MX23RW : Friday, March 29 07:43:13| >> :600:1097877:1097877:
[monks data]
Clermont Foot
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 36
May 8, 2022 at 2pm UK
Stade Gabriel Montpied
Montpellier

Clermont
2 - 1
Montpellier

Rashani (4'), Bayo (69' pen.)
Abdul Samed (35'), Gastien (60')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Chotard (32')
Mollet (24'), Dall'Oglio (25'), Souquet (71'), Leroy (74'), Chotard (74')

Preview: Clermont vs. Montpellier HSC - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Clermont and Montpellier HSC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Clermont will be looking for all three points to increase their survival chances when they welcome Montpellier HSC to Stade Gabriel Montpied on Sunday afternoon.

As the Ligue 1 campaign enters its final three weeks, the hosts find themselves 17th in the table, just two points above the relegation playoff spot, but they will be facing a side with little to play for.


Match preview

Clermont's Yohann Magnin celebrates their first goal scored by Jodel Dossou on April 9, 2022© Reuters

Clermont's win over fellow relegation candidates Troyes a fortnight ago looked like an important moment in the fight for survival, but since then things have changed once again.

ESTAC's win last time out moved them up to 14th, whilst Clermont were unable to repeat their feat of rescuing a point against an opponent with 10 men.

Les Lanciers came back from 2-0 down against Angers the week before, but were not able to take advantage of an early straight red card for Romain Del Castillo during their meeting with Brest.

Two quick-fire goals from Lilian Brassier and Steve Mounie in the space of three second-half minutes saw Pascal Gastien's side blow a good opportunity to move away from danger.

Whilst Bordeaux in 19th are six points back and probably out of touch, Clermont continue to hover just one place and two points above the relegation playoff spot and just one more swing of the pendulum is all it would take.

Olivier Dall'Oglio, now in charge of Montpellier, pictured in March 2021© Reuters

They will be presented with another opportunity this weekend at least, not through a team with 10 men - though that could of course be the case again - but a team with very little left to play for this season.

The reason Montpellier have nothing to play for is their very poor form in recent months.

At the turn of the year, La Paillade were eyeing up a continental adventure next season, sat in fifth and only behind Rennes on goal difference.

The wheels gradually fell off that charge, though, and a run of six games without a win - and only one in their last 10 - has seen Olivier Dall'Oglio's side drop all the way to 13th.

Their only battle in the final three weeks will be with Reims for 12th, but after the aspirations they held just a few months back, that will likely not feel like a battle worth fighting at all.

Clermont Ligue 1 form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • L

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • D


Team News

Clermont coach Pascal Gastien on February 6, 2022© Reuters

Despite their loss at the weekend, there are unlikely to be too many changes for Clermont, especially considering Cedric Houtoundji and Jason Berthomier remain injury doubts.

That would see the hosts line up in a 4-3-3 setup, with Mohammed Bayo leading the line, flanked by Elbasan Rashani and Lucas Da Cunha.

Montpellier have a few more injury worries than their opponents. Remy Cabella will miss out with a hamstring issue, joining captain and talisman Teji Savanier and first-choice goalkeeper Jonas Omlin in the treatment room.

Jordan Ferri is back in training but does not look likely to be ready in time - certainly not for the full 90 anyway - and Mihailo Ristic is also a doubt, but Joris Chotard is back to full fitness.

Clermont possible starting lineup:
Djoco; Zedadka, Billong, Ogier, N'Simba; Magnin, Gastien, Samed; Rashani, Da Cunha; Bayo

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Bertaud; Esteve, Cozza, Sakho; Souquet, Leroy, Chotard, Oyongo; Mavididi, Mollet, Wahi


SM words green background

We say: Clermont 1-1 Montpellier HSC

As mentioned, it is the hosts with infinitely more to play for than the visitors. However, Montpellier have a knack for not getting beaten by those towards the bottom of the table - even when they are two goals down with 10 minutes remaining - so we are going with the draw for this one.




Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats, suggests the most likely outcome of this match is a Clermont win with a probability of 47.61%. A win for Montpellier HSC has a probability of 27.61% and a draw has a probability of 24.8%.

The most likely scoreline is Clermont 1-1 Montpellier HSC with a probability of 11.74% and the second most likely scoreline is Clermont 1-0 Montpellier HSC with a probability of 10.13%.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data



ID:485154:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10254:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Clermont vs Montpellier

Clermont
42.1%
Draw
31.6%
Montpellier HSC
26.3%
19
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Marseille's Dimitri Payet celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 14, 2022
Read Next:
Sunday's Ligue 1 predictions including Marseille vs. Lyon
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG26178162233959
2Brest26138536201647
3MonacoMonaco26137647361146
4Lille261110537231443
5Nice2612772720743
6Lens2612683527842
7Marseille26109740281239
8Rennes2610974031939
9Reims26115103435-138
10Lyon26104123040-1034
11Toulouse2678112936-729
12StrasbourgStrasbourg2678112839-1129
13Le HavreLe Havre2669112633-727
14Montpellier HSCMontpellier2669113140-926
15Lorient2668123549-1426
16NantesNantes2674152441-1725
17Metz2665152339-1623
18Clermont2648141943-2420


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!