Notably, six of those 17 wins have been secured since the beginning of this year.
Stuttgart’s probable starting line-up is expected to receive a boost with the return of Deniz Undav, which could help them secure the much-needed goals, particularly with Hoffenheim’s defence missing two key starters. Undav, on loan from Brighton, has been in stunning form, scoring five goals in his last four Bundesliga starts.
His impressive form has earned him a call-up to the Germany squad for the March internationals, and he might just mark that achievement with a goal on Saturday. Undav is priced attractively at 2.10 odds on Bet9ja to score anytime against Hoffenheim.
Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals
16/03 Hoffenheim – Stuttgart Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.40 odds (Bet9ja)
With a high-flying Stuttgart attack facing a Hoffenheim side missing crucial defenders, an entertaining encounter with plenty of goals is anticipated. Here’s why the Over 2.5 Goals bet holds value:
- Stuttgart’s Form: Stuttgart have been in excellent scoring form, boasting 17 wins in 25 matches.
- Undav’s Return: The expected return of in-form striker Deniz Undav strengthens Stuttgart’s attacking options.
- Hoffenheim Missing Key Defenders: Hoffenheim’s defensive frailties could be exposed with key players suspended.
Given these factors, we recommend betting on Over 2.5 Goals at 1.40 odds on Bet9ja.
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