Montpellier vs Reims Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Montpellier vs Reims on and what time does it start? Montpellier vs Reims will take place on Sunday 27th August, 2023 – 14:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Montpellier vs Reims? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Montpellier vs Reims on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Montpellier vs Reims
Where can I stream Montpellier vs Reims in the UK? If Montpellier vs Reims is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
MONTPELLIER
With Ligue 1 being reduced from 20 to 18 teams this season, Montpellier Herault are one of the batch of mid-table sides that finished last season in underwhelming form to be looking nervously over their shoulder this time around. Armenian boss Michel Der Zakarian is in the Montpellier dugout this season and they have started relatively well.
They will be frustrated to have been held to a 2-2 draw on the opening day of the season against newly-promoted Le Havre but they were the better side in that match and were simply left to rue Samuel Grandsir’s 90th minute equaliser. They followed that up with a 4-1 demolition of Olympique Lyonnais at Parc OL last weekend, going 3-0 up after 66 minutes and then Akor Adams notching his third of the campaign in the 89th minute to seal the rout.
REIMS
Under the management of English-born Will Still, Stade Reims gained popularity on social media last season with a long unbeaten run which saw them move firmly into the top-half before drifting towards the end of the campaign. Over the summer, they have spent a fair bit, especially in relative terms to the rest of the French top-flight, but are having to cover for the loss of Folarin Balogun, who was on loan from Arsenal.
They have added the likes of Joseph Okumu, Keito Nakamura and Mohamed Daramy this summer with their current spending reportedly over £40 million. They began the season with a 2-1 defeat away to Olympique de Marseille, in which they did take an early lead, before comfortably defeating Clermont by two goals to nil last weekend in their most recent outing, with goals coming from Marshall Munetsi and new signing Mohamed Daramy.
THE TEAM NEWS
MONTPELLIER
Michel Der Zakarian remains without key man Theo Sainte-Luce due to injury but should remain unchanged after their demolition of Lyon in their most recent outing, last weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lecomte; Sacko, Jullien, Kouyate, Sylla; Chotard, Ferri; Al-Tamari, Savanier, Nordin; Adams
UNAVAILABLE: Sainte-Luce (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REIMS
Will Still will be without Kenyan defender Joseph Okumu due to injury and they will also be without Moroccan midfielder Amir Richardson with the 21 year-old currently suspended.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Diouf; Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, Wilson-Esbrand; Matusiwa, Atangana; Ito, Munetsi, Nakamura; Diakite
UNAVAILABLE: Richardson (Suspended), Okumu (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Michel Der Zakarian has put together a very impressive looking front four of attackers for Montpellier Herault. With Akor Adams, signed from Lillestrom this summer, leading the line and the likes of Teji Savanier, Mohamed Al-Tamari and Arnaud Nordin in behind, there are plenty of goal scoring options. They now face the big spenders of Stade Reims who have also shown their capability going forward so this one could well be quite an entertaining encounter for the neutral this weekend.
TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS
