Monaco vs Montpellier
Stade Luis II, Monaco
Friday, 14-02-2020 @10:45pm
Ref: Ruddy Buquet
Robert Moreno’s Monaco have finally managed to get some grit into their performances, winning their last two matches despite not playing their best football. They trailed with five minutes to go last week against Amiens but managed to eventually win 2-1 through goals from Wissam Ben Yedder and Islam Slimani. This followed their previous victory over Angers (1-0) and Monaco have now clambered up to seventh in Ligue 1.
However, as has been mentioned, these victories have hardly been well-deserved. Despite the recent victory at home to Angers, Monaco have not been enjoying themselves at the Stade Louis II, with three defeats in their last four in the principality. They’ve conceded eight in this time and will need to be careful, as they have another difficult opponent coming over the hill in the shape of Montpellier.
Michel Der Zakarian’s side got back on track last week as they edged past Saint-Étienne 1-0. It was a welcome result for the team that had rather unexpectedly gone three games without a win, despite beginning 2020 on a high. They scored an early winner through Andy Delort but had to endure a lot of pressure to come away with the three points.
However, Montpellier will have to play with the setback that is their awful away record here. Despite winning six of their last nine matches in all competitions, Der Zakarian’s men have really struggled with playing on the road. They sit fifth in Ligue 1 but would be drifting just above the relegation zone if the table were decided on away results.
They’ve won just two of their 14 away games this season, both coming against weak opponents in relegation-battlers Amiens and amateur side Reims Sainte-Anne; in their last two outings they also lost 5-0 to PSG and were knocked out of the cup by fourth-tier Belfort.
Monaco won their last home game but it was a lucky victory over Angers, with the visitors having the lion’s share of the chances. Before this, Monaco had lost each of their last three games in the principality, with eight conceded.
Montpellier have won six of their last nine games in all competitions but have an awful away record, with just two wins all season on the road. The visitors are unbeaten in their last three clashes with Monaco, winning two and drawing one.
The other Ligue One games this weekend
Saturday, 15-02-2020
-Amiens vs PSG @7:30pm
-Bordeaux vs Dijon @10pm
-Nantes vs Metz @10pm
-Toulouse vs Nice @10pm
-Nimes vs Angers @10pm
Sunday, 16-02-2020
-Lyon vs Strasbourg @5pm
-Brest vs Saint Etienne @7pm
-Reims vs Rennes @7pm
-Lille vs Marseille @11pm
