Lorient vs Montpellier Prediction 01.10.2023

• Competition: France - Ligue 1
• Date: Sunday, 1st, October 2023
• Kickoff: 16:05 UTC +1 / 17.05 CEST
• Venue: Stade du Moustoir (Lorient)

Sunday's matchup between Lorient and Montpellier at the Stade du Moustoir is pivotal as both teams seek to distance themselves from the perilous zone in the seventh week of French Ligue 1.

During the summer transfer window, Lorient faced the departure of several key players, including last season's top scorer Terem Moffi (18G, 3A), raising concerns about their potential struggle in the lower half of the table. The start of the season was promising for the Brittany side as they held reigning champions PSG to a goalless draw (0-0) and shared points with Nice (1-1) in the opening two matches. Their third-week performance was nothing short of spectacular, as they thrashed LOSC Lille with an impressive 4-1 victory. Sadly, after that bright start, Les Merlus have plummeted in form, managing only one point from their last three Ligue 1 matches (D1, L2). As a result, Regis Le Bris's team finds themselves with just six points, hovering just above the relegation zone.

On the other hand, Montpellier might be considered one of the most stable members of Ligue 1, having been part of the elite tier of French football since the 2009/10 season. However, in recent years, they have noticeably regressed. They were serious contenders for European positions just a couple of seasons ago, but now, the players in navy-blue jerseys must come to terms with their position in the lower half of the league standings. Like their Sunday rivals, Lorient, La Paillade has endured an equally lackluster start to the French top-flight season, securing six points from as many matches. Thanks to their favorable goal difference compared to Lorient and Toulouse, Montpellier finds themselves above the relegation zone.

Lorient vs Montpellier Betting Tips: BTTS

Expect a showdown packed with goals, and it's not just one-sided. Defensive lapses are keeping manager Regis Le Bris up at night, especially when you consider that his team has managed to keep a clean sheet only once in the past 14 matches. Not to be overlooked is the alarming 12 goals allowed from the first six Ligue 1 fixtures. Thanks to their leaky defense and prolific attack, Les Merlus have become synonymous with entertaining football in Ligue 1. In their last three league fixtures alone, an astonishing 15 goals have been netted, including a nail-biting 3-5 loss to Nantes in their most recent clash.

At the same time, Monpellier's defense has also been far from reliable, as they secured their first clean sheet of the season in a goalless draw against Rennes last weekend. Furthermore, it's essential not to forget that La Paillade conceded two or more goals in half of their opening six fixtures in the French championship, which is yet another indicator that their defensive situation is completely out of control. In a more positive light, Zakarian's side has exhibited exceptional offensive capabilities during their recent travels, registering 2+ goals in six out of the past seven matches played away from home.

Both teams, despite possessing undeniable attacking potential, share a common woe - a leaky defense. That's precisely why we believe the nets won't remain undisturbed, especially considering that both sides will be chasing all three points.