PSG won a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title with six games to spare on Saturday as they beat Angers 1-0 at the Parc des Princes. With the undisputed kings of France still unbeaten in the division, their triumph has felt like a formality for some time.

As is now practically tradition for Ligue 1 at this time of year, the race to become France’s ‘best of the rest’ is now the focal point. At this time, one team is set to see its odds of gaining that status shorten drastically, and we are of course talking about Strasbourg.

Here is a deeper dive into Strasbourg’s remarkable story, and why they are a decent pick at a mouth-watering 25/1 (via Oddschecker) with some bookmakers to win Ligue 1 W/o PSG.

Strasbourg racing to the podium

Just five points separate second from seventh heading into this weekend’s fixtures. Strasbourg are currently fourth in Ligue 1, and with them currently being just three points behind the current second-place occupants Marseille, the 25/1 price seems like an absolute bargain.

Although nobody can count out Lyon, Nice or Lille, who are just behind Strasbourg, it should be noted that Liam Rosenior’s side are in the best form of the chasing pack. They have won their last five league games, with that tally matched only by PSG, additionally scoring nine goals in total over those matches, and conceding just three times.

Talking tactics

Rosenior tends to start with three centre-backs as opposed to the usual two, which makes his team harder to break down when in shape.

Admittedly, Strasbourg are not the best of goal-getters, and their total of 46 goals scored is the lowest in the top six. However, their success is undeniably built on a strong defensive foundation that has leaked just 35 goals – the joint-third best record in the division.

However, the quality to win games is evident and widely personified, most notably in the form of star striker Emanuel Emegha, who boasts 12 league goals so far this season and has reportedly attracted interest from a number of big-name suitors – including Strasbourg’s sister club Chelsea.

Le Racing due a chequered flag?

Strasbourg have only made one previous appearance in Europe’s elite competition. That was all the way back in the 1979/80 European Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Ajax.

There should be no lack of motivation to correct that then, especially as the financial benefit of UEFA Champions League qualification would also be enormous for a club of its relatively small size compared to the other clubs they are competing against.

How the W/o PSG market is expected to shift overall

Now is certainly the time to back Strasbourg ahead of such a pivotal weekend. With second and third-placed Marseille and Monaco facing each other, at least one will drop points. This should shift both their odds of 4/5 and 7/4 (via Oddschecker) respectively regardless of the result.

Likewise, Strasbourg vs Nice (the latter 50/1 in the W/o PSG market) is a top-six clash, and a win for either side would shorten their odds quite significantly.

Given their superior form and league position and added home advantage, Strasbourg are favourites to win, and so they could make a mockery of their current ‘W/o PSG’ odds if other results go their way.

Lyon (12/1) and Lille (22/1) also have potentially tricky away fixtures against Auxerre and Toulouse respectively, so dropped points would make Strasbourg’s odds appeal even further.

As mentioned, Strasbourg also boast the best form of the six chasing teams over the last five games with a perfect return. Meanwhile Nice have the worst such record amongst the six realistic contenders for the silver medal (W1, D1, L3).

So with that in mind, here’s our tip in a game that could have huge ramifications on the W/o PSG market.

Strasbourg v Nice bet builder review

Strasbourg to win, BTTS: No and Emanuel Emegha to score anytime (11/1 @ Bet365)

Given what we have previously mentioned about Strasbourg’s water-tight defence and the goal-scoring prowess of Emegha, we feel this three-part bet builder could come through should the hosts claim a sixth straight victory.

Strasbourg actually lost to Nice in the reverse fixture earlier this season, albeit by a narrow 2-1 scoreline. They scored the opening goal in that game too, and had a HT lead. It should also be noted that the result was in the middle of Strasbourg’s worst run of form in the season so far – the third of four straight defeats in November.

Some bookmakers are offering a best price of 8/5 (via Oddschecker) for Strasbourg to win, while a draw can be backed at 27/11 and a Nice victory at 9/5. This makes Le Racing favourites to take home all three points but also provides decent value for the ‘win’ part of the bet builder.

Safe option

Strasbourg to win, BTTS: Yes and Emanuel Emegha to score anytime (15/2 @ Bet365)

Alternatively, Nice could also be backed to score given the importance of the match and the fact they have done in their last three games. They have also failed to fire a blank in five away matches, and it can also be noted that Strasbourg have failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous two home affairs.

Bold option

Strasbourg to win, BTTS: No and Andrey Santos to score anytime (22/1 @ Bet365)

You can get double the odds of our original bet builder just by changing the anytime goalscorer from Emegha to Andrey Santos. This would mean backing a defensive midfielder by trade, but he is Strasbourg’s second-top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with nine goals, including two in their last three games.

Conclusion

With a price as high as 25/1 to win Ligue 1 W/o PSG, Strasbourg simply cannot be ignored. The odds will likely shorten massively should they beat Nice as expected, so now is most definitely the time to cash in!

A side note

Unsurprisingly, Rosenior himself is also attracting interest, so the ‘next manager odds’ markets may soon be featuring him.

He’s most recently been linked to Southampton, after their confirmed relegation and the departure of Ivan Juric. He has been priced as low as 8/1 (via Oddschecker) by some bookmakers to take the job back in his native England, where he had previous managerial experience with Hull before moving to France.