Montpellier vs Nantes Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1
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These are two of the likely mid-table candidates to be drawn towards the bottom three and the danger zone in Ligue 1 this season but they have started very differently with the hosts already seeming like they are in a lot of trouble.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 31st August, 2024 - UK – 6:00pm / US ET – 1:00pm / US PT – 10:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TBC / US – beIN Sports or beIN Sports de Espanol
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Ligue 1 website pass / US – Fubo or Fanatiz
MONTPELLIER PREVIEW: CIRCLING THE DRAIN
Under the management of both Olivier Dall’Oglio and now Armenian coach Michel Der Zakarian, Montpellier Herault have been struggling against falling into a relegation battle for a couple of seasons and, once again, it appears likely they will be dragged towards the bottom three and the danger zone this season.
On the opening day they were fortunate to snatch a point at home to an impressive looking Strasbourg side with key man Teji Savanier scoring an equalising penalty before they then went to the capital to face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes and they were hammered by six goals to nil with a really poor performance.
NANTES PREVIEW: THE PROGRESSION OF KOMBOUARE
Last season, Nantes appeared almost destined to finish in the bottom three at the end of the campaign with the sackings of both Pierre Aristouy and Jocelyn Gourvennac but then the return of Antoine Kombouare allowed them to eventually ease themselves away from that bottom three.
Now, with Kombouare embarking upon another full season in charge of the club, they have started quite well. Their season began steadily with a goalless draw away to Toulouse on the opening day before then dispatching of newly-promoted Auxerre by two goals to nil at Stade La Beaujoire last weekend.
MONTPELLIER TEAM NEWS: KEY ABSENTEES
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lecomte; Tchato, Omeragic, Kouyate, Sacko; Ferri, Chotard; Adams, Savanier, Khazri; Al-Tamari
UNAVAILABLE: Mincarelli (Injured), Sainte-Luce (Injured), Fayad (Injured), Sylla (Injured), Nordin (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
NANTES TEAM NEWS: LACK OF THREAT
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lafont; Coco, Castelletto, Zeze, Amian; Pedro Chirivella, Douglas Augusto; Thomas, Kadewere, Simon; Abline
UNAVAILABLE: Centonze (Injured), Mahamoud (Injured), Mollet (Injured), Ganago (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
MONTPELLIER VS NANTES PREDICTION
This one is unlikely to be an enjoyable encounter for the neutral with two sides that, before the season began, would have been worried about drifting down towards the bottom three. Montpellier are a low-scoring side, despite Michel Der Zakarian’s general desire to be quite entertaining and that may well help Nantes, who will likely look to control the game and simply edge themselves past their opponents.
MONTPELLIER VS NANTES TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – NANTES TO WIN OR DRAW
