Matchday 14 in Ligue 1 between Lens and Montpellier will take place on December 8 at the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium. Lens vs. Montpellier: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Mathieu Vernice (France)
Matches – 6 (Ligue 1, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 27;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.5;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 33%.
Predicted lineups for Lens vs. Montpellier
Lens (3-4-3): Brice Samba – Abdul Khadir Khusanov, Kevin Danso, Facundo Medina – Przemysław Frankowski, Adrien Thomasson, Andy Diouf, Anass Zaroury – Remy Labeau-Lascary, Angelo Fulgheni, M'Bala Nzola.
Montpellier (4-5-1): Benjamin Lecomte – Issiaga Sylla, Bechir Omeragic, Nikola Maksimovic, Enzo Chato Mbiayi – Jordan Ferri, Joris Chotard, Arnaud Nordin, Teji Savanier, Mousa Al-Tamari – Wahbi Khazri.
Each team's starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament is listed.
Lens
The club extended their uncompromising streak in Ligue 1 to six matches (3 wins, 3 losses) by defeating Reims 2-0 in the last round. Interestingly, before this, Lens had drawn with their opponents in five consecutive matches in this tournament. Thanks to the victory over Reims, the team has closed in on the European competition zone in the French championship standings, moving up from 9th to 7th place. Additionally, in the last round, Lens managed to end their streak of conceding goals in Ligue 1, which had lasted four matches.
- No more than 2 goals have been scored in 10 of the team's last 13 league matches.
- The number "2" appeared in the final score in 5 of the team's last 7 Ligue 1 matches.
- Lens has failed to win 4 of their last 5 home matches in this tournament (2 draws, 2 losses).
Montpellier
The team, on the other hand, ended their uncompromising streak of 11 league matches (2 wins, 9 losses) by drawing 2-2 with Lille in the last round. The single point earned did not allow Montpellier to leave the last place in the Ligue 1 standings, with a three-point gap from their nearest competitor. It's important to note that the team has not been able to end their streak of conceding goals in the French championship, which has reached 19 matches. Montpellier remains the league's worst defensive club with 34 goals conceded.
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 10 of the team's last 12 league matches.
- The team has won with a handicap (+1.5) in 4 previous Ligue 1 matches.
- Montpellier's away losing streak in the top French division stands at 6 matches.
Lens vs. Montpellier: Match Prediction
Will Still's team managed to take 3 points from Reims in the last round, despite the balanced nature of the match. I believe that in the upcoming match, Lens will look much more confident. The hosts should have significant control in the game against the weakest away team in the tournament. Montpellier is the only club in the current Ligue 1 season that hasn't earned any points away from home. The team has lost all 6 away matches, with a goal difference of 3:17.
Moreover, Montpellier lost "to nil" in 2 of the last 3 away head-to-head matches in Ligue 1 (1 draw). In 3 of the last 4 personal meetings at Lens's field in the championship, they conceded exactly 2 goals. I don't think the visitors will be able to play more reliably in defense this time either. Montpellier has been conceding for 19 consecutive matches in the elite French league, and in the current tournament season, they have conceded 34 goals in 13 matches.
Therefore, my prediction: Home win + Individual Total Over 1.5 goals for Lens
