Nice vs. Montpellier Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 23 February 2025 - bettingexpert

This Ligue 1 clash between Nice and Montpellier is set to kick off at 16:15 on 23 February 2025 at Allianz Riviera. With Nice riding high in 3rd place on 40 points, they’ll be keen to close the gap on 2nd-placed Marseille, who lead them by 6 points. Montpellier, on the other hand, are struggling in 18th place with just 15 points, fighting to escape the relegation zone.

Expect goals early on in this match. Nice have been strong starters at home and typically take control early, while Montpellier have a leaky defense, conceding an average of 2.3 goals per game this season. Our match tip suggests betting on over 2.5 goals in the first half, given these tendencies.

Referee Willy Delajod, who tends to award plenty of penalties and yellow cards, might also add some drama to the mix. Despite missing Melvin Bard due to suspension, Nice look poised to dominate this encounter and should secure a comfortable win.

Nice vs Montpellier Prediction & Betting Tip

We recommend betting on over 2.5 goals in the first half for this fixture. Nice often start matches strongly at home and typically take control early, while Montpellier’s defense has been consistently weak, frequently conceding multiple goals per game.

• Nice have scored in every home game this season.
• Montpellier concede an average of 2.3 goals per match.
• Nice have a strong start at home, often scoring early in the game.

With these tendencies, expect plenty of action early on in the match!

Nice vs Montpellier Prediction & Betting Tip

Match Preview

This upcoming Ligue 1 matchup between Nice and Montpellier promises to deliver some exciting football. Nice has been having a solid season, particularly at home, where their attack seems to find an extra gear. Montpellier, on the other hand, has struggled defensively throughout the season, which sets the stage for what could be a high-scoring affair.

Insights

• Nice’s Home Form: Nice has been impressive on their home turf, scoring in every home game this season. Their ability to start matches strongly is a key element, usually taking control early in the game.
• Montpellier’s Defensive Struggles: Montpellier’s defense has been a cause for concern, conceding an average of 2.3 goals per match. This weakness could be further exposed by Nice’s potent attack.
• Head-to-Head: Past encounters suggest that these teams can produce goals. Combine this with their current form, and it seems likely we’ll see some early action on the scoreboard.

Recommendation

We recommend betting on over 2.5 goals in the first half for this fixture.

Key Takeaways

• Strong Starts: Nice typically takes control of games early when playing at home.
• Frequent Concessions: Montpellier’s defense often fails to hold up, especially in the early stages of matches.

With these tendencies in mind, expect plenty of action early on in the match! Betting on over 2.5 goals in the first half could offer attractive returns for this particular encounter.

Nice Team Analysis

Recent Performance

• Always include the last 5 matches
• Recent Form: A concise way of representing a team’s last 5 matches (e.g., WWLWD)
• Write a relevant text about the recent performances
• Include information like {Home team average goals scored}, {Home team clean sheets}, and other relevant information from "Match details"
• If there are penalties, include them in the table
• Use a table that shows {Away team last5 results} in the provided order
  beginning of table example to show {Home team last5 results} (Always include all information in English language) in the following format:
  | Home team | Away team | Result |
  |——————–|——————–|—————-|
  | Le Havre | Nice | 1-3 (Win) |
  | Nice | Lens | 2-0 (Win) |
  | Stade Briochin | Nice | 2-1 (Loss) |
  | Toulouse | Nice | 1-1 (Draw) |
  | Nice | Bodoe/Glimt | 1-1 (Draw) |

Nice has been in solid form lately, highlighted by their recent performances. In their last five matches, they’ve managed two wins, two draws, and just one loss. Despite having only one clean sheet in these games, Nice’s average of 1.60 goals scored per match indicates a consistent attack. Their defense, however, could use some tightening up as they gear up for the home stretch of the season. The team often finds itself scoring early, so watch for that trend to continue.

Nice Key Players

Nice’s rise to 3rd place in Ligue 1 has been driven by several standout performances.
Leading the line is Gaëtan Laborde, their top scorer with 9 goals this season. He’s expected to spearhead the attack, looking to add to his tally.
Key in the midfield will be Baptiste Santamaria, orchestrating play and breaking opponents’ lines with his vision and passing. Jonathan Clauss, playing on the right flank, will offer both defensive stability and attacking thrust.
With Melvin Bard suspended, Mohamed Abdelmonem will step into the defense to partner veteran Dante, bringing experience and solidity at the back.
Expected lineup for Nice:

• Goalkeeper: Marcin Bulka
• Defenders: Moise Bombito, Dante, Mohamed Abdelmonem
• Midfielders: Jonathan Clauss, Baptiste Santamaria, Pablo Rosario, Ali Abdi
• Forwards: Evann Guessand, Mohamed-Ali Cho, Gaëtan Laborde

Key battles to watch include Laborde vs Montpellier’s Benjamin Lecomte in goal, and Clauss vs Montpellier’s Théo Sainte-Luce, which could prove decisive.

Nice Suspensions & Injuries

Nice will have to navigate some challenges due to suspensions and injuries for their upcoming match against Montpellier. Key defender Melvin Bard is suspended, which means Mohamed Abdelmonem will likely step in to cover his position. In terms of injuries, Nice has a couple of crucial absentee players. Terem Moffi is out with a cruciate ligament injury, and he won’t be back until early April. Morgan Sanson is also sidelined with an ankle injury but might return by late February.

These absences could affect Nice’s defensive stability and midfield creativity, but they have depth in the squad to cope with it.

Nice Tactics and Formation

Nice Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-3
• Key Forward: Gaëtan Laborde, who has scored 9 goals this season.
• Midfield Quartet: Jonathan Clauss, Baptiste Santamaria, Pablo Rosario, Ali Abdi
• Defensive Line: Moise Bombito, Dante, Mohamed Abdelmonem

Nice have been effective in their 3-4-3 formation, creating a balanced play between strong defense and fluid attack. With Gaëtan Laborde leading the forward trio, Nice has maintained an average of 1.60 goals per game in their last 5 matches. They tend to score early and maintain control, evidenced by their 100% scoring record at home this season.

Despite absences, the depth of their squad allows them to execute their game plan effectively. Mohamed Abdelmonem stepping in for the suspended Melvin Bard is a testament to their robust defense.

Montpellier Team Analysis

Montpellier Recent Performance

Montpellier finds themselves struggling near the foot of the table, currently in 18th position. Their recent form, however, shows some glimmers of hope with two wins sandwiched between a string of losses.

In their last five games, Montpellier has averaged 1.00 goals but has failed to keep a single clean sheet. They concede 2.3 goals per match, reflecting their defensive vulnerabilities. The squad has struggled to maintain consistency, which is vital if they are to climb out of the relegation zone.

Montpellier Key Players

One of Montpellier’s key players is their leading scorer, Arnaud Nordin, who has netted 4 goals this season. Although not prolific, his contributions can be vital, especially in critical moments of the game.
Midfielder Teji Savanier, playing in the attacking midfield role, will be pivotal in orchestrating play and providing scoring opportunities.
Expected lineup for Montpellier:

• Goalkeeper: Benjamin Lecomte
• Defenders: Enzo Tchato, Bamo Meïté, Yaël Mouanga, Théo Sainte-Luce
• Midfielders: Joris Chotard, Rabby Nzingoula, Jordan Ferri, Teji Savanier
• Forwards: Tanguy Coulibaly, Andy Delort

Keep an eye on how these players perform and their individual battles against Nice’s defense, particularly Delort’s faceoff with veteran defender Dante. Their effectiveness could be crucial for Montpellier’s chances.

Montpellier Suspensions & Injuries

Injuries

Suspensions

Montpellier is facing a significant injury list that could affect their performance. With several key defenders like Maksimovic and Jullien out, the team’s defensive stability will be tested. Additionally, Sagnan’s suspension further weakens their backline, putting more pressure on the remaining players to step up against a strong Nice side.

Montpellier Tactics and Formation

Montpellier Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Andy Delort
• Midfield Trio: Joris Chotard, Rabby Nzingoula, Jordan Ferri
• Defensive Weakness: Conceded in all last five matches.
• Notable Strategy: Most goals scored in the 76-90 minute interval.

Montpellier are likely to adopt a 4-3-3 formation under coach Jean-Louis Gasset. The forward line will be led by Andy Delort, who will need support from the midfield trio of Joris Chotard, Rabby Nzingoula, and Jordan Ferri.

With key defenders injured, defensive solidity will be a challenge, especially considering they’ve failed to maintain a clean sheet in their last five outings. They do, however, possess a late-game scoring threat, often finding the net in the final 15 minutes of matches.

Nice vs Montpellier Head-to-Head Statistics

Here’s a snapshot of the last five encounters between Nice and Montpellier:

Nice have generally had the upper hand in these matchups, securing two wins, including a convincing 4-1 victory. Montpellier managed just one win in a closely contested 2-1 match. The most recent encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, demonstrating that both sides can pose a challenge to each other.

Odds accurate as of 21/02/2025 16:16, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.