In this matchup, we take a look at an exciting encounter between two sides that have just come off the back of a win their last fixtures, Saint Etienne and Montpellier. Saint Etienne’s last routine win against Metz saw them move up to the third position, although they will be expecting tougher opposition in future matches. Montpellier, meanwhile, will try to extend their run of four games unbeaten to break into the top ten, but first, they’ll have to reorganize themselves and not take last weekend’s fortunate win for granted.
Saint Etienne vs. Montpellier
3-Way: 1: Saint Etienne +129; X: +229 Draw; 2: Montpellier +309
Spread -0.5: Saint Etienne +120; Montpellier -128
Total +2: Over -111; Under +100
Saint Etienne
Saint Etienne stormed into a pole position after last weekend’s solid 3:1 home win over bottom of the table Metz, their second win in their last six matches. The home side took the initiative and was the team on top from the off, with winger Remy Cabella coming closest early-on, hitting the post while trying to guide teammate Romain Hamouma’s cross into the corner of the net. Unfortunately for Saint Etienne, and undeservedly so, Metz opened the scoring through a side-footed volley into the corner past goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier, denying him his fifth clean sheet of the season.
It took some time for Saint Etienne to fully recover from going one goal down, as Metz had a great chance to put some daylight between the two sides early in the second half, but the powerful strike was saved. Les Verts snapped back into action with Remy Cabella forcing a good save with a driven shot following a quickly-taken passed free-kick. Then, a scramble from a corner in the 74th minute saw Saint Etienne’s Vincent Pajot sweep the ball through the keeper’s legs after he followed up from Kevin Theophile Catherine’s blocked attempt.
Saint Etienne kept adding on the pressure looking for the winner, and their efforts were rewarded when a penalty was given in the 85th minute, but Bryan Dabo’s spot-kick was well-saved. However, the resulting corner was converted when Dabo redeemed himself heading the ball onto a Metz defender and in. The ten-times French champions were well on their way to a victory, and a well-worked 95th-minute goal by Habib Maiga confirmed that the three points were not going to leave the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Overall it was a quite dominant display from Saint Etienne, retaining 70% possession and having fourteen shots at goal, half of those on target, over the duration of the game. That being said, their first two goals were fortunate and came after scrappy moments of the game, although the third goal was of a high caliber. But we should give credit where it’s due and say that it was a well-earnt three points for Les Verts.
After their first win for nearly a month, Saint Etienne moved up to the third position in Ligue 1, and although they will have to improve on their recent form of two wins, two draws and two losses to maintain that position, their next two fixtures are winnable against Montpellier and Strasbourg.
Manager Oscar Garcia will be without centre-back Florentin Pogba (malleolar), central midfielder Habib Maiga (ankle) and centre-back Loic Perrin (calf) for Friday’s match.
Montpellier
Montpellier was fortunate to come away with a 2:0 home win against Nice last weekend to extend their unbeaten run. It was all Nice in the first half, and they were almost gifted the lead when Montpellier defender Daniel Congré appeared to be confused as to who his teammate’s pass towards the penalty box was intended for. The defender seemingly left the pass for his keeper, but did not communicate that and was nearly punished as the Nice attack stole the ball and were only stopped by an excellent double save by goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte. Nice forced two more excellent saves from the Lecomte and the home side was fortunate to go into half-time with their score-sheet unmarked.
Luckily for Montpellier fans and manager, the players came out with a new impetus and even managed to open the scoring in the 55th minute with an exquisite finish. Forward Stephane Sessegnon picked the ball up between the halfway line and the penalty box, took a couple of touches forward and slammed the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 1:0. Despite the goal, Nice was still well in with a chance in the match and had a few golden opportunities to equalize, but their efforts were futile after Montpellier scored the decisive goal, a counter attack with two substitutes involved; Salomon Sambia setting up teammate Isaac Mbenza, who cut in and curled the ball into the corner of the net.
There is no doubt that the win was a lucky one for Montpellier, retaining just 37% of possession and managing just two shots on target to their opponents ten over the duration of the match. I suppose one positive you could take from the match is that they certainly were not wasteful, but lightning does not strike twice and they won’t be able to rely on luck again for their next match against Saint Etienne.
Although their win was ugly, their overall form is their much prettier sibling and it has taken them to eleventh place, level on points with Angers who are in tenth above. Furthermore, this is the first time they’ve gone four games unbeaten for nearly exactly a year, after that run they only won two of their next ten matches, so they can’t afford to get complacent this time around and will have to keep grinding out their wins like in their last match.
Manager Michel Der Zakarian will have a full squad selection for Friday’s match.
Saint Etienne vs. Montpellier – MATCH PREDICTION
On paper, Saint Etienne have the slightly better squad, although their recent form has not been as strong as Montpellier’s. Overall, however, Saint Etienne have looked the much better side this campaign and I do believe that they will win. Also, although Montpellier won 2:1 at home in the last fixture between two sides, Saint Etienne have won their previous eight encounters. Saying that, Montpellier’s matches are generally low-scoring and I think they will try to keep their opponents at bay as much as they can, therefore I would bet on a Saint Etienne win with the possible addition of few goals being scored.
MY PICK: Saint Etienne to WIN (+129)
Additional Pick: Over 2 goals (-111)
