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Montpellier hosts Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Marseille in the first match of the 20th round in France.
Hosts are having an ordinary season … really as ordinary and mediocre as it gets: 7 wins, 5 draws, 7 losses, sitting midtable on the 10th place. Montpellier is not an easy team to play against, they have a good balance and are a dangerous side to play on the road … they won 5 of 9 at home this season. Hosts are in decent form and are coming after two matches vs. PSG … first a great 0-0 draw in Paris, followed by a 3-0 defeat at home in the Cup. Team news say that Saihi and Tiene are out (African Cup of Nations duty) and Martin is a slight doubt.
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Marseille has surprised everybody this season and the visitors are thinking for sure that they can win the title. Bielsa made OM look like a real team, not just individualities and their offensive flow of football is very nice to watch. Marseille however was a little shaky in form recently, specially away from home, where they won less than 50% of their matches this season. OM lost to Grenoble in the Cup in the last game. For today, Marseille team news say that the visitors will not have N’Doumbou, Andre Ayew, N’Koulou, Alessandrini and probably Barrada will also be unavailable.
I don’t expect an easy game for Marseille … Montpellier is a resilient team and proved they can challenge even the best teams in Ligue 1 on their day. I think the hosts will start with a lot of passion and fighting spirit, while Marseille will be content to play a possession game of football, trying to find an opening. A draw at half time is my choice for a bet here, probably 0-0 but I stick with the safer option. Marseille could get a narrow win in the end when Montpellier tires, but as I said my tips will be a draw at half time. Correct score prediction: Montpellier – Marseille 0-1 (0-0 half time).
Pick: Half Time Draw
Odds: 2.10 @ Bet365
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 7.7
Event date: 9 January
