Le Havre vs Montpellier prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-03-30 13:00.
[p]The international break came at a good time for Le Havre, who have been guilty of undoing a lot of the hard work they did earlier in the season. Just one win from their last eight Ligue 1 matches (D2, L5) has dragged them into the relegation dogfight and they now start this round 13th, just four points clear of the bottom-two. Adding to the pressure is this fixture against a Montpellier team just one point and place below the hosts in the table. [/p]
[p]A big win against a relegation rival could really change the outlook for the league newbies, and indeed a 100% home-winning record against Ligue 1 sides starting this round tenth or below (W4) should inspire plenty of belief. Enhancing that is a solid record of just one H2H loss from the last six meetings between the sides (W2, D3). [/p]
[p]Montpellier will travel hoping a heavy 6-2 defeat to league leaders PSG two weeks ago won’t have derailed their growing momentum from a run of just one loss in four league outings prior to that (W2, D1). Yet, it’s hard to ignore that they have amassed just 26 points from their 26 league games so far, their lowest top-tier tally since 2003/04 when they last finished in the relegation spots. [/p]
[p]Understandably, Montpellier will be keen to add to that tally this weekend, and might even see a draw as a positive result, especially given their poor form on the road this season, with only three sides collecting fewer than their 13 away points coming into the round. These two couldn’t be separated in the reverse (2-2), but no side has drawn fewer games on their travels this season (1/12), suggesting the game looks likely to be settled one way or another. [/p]
[p]Key battle: Only one Ligue 1 player has made more defensive clearances than Le Havre’s Gautier Lloris this season, but he made an impact at the other end in the last H2H, scoring the opening goal. Four of Akor Adams’ last five competitive goalscoring appearances for Montpellier saw him net a brace, including against Le Havre in August. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: No Ligue 1 side has scored fewer opening goals than Le Havre this season (seven). [/p]