The Stats Zone
October 19 2024, 14:12 · Alex Lawes

Montpellier vs Marseille Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1

Montpellier vs Marseille Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1

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Montpellier Herault have struggled at the start of this season and begin the weekend in the bottom two, whilst Marseille are challenging towards the top end of the table.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 20th October, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports

MONTPELLIER PREVIEW: STRUGGLING MONTPELLIER

Armenian coach Michel Der Zakarian remains in charge of Montpellier Herault but he is under growing pressure due to poor performances and results leaving Montpellier second-bottom ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.

The home team come into this one on the back of a 4-2 defeat to high-flying Stade de Reims in their most recent outing a couple of weeks ago. They have conceded 21 goals in their opening seven matches of this campaign.

MARSEILLE PREVIEW: CONTROVERSIAL MARSEILLE

Olympique de Marseille have a squad full of controversial characters with Roberto De Zerbi at the helm as the visitors try to create a side that can challenge for the Ligue 1 title but, almost inevitably, they have been dropping silly points of late.

L’OM come into this one on the back of a frustrating and deflating 1-1 draw against winless and rock-bottom Angers at Stade Velodrome a couple of weeks ago in their most recent outing before the October international break.

MONTPELLIER TEAM NEWS: KEY FIRST-TEAM ABSENTEES

Montpellier Herault are dealing with several first-team absentees. Modibo Sagnan is missing through suspension, whilst Mousa Al Tamari and Theo Sainte-Luce are out injured.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Bertaud; Sacko, Dzodic, Sylla, Mincarelli; Toure, Chotard; Nordin, Savanier, Khazri; Adams

UNAVAILABLE: Kouyate (Injured), Issoufou (Injured), Al Tamari (Injured), Sagnan (Suspended), Maamma (Injured), Sainte-Luce (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

MARSEILLE TEAM NEWS: SEVERAL ABSENTEES

Roberto De Zerbi is dealing with plenty of absentees this weekend as Neal Maupay is out suspended, whilst the likes of Ismael Kone and Faris Moumbagna are out injured.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Rulli; Michael Amir Murillo, Balerdi, Cornelius, Ulisses Garcia; Hojbjerg, Kondogbia; Greenwood, Harit, Luiz Henrique; Wahi

UNAVAILABLE: Ruben Blanco (Injured), Meite (Injured), Merlin (Injured), Kone (Injured), Carboni (Injured), Nadir (Injured), Moumbagna (Injured), Maupay (Suspended)

QUESTIONABLE:

MONTPELLIER VS MARSEILLE PREDICTION

Michel Der Zakarian is perhaps quite a reactive coach but even with rigid tactical stylings, his Montpellier side are often very entertaining – as shown by having the worst defensive record in the league. They now take on a Marseille side that when they have clicked at times this season, they have been magnificently entertaining to watch. A high-scoring Marseille victory is the likeliest outcome for this one in Montpellier.

MONTPELLIER VS MARSEILLE TIP: MARSEILLE TO WIN & OVER 2.5 GOALS