The task for Marseille will be to snap out of a mini slump as they travel to Montpellier for a Ligue 1 fixture on Sunday. Despite a slight dip in form, Marseille will still be confident of getting the better of Montpellier, who have been out of sorts all season.
Montpellier are enduring an abysmal start to the season having won just once in their opening seven Ligue 1 matches. Michel Der Zakarian’s men have been beaten five times in that run and are already looking like prime candidates for relegation.
The major problem for Montpellier is a lack of discipline at the back, which was evident last time out as they fell 4-2 at Reims. They were constantly carved open at the back as Arnaud Nordin's brace ultimately proved futile.
Marseille will head into Sunday’s clash looking to snap out of a mini-slump. Having made a blistering start to the season, They lost their way prior to the international break, failing to win their last two matches.
The good news for Marseille is that they have still only lost once all season and were held to a 1-1 draw by Angers in their previous fixture. Roberto De Zerbi’s men have also won three of their last four Ligue 1 away matches.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Marseille
Marseille have been installed as overwhelming favourites and are priced at 7/10 by Betfred to claim the win. Montpellier are considered outsiders, with a home win valued at 3/1 by Betfred, who is also offering 11/4 for a draw.
Head to head: Marseille on top
Marseille have a 26-10 advantage with 13 draws from 49 previous matches against Montpellier. They also claimed a 4-1 victory in the last meeting back in February.
Players to watch: Eyes on Rowe
Jonathan Rowe was showing some good form prior to the international break, scoring in two of the last three matches. The forward could be the one to watch on Sunday and is priced at 9/5 by Betfred to find the net once again.
Montpellier have also shown some attacking verve this season and will look to Akor Adams to provide the spark. The forward has three goals and is priced at 11/5 by Betfred to get on the score sheet on Sunday.
Probable line-ups
Modibo is suspended for Montpellier while Yanis Issoufou and Boubakar Kouyate are sidelined with injury. Adams and Nordin should feature in attack once again while Stefan Dzodic should continue at the back.
Neal Maupay was shown a red card last time out for Marseille and is ruled out of Sunday’s clash. Jonathan Rowe could replace the Frenchman up front while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is set to start in midfield.
Montpellier: Bertaud, Sacko, Tchato, Dzodic, Mincarelli, Toure, Chotard, Nordin, Sevanier, Khazri, Adams
Marseille: Rulli, Murillo, Cornelius, Balerdi, Garcia, Kondogbia, Hojbjerg, Greenwood, Carboni, Henrique, Rowe
Anything else catch the eye?
There were over 4.5 goals in the last meeting between Montpellier and Marseille and a similar outcome is priced at 3/1 by Betfred. Over 3.5 goals could also be considered at 5/4 by Betfred.
Marseille scored in both halves in the last meeting with Montpellier and a similar pattern is priced at 13/10 by Betfred.
This French Ligue 1 match between Montpellier and Marseille will be played on Oct 20, 2024 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Montpellier vs Marseille prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
