Montpellier vs Lens Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Montpellier Herault have struggled throughout the campaign but they have moved off rock-bottom as they now prepare to take on a frustrated but still challenging Lens side this weekend.

Kick-off date/time: Friday 31st January, 2025: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports

How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports

Montpellier Team News: Ferri suspension

Montpellier will be without experienced midfielder Jordan Ferri for this one as he is unavailable due to suspension. They also have some key injury issues, especially in defence, with the absences of Nikola Maksimovic, Christophe Jullien and Lucas Mincarelli. 

Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Lecomte; Tchato, Kouyate, Sagnan, Maamma; Omeragic; Nzingoula, Chotard; Savanier; Al Tamari, Khazri

Unavailable: Maksimovic (Injured), Jullien (Injured), Mincarelli (Injured), Ferri (Suspended)

Questionable: Sylla (Injured), Gueguin (Injured), Ndiaye (Injured)

Lens Team News: No Jhoanner Chavez

Lens have had to sell both Brice Samba and Abdukodir Khusanov in this transfer window, whilst reported interest remains in Andy Diouf and Kevin Danso. As well as uncertainties in the market, they are now without key defender Jhoanner Chavez due to an ankle injury.

Predicted XI (3-4-3): Ryan; Gradit, Sarr, Medina; Frankowski, El Aynaoui, Thomasson, Fulgini; Zaroury, Nzola, Koyalipou

Unavailable: Jhoanner Chavez (Injured), Labeau (Injured), Satriano (Injured)

Questionable: Sotoca (Injured)

Montpellier vs Lens Prediction

Former Ivory Coast boss Jean-Louis Gasset, a boyhood supporter of Montpellier Herault, took charge of Montpellier a couple of months ago. The hosts have improved since the winter break and do come into this one on the back of a surprise 2-1 defeat of Toulouse last weekend to back up a 2-1 defeat of Monaco a couple of weeks ago. They now face a Lens side that, coached by Will Still, edged past Angers by a goal to nil at Stade Bollaert-Delelis last weekend thanks to a second-half winner scored by Poland international Przemyslaw Frankowski. Lens have been difficult to play against but struggled to be fluent throughout the campaign. With Montpellier looking to grind out results, a low-scoring affair seems quite likely for this one.

Montpellier vs Lens Tip: Under 2.5 goals