Lille vs Montpellier prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-03-07 18:00.
[p]Lille showed plenty of courage to draw 1-1 at Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, which was a strong response to last weekend’s 4-1 Ligue 1 hammering by PSG. While they remain on course for European qualification, their progress has slowed a little after losing three of their last six league fixtures (W3), ensuring the Mastiffs cannot allow the upcoming second leg against Dortmund to distract them from domestic affairs.[/p]
[p]Only PSG in September and Le Havre last month have beaten Lille in home league action this term (W7, D3), so there is plenty to be positive about as Montpellier are next to visit Stade Pierre-Mauroy. With five home league fixtures remaining this term, manager Bruno Génésio will be keen for more defensive solidity as Lille have both scored and conceded in each of their last six Ligue 1 games here (W4, D1, L1).[/p]
[p]While that might be a minor issue for Lille to address, it’s becoming an increasingly desperate problem for bottom side Montpellier, who have lost each of their last five league games while conceding at least twice. Now seven points adrift of safety, they’re quickly running out of time to save themselves from the drop.[/p]
[p]Adding to those defensive woes, Montpellier are one of only three teams yet to keep a clean sheet in a Ligue 1 away game all season (W1, L10), and have lost six of their last seven such games without scoring (W1). Optimism as they head north will therefore be in short supply, especially as La Paillade have not won an away H2H since August 2011 (D4, L8), including losing their last three trips here, albeit all by a one-goal margin.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Lille striker Jonathan David scored a penalty in each half when these two sides drew 2-2 in December, and he has now scored nine of his ten spot-kicks in all competitions this term. Defender Modibo Sagnan is one of just four players to have scored in a Ligue 1 away game for Montpellier this season, but he might be more likely to collect a card given he’s been booked in two of his last three appearances.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: There were under five yellow cards shown in five of Lille’s last six home league games.[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]