Montpellier vs Lorient Prediction: BTTS and over 2.5 goals

On Sunday, Montpellier will host Lorient at the Stade de la Mosson for a Ligue 1 match. Following widely disparate fortunes in the first half of the season, both teams are expected to finish in the middle of the table.

After winning seven of their previous 11 games, the hosts suffered a shocking 5-4 setback to Lyon. With nothing to play for, Montpellier is now ranked 12th. Three positions higher, Lorient appears to be regaining its best form following a stretch of inconsistent play.

A surprise 3-1 victory over champion-elect Paris Saint-Germain on April 30 was one of their two most recent victories.

with their recent history, Montpellier will be loking to defeat Lorient. 

Any worries that Montpellier might be relegated were swiftly allayed once Michel Der Zakarian was appointed manager of the team earlier this year. Montpellier climbed securely into mid-table shortly after his arrival thanks to an incredible run of success, and they are all but guaranteed a spot in the top division for the upcoming season.

No team in Ligue 1 has scored more goals in the 12 games since Der Zakarian took over than Montpellier, and their incredible offensive mentality has allowed them to amass 56 goals, only one fewer than second-placed Lens.

After the Armenian was hired, Montpellier went seven games without losing, but they have subsequently slowed down a bit, suffering three losses in five games. Unfortunately and surprisingly, Montpellier lost to Lyon 5-4 last weekend in one of the most important games of the season in Europe.

After defeating Monaco 4-0 the week prior, it was their second straight away game in which they scored four goals, and they held a 4-1 lead at the Groupama Stadium before falling to a masterful performance by Alexandre Lacazette in the second half.

Elye Wahi extended their incredible season by scoring all four goals that gave them a dominating lead, but a 99th-minute penalty caused them to lose and leave Lyon empty-handed.

Teji Savanier will serve the third and final game of his three-game suspension after being sent off against Rennes. However, Kiki Kouyate will be allowed to play again after serving his suspension and missing the Lyon game due to a growing number of cautions. Wahbi Khazri and Beni Makouana are both out due to injuries to their thighs for Montpellier.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Lecomte

Defenders: Sacko, Jullien, Kouyate, Sylla

Midfielder: Ferri, Chotard, Fayad

Strikers:Nordin, Wahi, Maouassa

Lorient has had a very different season than Montpellier, yet they could end up being only a few points apart. They were contending for the Champions League for the majority of the season, but a precipitous decline now makes it virtually inevitable that they will not play in Europe at all.

Although it is still theoretically feasible, the job seems nearly daunting when you are eight points behind Lille with only four games remaining. But other than that victory at PSG, they have lost their past eight away games, and their recent track record versus Montpellier doesn't exactly inspire optimism.

Lorient is at least closing the season with some vigor after winning their past two games, matching their total from the previous three months.

Following a crushing victory against 10-man Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes two weeks ago, Lorient defeated Brest by a slim margin. But other than that victory at PSG, they have lost their past eight away games, and their recent track record versus Montpellier doesn't exactly inspire optimism.

Last weekend's substitute Jean-Victor Makengo received a late red card, keeping him out of this game. While Vito Mannone is still out due to concussion procedures, Igor Silva and Julien Laporte are still injured.

Lorient's possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Mvogo 

Defenders: Cathline, Kalulu, Talbi, Le Goff, Yongwa

Midfielder: Innocent, Abergel, Faivre, Le Fee

Striker: Kone

There won't be much at stake for either team, but this game should be exciting. Both teams can score a lot of goals, but neither has a very strong defense. 

Although Lorient has recently been in significantly better shape than Montpellier, the home team boasts an unstoppable assault and has scored nine goals in their past three games. 

In their past 12 encounters against Lorient, Montpellier has gone undefeated. Montpellier will hope to pick up another victory in this game by scoring the goals needed. Lorient's season, despite a recent upswing, has been a nightmare in 2023, and they could struggle against one of the league's finest attacking teams.

The prediction is a home victory since their offensive should give them a modest advantage. Potential scorelines include 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, or 4-1.