Brest vs Montpellier prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-01-13 14:00.
After the winter break, Brest will hope that they can pick up where they left off in Ligue 1 following an impressive set of results which left them fourth at the season’s halfway mark (W9, D4, L4), just two points off the UEFA Champions League qualification spots. In addition, no French top-flight team has accumulated more points (16) in the last six games than Eric Roy’s men.
The stoppage undoubtedly came at a poor time then, but Brest will hope they can carry that momentum into completing a first-ever league double over upcoming opponents Montpellier, having won 3-1 in November’s reverse fixture. If there is room for improvement for the Pirates, they’ll be looking to get off to quicker starts given they are the only Ligue 1 side yet to score in the opening 15 minutes of a fixture this term.
Montpellier are on a good run of their own, having gone three games unbeaten before Christmas (W1, D2) and started 2024 positively with a Coupe de France win over second-tier opposition. Michel Der Zakarian’s side are also just one of three in Ligue 1 who have a better record away than at home, which should give them plenty of belief as they travel to the Stade Francis-Le Blé.
That confidence will be boosted further by the fact that La Paillade’s last away H2H in August 2022 ended in a whopping 7-0 triumph while Der Zakarian was still in charge at Brest! He’d crossed the divide by the time they won the reverse fixture 3-0 in February, and he’ll be looking to lean on the positive memories of this fixture to inspire his players, as they sit just four points clear of the drop zone pre-round.
Players to watch: Romain del Castillo is Brest’s joint-top league scorer this season (5), and has four goal involvements in his last five Ligue 1 encounters (G2, A2). Much of Montpellier’s attacking responsibility falls on the shoulders of captain Téji Savanier, but he has as many yellow cards as direct goal contributions (3) in his last six games.
Hot stat: There hasn’t been more than one first-half goal in a Montpellier match since mid-September.