Strasbourg vs Montpellier prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-02-04 14:00.
A 3-0 defeat against Rennes in midweek plunged Strasbourg deeper into the Ligue 1 relegation zone, with four points now separating them from safety ahead of the weekend. They’ve managed just one win in 11 league games (D4, L6), but with that one win coming under the recently appointed Mathieu Le Scornet (D1, L2), perhaps there is room for cautious optimism.
Translating that optimism into points would be helped by Strasbourg keeping a first clean sheet in league action since September’s goalless draw against Clermont. That stands as their only Ligue 1 shut-out this season and considering the home side have conceded an average of 2.3 goals per game across the last six Ligue 1 H2Hs against Montpellier, it’s perhaps hard to see that improving here.
While Montpellier’s position isn’t quite as precarious as Strasbourg’s, they too find themselves embroiled in a battle to beat the drop, though they come into this round of fixtures with their heads two points above water. A 3-1 defeat to PSG in midweek was certainly no disgrace and they will feel this is a more winnable game as they seek to pull further clear of the bottom four.
You never quite know what you’re going to get from Montpellier, highlighted by two away league wins since the restart either side of a hefty 6-1 defeat at Nice. If there’s one thing their away games can normally guarantee though, then it’s goals. Montpellier’s Ligue 1 away trips this season have featured a very healthy four goals per game while they haven’t been involved in a 0-0 on the road since February 2021, a run which stretches a whopping 35 games!
Players to watch: With the influential Kevin Gameiro out through suspension, Strasbourg may lean on Habib Diallo who, despite scoring eight goals this term, hasn't bagged earlier than the 28th minute. Stephy Mavididi hit a double in Montpellier’s last away league win, and he has scored the decisive goal in victory in six of his last eight scoring appearances.
Hot stat: No Ligue 1 side’s games have averaged more first-half goals this season than Strasbourg’s (1.81).