Montpellier and Nantes square off in a Friday night Ligue 1 fixture with both teams looking to put more daylight between themselves and the danger zone. Montpellier have been a bit inconsistent at home lately and with Nantes showing some good form on their travels, both teams could be set to cancel each other out.
Montpellier are coming off a 2-1 victory at Reims in their previous Ligue 1 fixture. The clash looked to be headed for a draw after Modibo Sagnan’s opener was cancelled by the hosts but Mousa Al-Ta’mari netted the winner four minutes from time.
That result extends Montpellier's recent good form as they have claimed three wins and a draw from their last four matches. Michel Der Zakarian’s men also continue to ease away from danger and are now eight points clear of the relegation zone.
A slight problem for Montpellier is that they have been a bit unconvincing at home having picked up just two wins in their last 10 matches in front of their fans. They have played out five draws in that run but did triumph 2-0 over Lorient in their previous fixture at Stade de la Mosson.
Nantes were on the receiving end of a thrashing last time out in Ligue 1 as they fell 3-0 at home to Rennes. They were constantly left exposed at the back and also failed to take advantage of the chances created.
The defeat means Nantes remain dangerously close to the relegation zone as they sit just three points above the bottom three. It is also a part of their recent poor form having lost five of their last seven matches.
The strange thing about Nantes’ recent form is that they have fared better on their travels. Antoine Kombouare’s men have won four of their last five away matches with a 2-1 victory at Nice among their results in that run.
How the bookies view it
Montpellier have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 19/20 by Betfred to claim the win. A victory for Nantes is valued at 3/1 by bet365 while BoyleSports is offering odds of 11/4 for a draw.
Recent head to head
Both teams have claimed three wins each from the last six meetings, although Nantes secured a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in October.
Players to watch
Teji Savanier is the leading scorer for Montpellier with eight Ligue 1 goals and will be the one to watch on Friday. The attacker is priced at 47/20 by Unibet to get on the score sheet.
Nantes will look to Mostafa Mohamed to provide the spark in attack having found the net eight times in Ligue 1 this season. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime at 9/4 with Paddy Power.
Anything else catch the eye?
Montpellier and Nantes are often unconvincing at the back and both teams could be tipped to score at 7/10 by 888Sport. Nantes have seen over 2.5 goals in four of their last five matches and a repeat is priced at 4/5 with William Hill while over 3.5 goals is valued at 41/20 by Unibet.
Four of the last five meetings have produced more goals after the break and a similar pattern is priced at 21/20 by William Hill.
This French Ligue 1 match between Montpellier and Nantes will be played on Apr 26, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Montpellier vs Nantes prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
