St Etienne vs Montpellier Predictions

Claude Puel was brought in to do two things: sure up the defence and get back to winning matches. He has so far managed to do one of those things. Saint-Étienne have won four of the seven matches under the new coach but they have done so by virtue of their incredible attacking talents like Denis Bouanga and Wahbi Khazri as opposed to their solid defence. They have scored eight goals in their last four matches but have also conceded six times in this period so the Stade Geoffrey-Guichard is definitely the place for the neutral at the moment.

Puel has struggled to really transform les Verts’ home form since joining as they have already suffered a couple of awful results under the Frenchman. Their 1-1 draw with Ukrainian side Oleksandria in the Europa League was a particularly damning result as they couldn’t even surpass a team sitting 4th in their respective division at the time. This was followed by a 2-2 draw at home to current 15th placed side Amiens so there is still much to prove at the Geoffrey-Guichard. However, their most recent match there was a solid 1-0 victory over Monaco so this shows they are capable of great performances in front of their own fans. 

Montpellier’s form chart this season has been something to behold as they are still to have the same result back-to-back. They have won six and drawn four of their 14 matches so far but consistent failed to build up a head of steam. Their last game was a confident 3-0 win over Toulouse but this came at home where they have been very impressive, on the road it has been a considerably different story.

Montpellier currently sit 3rd if the table was adjudged by home results but they would be 17th based on away form. La Paillade have picked up just three of a possible 18 points on the road this season, losing three and drawing three. Away form has never really been a strong attribute of this Montpellier side as last season they closed out the campaign with just three wins in their final 13 away games and we feel we could see a similar demise here. 

Saint-Étienne haven’t been tremendous at home but they face a Montpellier side seemingly incapable of performing well away from the Stade de la Mosson so we’re edging this one in favour of les Verts. We’re backing this to finish 2-1 to the hosts. Montpellier should get on the scoresheet as the home side have just one clean sheet in their last five but ultimately we see Puel’s men getting the three points.