Montpellier host Reims in Ligue 1 this Sunday at the Stade de la Mosson.
They are currently number 14 and the visitors are three places above number 11. Montpellier currently have one of the worst streaks in Ligue 1. This is because they have not won in their last 6 games. Without a permanent manager, they are two points above the relegation zone and will be looking for some points before the end of the season at the upcoming World Cup.
Reims, on the other hand, have lost just 4 of their first 13 games but haven’t won enough to move up the table. They are currently on a 6 match unbeaten streak but have only won 2 of those matches and drawn the rest.
Reims will focus on maintaining their current mid-table position later in the season as there are no real opportunities in European football as Reims have 11 points remaining.
Montpellier are currently in a serious slump after starting a whirlwind season with 7-0 and 3-2 wins and 5-2 and 4-2 defeats. After sacking Olivier Dall’Oglio following the Lens defeat in mid-October, Romain Pitau’s job comes as little surprise.
The draw against Clermont last week was their first game of the season and they continued a five-match winless run but dropped just one point from 18 games at La Pailla. At the Gabriel Montpierre Stadium, the opposing team were awarded two penalty kicks and were lucky to score points.
Prediction
The last three meetings between Montpellier and Reims ended in a draw and the previous three meetings also ended in a win for Reims. Worryingly, Montpellier last beat Reims at home in November 2015. No team in Ligue 1 has drawn more matches than Reims this season, with 7 of their opening 14 matches drawn, including 3 of their last 5 matches.
Montpellier, on the other hand, drew just once last weekend, in a 1-1 draw with Clermont. Reims officially have the worst disciplinary record in Ligue 1 – 33 yellow cards and 6 red cards. Defender Emmanuel Agbadu was sent off twice. Although not yet in the relegation zone, Montpellier have conceded 28 goals so far, including 13 in their last six games, three more than any team in Ligue 1.
On loan from Arsenal, Reims striker Polarin Balogun has scored eight goals this season, including a goal against Nantes last weekend.
Head-to-head
The last three meetings between Montpellier and Reims ended in a draw and the previous three meetings also ended in a win for Reims. Worryingly, Montpellier last beat Reims at home in November 2015. No team in Ligue 1 has drawn more matches than Reims this season, with 7 of their opening 14 matches drawn, including 3 of their last 5 matches.
Montpellier, on the other hand, drew just once last weekend, in a 1-1 draw with Clermont. Reims officially have the worst disciplinary record in Ligue 1 – 33 yellow cards and 6 red cards. Defender Emmanuel Agbadu was sent off twice. Although not yet in the relegation zone, Montpellier have conceded 28 goals so far, including 13 in their last six games, three more than any team in Ligue 1.
On loan from Arsenal, Reims striker Polarin Balogun has scored eight goals this season, including a goal against Nantes last weekend.
Line-up
Montpellier predicted starting lineup:
Maouassa; Fayad, Savanier, Ferri; Mavididi, Wahi, Kamara; Sacko, Cozza, Jullien, Esteve.
Reims predicted starting lineup:
Matusiwa, Cajuste, Doumbia, Zeneli; Balogun, Diouf; Flips, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, Locko; Ito.
Betting tips
Conclusion – Reims win
Reims keeps clean sheet – Yes (Reims have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six games against Montpellier, and have a tight defence).
Folarin Balogun scores for Reims – Yes (Balogun has scored eight Ligue 1 goals this season and scored the winner against Nantes last weekend).
Where to watch
Voot streams this match.