French domestic football remains on the up and I think Bordeaux continue to be underestimated in the Champions League.
Laurent Blanc’s side take on Greek club Olympiacos on Wednesday in the second leg of their last 16 clash and I rate them more like 1.40 shots than the 1.60 on offer to progress to the quarterfinals with a victory.
A first half injury time strike in Greece by Michael Ciani means Blanc’s men hold a slender advantage but Bordeuax don’t look set up to me to try to defend the lead they gained a fortnight ago and I see them triumphing in style.
Olympiacos limped through the group stages behind Arsenal but they failed to score a single goal away from home in three matches, picking up just one point in the process, and manager Božidar Bandović has a tough job on his hands to rally his troops.
Just one victory in their previous four Greek Super League matches hints that Olympiacos travel west with something to prove at present and teams from that part of the world are notoriously poor on the road in European competition.
In contrast, Bordeuax continue to lead the way ahead of the likes of Marseille and Lyon in a really exciting title race and having conceded just eight goals in 14 matches on home soil so far this season one is likely to be enough for the bet to land.
Blanc’s side emerged with credit on top, and undefeated, from a group that contained both Bayern Munich and Juventus and their recent Champions League experience is taken to prove the difference.
Striker Marouane Chamakh is Bordeaux’s leading scorer so far this season with just nine to his name but I like the fact they share the goals around and one player to keep an eye on is playmaker Yoann Gourcuff.
With Olympiacos still chasing the coveted title back home I think their eye could be off the ball despite the enormity of the task in hand and a heavy defeat at the Stade Chaban Delmas wouldn’t be the biggest surprise.
Bordeaux will remain Champions League outsiders if they progress, but they shouldn’t be taken lightly and are tipped to prove their class on Wednesday by improving on their excellent home record.
2pts Back Bordeaux (vs. Olympiacos) @ 1.60 (Betfair)