Montpellier vs. Lyon Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 16 February 2025 - bettingexpert

This upcoming Ligue 1 clash on 16 February 2025 sees Montpellier hosting Lyon at the Stade de la Mosson. Montpellier are currently struggling in the league, holding the 18th position with just 15 points. Meanwhile, Lyon sit comfortably in 6th place with 33 points as they push for a European spot.

The match referee, Marc Bollengier, will oversee this battle, in which Lyon are the bookmaker favourites. Recent form suggests Lyon are in a better place, especially after their 4-0 win against Reims, while Montpellier have had inconsistent results.

Montpellier have conceded an average of 2.2 goals per game and have yet to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches. Conversely, Lyon have shown defensive solidity, with two clean sheets in their last five games.

Considering these factors, we recommend betting on Lyon to win, which is priced favourably at 1.75 odds. Montpellier’s poor form and Lyon’s recent upswing make this a promising bet. Montpellier will need a strong performance to avoid defeat and maintain hope for survival in the league.

Montpellier vs Lyon Prediction & Betting Tip

Recommended Betting Tip

Given the current form and statistics, the recommended tip is for Lyon to win the match. Here’s why:

• Montpellier has been struggling this season and has failed to win consistently.
• Lyon is in better form and has shown defensive resilience with 2 clean sheets in their last 5 games.
• The bookmaker odds favor Lyon, making it a financially reasonable bet.

Betting Tip Table

Montpellier vs Lyon Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Lyon to Win	1.75

Why This Prediction is Good

• Montpellier concedes an average of 2.2 goals per game, making their defense highly vulnerable.
• Lyon has recently returned to winning ways with a convincing 4-0 victory against Reims.
• History favors Lyon, having won four of their last five encounters against Montpellier.

Choosing Lyon to win is a solid bet given the form and statistical trends, making it a promising option for this Ligue 1 clash.

Montpellier vs Lyon Odds

Analyzing the odds for this Ligue 1 fixture, it’s clear that Lyon are the favorites. The bookmaker odds paint a vivid picture of their confidence in Lyon’s ability to secure a win. Even with Montpellier having home advantage, their current form and league position make them the underdogs.

Montpellier vs Lyon Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Montpellier	4.45
Draw	4.18
Lyon	1.68

Lyon’s position in the standings, coupled with their recent form, justifies the shorter odds. A win for Lyon looks likely, given their momentum and Montpellier’s ongoing struggles.

Montpellier Team Analysis

Montpellier Recent Performance

Montpellier’s form has been a mixed bag recently. Their last 5 matches have seen them secure two wins and suffer three losses. Let’s break it down:

Home team	Away team	Result
Strasbourg	Montpellier	2-0 (Loss)
Montpellier	Lens	0-2 (Loss)
Toulouse	Montpellier	1-2 (Win)
Montpellier	Monaco	2-1 (Win)
Montpellier	Angers	1-3 (Loss)

This sequence of results highlights their struggles; conceding goals remains a significant concern as they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five outings.
They are averaging just 1.00 goal scored per game in this stretch, and with an average of conceding 2.2 goals per match over the season, the defense is certainly an area needing improvement.
Montpellier will need to tighten up at the back and hope to rediscover some attacking spark if they want to move up the table.

Montpellier Key Players

For Montpellier, a few standout players will be pivotal as they look to climb from the bottom of the Ligue 1 table. Arnaud Nordin is their top scorer with 4 goals this season, and they’ll be banking on him to find the net against Lyon. Tanguy Coulibaly and Andy Delort, leading the attack, will need to step up their game to break down Lyon’s defense.
In midfield, Teji Savanier’s creativity could be crucial for unlocking opportunities, while Joris Chotard’s stability can provide a solid base.
Expected lineup for Montpellier:

• Goalkeeper: Benjamin Lecomte
• Defenders: Enzo Tchato, Bamo Meite, Modibo Sagnan, Theo Sainte-Luce
• Midfielders: Joris Chotard, Becir Omeragic, Khalil Fayad, Teji Savanier
• Attackers: Tanguy Coulibaly, Andy Delort

Watch out for the battles between Montpellier’s forwards and Lyon’s sturdy defenders Clinton Mata and Moussa Niakhate.

Montpellier Suspensions & Injuries

Several injuries are currently hampering Montpellier, which could significantly affect their performance against Lyon.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Christopher Jullien	Cruciate ligament injury	Late February 2025
Nikola Maksimovic	Hamstring injury	Out for the season
Issiaga Sylla	Groin injury	Late February 2025

With Christopher Jullien and Issiaga Sylla sidelined until late February and Nikola Maksimovic out for the season, Montpellier’s defense will be weaker. These absences may force Jean-Louis Gasset to rely more heavily on less experienced players to fill these gaps. This could be a concern against Lyon’s potent attacking options.

Montpellier Tactics and Formation

Montpellier Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
  Jean-Louis Gasset is expected to field a 4-2-3-1 formation against Lyon at Stade de la Mosson. Given their current struggles, with a position at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table, this setup aims for a balance between defense and attack.
• Key Forward: Andy Delort
  Delort will be pivotal in leading the attack, supported by Tanguy Coulibaly on the right.
• Midfield Trio: Joris Chotard, Becir Omeragic, Khalil Fayad
  With Teji Savanier playing in an attacking midfield role, Chotard and Omeragic will look to control the tempo from the central positions.
• Defensive Challenge: Conceding 2.2 goals on average per match
  Montpellier’s defense has been porous, and with key injuries to players like Christopher Jullien and Nikola Maksimovic, Gasset might need to leverage younger, less experienced talents.
• Key Strategy: Maintain shape
  To counter Lyon’s dynamic attack, Montpellier will likely focus on maintaining a solid defensive shape and look for counter-attacking opportunities.

Lyon Team Analysis

Lyon Recent Performance

Lyon have been on a bit of an up-and-down run in their last five matches. Paulo Fonseca’s men recently showed a strong comeback with a 4-0 win over Reims, although their previous encounters included a defeat and several draws.

Home team	Away team	Result
Lyon	Reims	4-0 (Win)
Marseille	Lyon	3-2 (Loss)
Lyon	Ludogorets	1-1 (Draw)
Nantes	Lyon	1-1 (Draw)
Fenerbahçe	Lyon	0-0 (Draw)

Lyon have managed to keep 2 clean sheets and average 1.60 goals in their last 5 games. Their form might be mixed, but the ability to score remains consistent, which is crucial as they face Montpellier.

Lyon Key Players

Expected lineup for Lyon:

• Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri
• Defenders: Saël Kumbedi, Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakhate, Nicolas Tagliafico
• Midfielders: Corentin Tolisso, Nemanja Matic, Tanner Tessmann
• Attackers: Ernest Nuamah, Georges Mikautadze, Rayan Cherki

Despite the absence of Alexandre Lacazette due to a knee injury, Lyon possesses a strong attacking threat. Watch out for Rayan Cherki and Ernest Nuamah, who have shown flashes of brilliance down the wings.

Georges Mikautadze, as the centre forward, has big shoes to fill and will likely be the focal point in attack. The midfield trio, led by the experienced Nemanja Matic, will play a critical role in controlling the tempo and breaking down Montpellier’s defenses.

Key individual battles to watch include prolific Lyon attackers against Montpellier’s defensive duo of Meite and Sagnan. These matchups could very well decide the flow and outcome of the game.

Lyon Suspensions & Injuries

Injuries

Player	Injury	Expected return
Alexandre Lacazette	Knee injury	Early March 2025

The absence of Alexandre Lacazette due to a knee injury is a significant blow for Lyon. As their top scorer with 6 goals, Lacazette’s finishing and leadership will be missed up front. Paulo Fonseca will need to rely on Georges Mikautadze to step up in Lacazette’s absence. This might also offer Rayan Cherki and Ernest Nuamah more responsibility in the attacking build-up, especially in creating scoring opportunities.

Currently, Lyon have no suspended players, which might give them an edge in maintaining tactical consistency and squad balance ahead of this crucial fixture.

Lyon Tactics and Formation

Lyon Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Georges Mikautadze
• Midfield Trio: Corentin Tolisso, Nemanja Matic, Tanner Tessmann
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Strong attack during the 31-45-minute interval.

Paulo Fonseca prefers deploying a 4-3-3 formation, maximizing width and control in midfield. With Alexandre Lacazette sidelined, Georges Mikautadze is expected to lead the line.

The midfield trio of Tolisso, Matic, and Tessmann provides a balance of creativity, experience, and defensive cover. This setup aims to dominate possession and disrupt Montpellier’s play.

Defensively, Lyon has shown resilience with two clean sheets recently, suggesting a well-organized backline capable of absorbing pressure.

Expect Lyon to exploit their strengths, particularly their attacking prowess in the closing minutes of the first half, a period where they tend to score most frequently.

Montpellier vs Lyon Head-to-Head Statistics

Here’s a look at the last five encounters between Montpellier and Lyon:

Home	Away	Result
Lyon	Montpellier	1-0
Montpellier	Lyon	1-2
Lyon	Montpellier	1-4
Lyon	Montpellier	5-4
Montpellier	Lyon	1-2

These results demonstrate Lyon’s dominance, having won four out of the last five match-ups. However, Montpellier did secure an impressive 4-1 victory in August 2023.

Historically, matches between these two teams are high-scoring and competitive. Lyon’s attacking abilities often leave Montpellier’s defense wanting, and given Montpellier’s current form and league position, Lyon will look to exploit these weaknesses once again.

Odds accurate as of 02/14/2025 14:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.