Reims vs Montpellier prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-10-05 15:00.
[p]Reims haven’t looked back since losing their Ligue 1 opener 2-0 to Lille, going unbeaten across their five most recent league matches (W3, D2) to start matchday seven in an impressive fourth place. They’ve already drawn with PSG (1-1 home) and Marseille (2-2 away), two of the sides above them, so can’t be underestimated by any side as Luka Elsner’s dream start since joining as manager in the summer continues.[/p]
[p]While that Lille defeat is their only one across their last five home league fixtures (W3, D1), that sequence started after they lost 2-1 to Montpellier in April, so the Red and Whites have reason to be wary as they start October at Stade Auguste-Delaune. So too does Elsner, as he’s yet to win a managerial H2H (D1, L3), on each occasion seeing his opponents of the day score at least twice.[/p]
[p]Montpellier’s good recent H2H record against Reims (W2, D4, L1) and Elsner are among the few positives they have ahead of this clash given they’ve lost four of their six league matches this term (W1, D1) and ended matchday six inside the bottom three. Like Reims, they’re yet to keep a league clean sheet this term, but a lack of goals has also led to their worst six-game start since 2015/16.[/p]
[p]It’s been a dismal start for them on the road too, as they’ve lost all three league away outings while conceding an average of 3.67 goals per game. Another defeat here would see them lose their first four of a top-flight campaign for the first time since 1981/82 and place more heat on already under-pressure manager Michel Der Zakarian.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Keito Nakamura has netted in each of Reims’ last three fixtures, with the last two of those goals both opening the scoring in the ninth minute! Montpellier’s Rabby Nzingoula opened the scoring against Monaco (L 2-1) inside 20 minutes but prior to that collected three bookings in as many appearances.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ahead of the round, Montpellier were one of two sides yet to score after the 75th minute in Ligue this term (Saint-Étienne being the other).[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]