Montpellier vs Nimes Predictions

Many tipped Nîmes to fall out of the league this season without a trace and it certainly looked that way after they lost their fist two matches but they have gone unbeaten in their four since and will be a real problem for Montpellier to deal with here. They currently sit an extremely respectable 11th place and they have achieved this by sticking to the ideology that got them a ninth place finish last year. 

Bernard Blaquart’s men like to play in an all-out-attack style which has seen them score and concede seven goals. They currently have the fifth best stats for chance creation with an xG of 8.11 but they have also conceded the third most chances with an xGA of 10.52 after six matches. However, we haven’t really seen this weak defence in recent weeks as they have kept three clean sheets on the bounce. Toulouse, Brest and Dijon aren’t exactly the most illustrious opponents but they will be happy with the shutouts nonetheless.

Montpellier drew with Marseille 1-1 at the weekend but la Paillade deserved nothing from the match as they only managed three shots adding up to an xG of 0.10. It was an extremely poor attacking display from a Montpellier side that impressed so much in the week before against Nice when they created an xG of 2.22. 

Montpellier have been very attacking this season but with last year’s key strikers Gaëtan Laborde and Andy Delort missing seven ‘big chances’ between them, they have only scored five times so far. The Stade de la Mosson has been a fortress for Montpellier in recent times though with them losing just four of their last 22 matches at home. 

As much as Montpellier have been good when playing at home, they have kept just two clean sheets in their last eleven games at the Stade de la Mosson and with Nîmes creating so much at the moment, we’re expecting the Crocodiles to score. Montpellier have scored in twelve of their last 13 home games though so we’re backing both teams to score. Nîmes have impressed in recent weeks but with them winless in their last four away games, we’re expecting Montpellier to win 2-1.