As the competition nears Round 15, the game called between Montpellier and OGC Nice at the Stade de la Mosson must be one between two very different stories. Montpellier fights for their lives as the relegation zone looms over it and is currently in position 18 with only two wins; on the contrary, Nice, coached by Franck Haise, aims to seal their European ambitions from sixth place. Is Montpellier's desperate attempt at home going to be greater than Nice's recent future? Let's get into the tactical battles, form, and head to head that bring out all aspects of this composition.
Claim Welcome BonusMontpellier: Battling for Survival
Montpellier finds themselves in murky waters, having shown inconsistency and frailty at the back. Only two wins have been achieved by Jean-Louis Gasset's side in this campaign; a worrying sign as it approaches the must-win encounter. While boasting a 3-4-1-2 formation meant to offer a midfield balance and attacking options, some recent match performances have been void of cohesion and sharpness.
Home fixture-wise, they have been erratic (2W, 1D, 2L) ranging from Authoritative victories to disappointing implosion. The last was that of Lens, where a lack in creativity and defensive lapses led to a loss of 2-0. Gasset must get his players fired up and on track for a coal-miner's approach to grinding out safety before backtracking through to Nice's occasional away wobble.
Montpellier will rely on quick counters and exploitation of the flanks through their wing-backs to try and break down Nice's tight midfield. If they are fair to meddle, this is the time they will fight and not just lay down and hide at relegation sunrise.
OGC Nice: Chasing European Dream
Nice will jump to the pitch with a fresh bouquet of confidence after a hard-fought victory over Le Havre, getting that 2-1 score-date just when it was most needed after a rough period of two successive losses. The change to 4-3-1-2 by Franck Haise has greatly benefited through intensive emolitions.
Away form is their Achilles' heel, though, at 1W, 1D, and 3L. Pressure has revealed breaking points in the defensive structure and is often at a loss against any team with a counter-attack-minded set-up. In fact, this is the battle station of Nice against the rest, where they play their game and try to strengthen possession while countering Montpellier's wing-back system.
The defense organization will be impressed the most by Franck Haise at the same time unleashing creativity through the midfield pivot. Therein waits the marriage of tactical discipline and individual brilliance to conquer the home-field advantage that Montpellier supposedly has.
Head to Head
In 20 encounters, 10 wins have been recorded by Nice while Montpellier managed 7 wins. Only 3 matches did not see a winner with a draw. Historically, Nice has led this fixture, but the various hosts have usually troubled the visitors. Nice's last visit to Montpellier ended with a slim margin on the scoreline, showing that little can define any of their encounters.
Expert Betting Tips
The mystery and hopelessness of the home ground of Montpellier will combine to make them dangerous. Their defensive vulnerabilities are also likely to suffer under Nice's structured and clinical gameplay. Further tactical smartness from Franck Haise will expose gaps in Montpellier's setup, especially if the visitors find their rhythm early during possession.
Despite this, Nice's shaky away form leaves the door open for a potential upset by Montpellier. It should be a strictly contested game with both teams looking to capitalize on the opponent's mistakes. Nice's quality and tactical edge have the potential to edge over Montpellier, winning by a small margin.
- Away Win or Draw & Under 4.5 Goals @ 1.61 Odds
- Both Teams to Score @ 1.61 Odds
- OGC Nice Wins 2-1 @ 9.00 Odds
Other predictions
