The Ligue 1 resumes as ninth-placed Strasbourg takes on Montpellier, a side deep in relegation battles. Although they have shown signs of improvement under Liam Rosenior, Strasbourg remains an inconsistent unit, while Jean-Louis Gasset of Montpellier has an uphill task to steer his side out of the drop zone. Both sides lost their preceding matches, and given their defensive weaknesses, one can see a plethora of scoring opportunities in this one.
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Mixed results have defined Strasbourg's season thus far: they are in ninth place, having won, drawn, and lost 7 games each. Their home form has been erratic (2W, 1D, 2L in the last five) and they are coming on the back of a Coupe de France defeat at home to Angers by a score of 3-1, with a goal from Felix Lemarechal.
Rosenior's men have been able to get results in spite of their defensive issues, and they will fancy doing the same against a weak defense from Montpellier with attacking threats like Lemarechal.
Key Trends & Teams News:-
Defensive hardship: Strasbourg has been scoring against in their last 7 games which is a worry against a Montpellier side starved for goals.
High-scoring affairs: 7 of the last 9 over 2.5 suggests an open game might be on.
Both teams to score: In 6 out of the last 7, both teams scored.
Transfer news: Andrew Omobamidele will come in on loan from Nottingham Forest to strengthen the backline.
Montpellier Preview
Montpellier needs to win most of its remaining fixtures because with only four wins so far this season, it is currently perilously gliding through, occupying the seventeenth position and on the verge of relegation, found on the last day of descent: they have been in horrible form since three of their last five matches have ended in a loss with Montpellier going down by 2-0 to RC Lens last time out. And to rub salt on the wound, coach Jean-Louis Gasset-a red card-this match received a suspension from the touchline for the next match.
Montpellier desperately requires points; however, judging from their past record away and defensively as well, another tough evening is foreseen at Strasbourg.
Key Trends & Team News:
Considering the last ten matches, Montpellier has always conceded the first goal, which shows that possibly Strasbourg will get a hold in this one from the beginning. Defensive troubles: 32 goals conceded this season; away form has also been threatening for them (1 win and 4 losses in the last five away games). Discipline problems: There is a suspension for Joris Chotard- he received three yellow cards.
The loan signing of Bamo Meïté, a defender from Marseille, could provide some immediate cover, although it is debatable whether he can be thrown into action right away.
Low card & corner count: Under 4.5 total cards in 6 of their last 8 matches and under 10.5 corners in 4 of their last 5 matches indicate a very cautious approach.
Head-to-Head (H2H) Stats & Trends
Montpellier who rules H2H: 4 wins for Montpellier, with Strasbourg managing only 2 wins and drawing 2 of their last 8 meetings.
Strasbourg has remained unbeaten in the last four encounters with Montpellier.
Both teams have scored: 5 of the last 6 meetings have seen goals scored at both ends of the field( BTTS).
Cards & fouls: In 6 of the last 7 H2H matches, the total amount of cards issued will surpass the 4.5 mark.
Montpellier will struggle to hold the defense together: last 3 matches against Strasbourg, they let in 6 goals.
Expert Betting Tips
Total Goals – Over 2.5 @ 1.72 Odds on Bet365:-
Strasbourg managed to breach the 2.5 mark in 7 out of their last 9 games.
In Montpellier last 7 games, 5 have had at least 3 goals.
Both defenses are vulnerable, making a high-scoring game very likely.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS – Yes) @ 1.63 Odds on Betway:-
The last 7 games of Strasbourg have seen both teams score in 6.
5 of the most recent 6 games of H2H between the two teams have ended in BTTS.
Montpellier desperately needs points and will therefore attack.
Strasbourg to Score in First Half @ 1.66 Odds on 1xbet:-
Montpellier has been conceding first for the last 10 games.
Strasbourg has scored in 3 of the last 4 home first halves.
Given Montpellier's shaky defense, an early goal looks promising.
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