Montpellier vs Brest prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-02-11 14:00.
Considering Montpellier demolished Brest 7-0 earlier in the campaign, you would be forgiven for expecting these sides to be competing at opposite ends of the table. However, fast forward a little over five months, and Montpellierâs biggest-ever Ligue 1 victory is a distant memory as they come into the round just two points clear of the relegation zone.
With Brest sitting level with their hosts on 20 points and therefore also in that cluster of teams battling to beat the drop, this certainly has the feel of a relegation âsix pointerâ, but having lost all three of their home league games so far in 2023, it remains to be seen if Montpellier can rise to the occasion. Interestingly, none of those games saw scoring earlier than the 45th minute, which would suggest Montpellier have a recent tendency to become lax as games wear on.
Brest come into this crunch clash in better form than their hosts (W1, D4), but translating some of those draws into victories is now the primary aim for Eric Royâs side. While two of those stalemates ended goalless, the other two came after Brest scored first, which highlights the fragilities of a side who have won just four of the ten Ligue 1 games in which they have struck first this season (D4, L2).
That places added emphasis on Brest keeping clean sheets, and having managed that feat in three of their five league games with Roy at the helm, improved defensive displays could save them from relegation. Next on the agenda for Roy is improving upon a wretched travelling record against Montpellier, with Brest winning just two of 15 historical away H2Hs (D5, L8) which doesnât make for pleasant reading as they seek to steer further clear of the drop zone.
Players to watch: Four of Elye Wahiâs six scoring appearances for Montpellier this season saw him net the gameâs second goal, while Brest forward JĂ©rĂ©my Le Douaron has opened the scoring in three of his four scoring appearances this term.
Hot stat: No Ligue 1 side has scored more than Montpellierâs nine goals in the opening 15 minutes this season.