Strasbourg – Home Stability as the Key to Success
Strasbourg has shown serious ambitions for securing a spot in European competitions this season, with their key strength being their solid performances at home. Under the guidance of Liam Rosenior, the team is currently six points behind Lens, who hold the last spot leading to the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
Between December and January, Strasbourg had an impressive unbeaten run – six wins and two draws in eight matches. However, the beginning of February has been more challenging, as they suffered back-to-back defeats. First, they lost 1-0 away to Rennes in Ligue 1, and then they were eliminated from the Coupe de France after a 3-1 home defeat to Angers.
What gives them confidence ahead of the match against Montpellier is their strong home record. Strasbourg has lost only twice at Stade de la Meinau this season, and this will be crucial in their attempt to bounce back and get back on the winning track. A victory here could see them level on points with Lyon and put even more pressure on teams fighting for European spots.
Montpellier – Defensive Struggles, but Fighting for Survival
Montpellier finds itself in a very difficult position, sitting second from bottom with just 15 points from 20 matches. They are currently five points away from safety, and their biggest problem has been their disastrous defense – they have not kept a single clean sheet all season and have conceded the most goals in the league.
However, recent games have shown some signs of life under experienced manager Jean-Louis Gasset. Montpellier recently achieved two consecutive victories, defeating Monaco (2-1) and Toulouse (2-1) away, which briefly lifted them from the bottom of the table. However, their momentum was halted last weekend with a 2-0 defeat against Lens, dragging them back into the relegation zone.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Strasbourg and Montpellier played out a 1-1 draw. If Montpellier can replicate that result, it would mean they have collected half of their total season points in their last six matches. However, their defensive issues remain a significant concern. If they hope to take anything from this game against a team pushing for a top-six finish, they will need to be uncharacteristically solid and composed at the back.
Betting Predictions
Based on current form and team quality, Strasbourg appears to be the favorite, especially given their strong home performances. Montpellier struggles defensively and has difficulty securing points against top-half teams.
- Bet 1: Strasbourg to win (odds around 1.80)
- Bet 2: Strasbourg to score 2+ goals (odds around 1.90)
- Bet 3: Both teams to score – NO (odds around 1.85)
Strasbourg will look to capitalize on their home advantage and break their losing streak, while Montpellier enters the match under pressure to collect points. However, given their defensive struggles, it is difficult to see them securing a positive result in this encounter.
