St-Etienne should comfortably mute Montpellier in Ligue 1 encounter

Ligue 1
7.45pm, Friday

Montpellier have the second-best defensive record in Ligue 1 this season, but St-Etienne are well poised to extend their unbeaten run to 13 matches with victory at the Stade de la Mosson.

The visitors are sixth in Ligue 1, having won four of their last five, and are bidding to pip the likes of Nice in the race for the last Europa League qualifying spot.

Robert Beric, Jonathan Bamba and Remy Cabella have 19 goals and 13 assists between them this campaign and should consign Michel Der Zakarian’s side to a third successive defeat.

Montpellier have demonstrated defensive vulnerabilities with just one clean sheet in their last seven league encounters and will be put to the test by a St-Etienne front line that stretches opposition defences with width and pace.

The hosts, who have netted just once in their last three, are often short of ideas beyond top scorer Giovanni Sio and could also be frustrated by a St-Etienne side with three clean sheets in their previous five matches.

Montpellier’s last eight home matches in all competitions have seen both teams score but the visitors can net without reply in this game to secure another three points.

Recommendation
St-Etienne to win to nil
1pt 4-1 general

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