Montpellier vs Marseille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-10-19 18:45.
[p]It’s fair to say Montpellier have not got going this season, highlighted by the fact they have comfortably the worst defence in Ligue 1, already conceding 21 goals in just seven games, five of which have ended in defeat (W1, D1). It is no surprise then that they currently sit in the relegation zone and are already embroiled in a battle to maintain the top-flight status they have held since 2009.[/p]
[p]Manager Michel Der Zakarian, whose side suffered a 4-2 defeat to Reims in their final game before the international break, is therefore feeling the heat. He will be hoping the two-week hiatus has given his side a chance to regroup, and can perhaps draw confidence from a return to the Stade de la Mosson, where La Paillade have picked up each of their four points in 2024/25, three of them coming in a 3-2 success against Auxerre, their only win to date.[/p]
[p]Supporters may not be too hopeful of racking up another victory against opponents Marseille, who are unbeaten in the last 11 H2Hs (W7, D4). The visitors will be looking to rekindle that kind of form, given they headed into the international break on the back of two games without a win (D1, L1), latterly a 1-1 draw with Angers, potentially signalling the end of Roberto De Zerbi’s honeymoon period in charge.[/p]
[p]The Italian took the reins in the summer and has overseen a huge upturn in results. The Phocaeans missed out on European football for this season after coming eighth in 2023/24, their lowest finish since 2016. However, they have mounted a surprise challenge for top spot in Ligue 1 thanks to four wins from seven attempts (D2, L1), meaning they head into this round just five points behind leaders Monaco.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Montpellier goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte has a joint-career high of seven draws in 16 H2Hs, but has only kept two clean sheets during that period (W4, L5). He will be attempting to thwart Marseille winger Luis Henrique, who after netting in victories over Nice and Brest this season, has won ten of the 12 games in which he has scored (D1, L1).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: The six goals Montpellier have conceded between minutes 46-60 this season is a high for Ligue 1.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]