The Matchday 20 clash in Ligue 1 between Montpellier and Lens will take place on January 31 at the Stade de la Mosson. Montpellier vs. Lens: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Montpellier
In the last round, Jean-Louis Gasset's side defeated Toulouse (2-1). The club has won only twice in their previous eight Ligue 1 encounters (2 draws, 4 losses). After Matchday 19, the team moved up to 17th in the standings and is now just two points behind their nearest rival, Rennes. Notably, Montpellier has conceded 23 goals at home in the current championship, the worst record among all tournament participants.
Key midfielder Jordan Ferri will miss the game due to suspension. It is worth mentioning that one of the team's iconic players, forward Andy Delort, has returned to the squad.
- Opponents have scored at least three times in the last nine home matches of the club in Ligue 1.
- Montpellier has conceded at least two goals in seven of their last nine home league matches.
- The team has not lost in four of their last five home games in this tournament (2 wins, 2 draws).
Predicted lineup for Montpellier (3-4-1-2)
Benjamin Lecomte – Modibo Sagnan, Becir Omeragic, Kiki Kouyate – Issiaga Sylla, Joris Chotard, Rabi N'Jingula, Enzo Chato Mbiayi – Teji Savanier – Wahbi Khazri, Musa Al-Tamari.
Lens
In the last round, William Still's side defeated Angers (1-0). The team has not lost in five of their last seven league matches (4 wins, 1 draw). The club is in 7th place in the standings, with Lyon in 6th only ahead due to goal difference. Notably, Lens has conceded just eight goals in away matches this Ligue 1 season, one of the best records among all teams in the current championship.
Reserve goalkeeper Denis Petric, defender Joanner Chavez, and forwards Florian Sotoca, Remy Labeau-Lascary, and Martin Satriano will miss the game due to health issues.
- The club has scored exactly twice in five of their last six away matches in this tournament.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 22 of Lens' last 24 away league matches.
- The team has scored in the first half in five of their last six away Ligue 1 games.
Predicted lineup for Lens (5-3-2)
Mathew Ryan – Angelo Fulgini, Facundo Medina, Malang Sarr, Jonathan Gradit, Przemyslaw Frankowski – Neil El Aynaoui, Adrien Thomasson, Florian Sotoca – Gaël Kakuta, M'Bala Nzola.
Referee
Bastien Dechepy (France)
Matches – 8 (Ligue 1, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 30;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 63%.
Match Prediction: Montpellier vs. Lens
Montpellier's scoring performance in recent home Ligue 1 matches has improved – the club, despite being considered an underdog, is not afraid to push forward and try to create opportunities. The team has scored in their last five home games in this tournament, with at least two goals in four of those matches. However, Montpellier still makes defensive errors, having conceded in their last 12 home league matches.
Lens also struggles to maintain defensive solidity in away Ligue 1 matches. The team has failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last eight away games in this tournament. However, they have no issues in attack, scoring in 16 of their last 17 away league matches. During this period, Lens only failed to score against the reigning champions, PSG (0-1).
I anticipate both teams finding the net in the upcoming encounter. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
