Big Game Focus: Montpellier v Olympique Lyon

 

Olympique Lyon are looking to continue with their terrific run of form when they visit Montpellier in their third Ligue 1 match of the campaign. Montpellier are still finding their feet this season where they’ve started with a draw and a defeat. Can they protect their own patch against a rampant Lyon side? Bet on Ligue 1 here. 

A defeat and a draw doesn’t put them Montpellier in a bad state but they need to find their feet soon. A match against a rampant Lyon is going to be a huge task. They drew 1-1 with a poor Bordeaux side last week and lost 1-0 to Rennes on the opening day of the season. Do Michel Der Zakarian’s men have what it takes to take down Lyon?

Lyon couldn’t have asked for a better start to their Ligue 1 season. In their first two matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded none. A 3-0 victory over a struggling Monaco was preceded by a 6-0 demolition over Angers which is quite impressive from newly appointed manager Sylvinho. The visitors have also won seven of their last eight Ligue 1 matches, but can they keep this up?

Betting preview

The visitors have also won seven of their last eight Ligue 1 matches. They have won five in their last six matches in the league. The hosts are winless in their last three home matches in the competition. Montpellier haven’t won any of their last four clashes with Lyon. You can back an Away Win at odds of 1.85. 

In the last five meetings between these two former champions, both teams have scored. Lyon have scored in their last five Ligue 1 matches while the hosts have scored in three of their last five. Therefore, odds of 1.80 for Both Teams to Score look appealing. 

Lyon’s last ten matches in Ligue 1 have seen three or more goals scored. Moreover, the visitors have scored nine goals in their opening two matches. Three of the last five matches between them have seen Over 2.5 Goals. For that reason, you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.90. 

Team news

For the home side, Daniel Congré is suspended here with Nicolas Cozza expected to take the veteran’s place on the left side of the defence. If Florent Mollet and Junior Sambia are still unavailable, Mihailo Ristic could reprise the central midfield role he played against Bordeaux.

Lyon will be unlikely to make any changes here having thrashed Angers 6-0. Jeff Reine-Adélaïde could come in on the right for Bertrand Traoré.

Possible line-ups

Montpellier: Rulli, Mendes, Hilton, Cozza, Souquet, Ristic, Tallec, Oyongo, Ferri, Laborde, Delort

Lyon : Lopes, Dubois, Andersen, Denayer, Kone, Mendes, Tousart, Aouar, Traore, Dembele, Depay