What: France Ligue 1
Who: Montpellier vs Lille
When: Sunday 13th May, 2012, at 20:00 UK Time
Where: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France
Evian Dispute Fails to Derail Title Challenge
The expected meltdown in the Montpellier ranks has not happened this season as their unlikely title charge has gathered pace, but Rene Girard’s men have come mightily close of late. In their second last game, having seen Paris Saint-Germain already drop points before they took on Evian, Montpellier drew 2-2. More than that, the game saw Younes Belhanda sent off after an extraordinary row over a penalty awarded in the last minute. Belhanda and top scorer Olivier Giroud, who usually rotate penalty duties, had a falling out after the game after Giroud opted to let Souleymane Camara take, and subsequently miss, what could prove a decisive spot-kick with the scores level.
Belhanda now misses the rest of the season, which is a huge blow, so crucial has he been, particularly in the second half of a remarkable campaign. It has been in the second half of this season that, rather than see the side’s title charge fade, Montpellier have got better and better, with Belhanda superb as they took the initiative recently and built up a lead over PSG.
An impressive 2-0 win at Rennes last week showed this young team, inexperienced players competing for the first title in Montpellier’s history, have more composure and know-how than could be expected. Montpellier are at least taking the championship to the final day of the season, and could win this weekend if they beat Lille, and PSG cannot match their result against Rennes. For a team who have spent so little, built on talented youngsters, it is a remarkable situation.
An Unlikely Revival
Lille have looked out of the title race for much of this season. The champions have lacked consistency after selling Gervinho last summer and with Moussa Sow unable to replicate his form of last year before he too was sold; that left them struggling to keep pace with the leaders. However, the signing of Nolan Roux and Eden Hazard’s brilliant form recently have re-ignited their challenge, and the northern side have put together a late surge as both Montpellier and PSG have stumbled. Lille are the team in form, and they are also the only one with the experience of going the distance – and manager Rudi Garcia knows it.
"Now that we’re assured of at least third place, our appetite is growing," said Garcia. "We want to do even better and we’ll give all we’ve got to clinch second place, or even jump right into the lead. What is for sure is that we have what it takes to win in Montpellier.”
Garcia’s confidence is well founded, but the big question mark over Lille is that they only have two games left. However, a win this weekend would put the reigning champions at the very least two points behind PSG going into the final week, with goal difference relatively similar between all three teams. They can at least harbour realistic hopes of an automatic spot in next season’s Champions League, to avoid a playoff with the likes of Udinese or Tottenham Hotspur. Lille are also moving stadium at the start of next season, and retaining their title would be the perfect way to furnish their new home.
Recent form
Montpellier:
Rennes 0-2 Montpellier (07/05; Ligue 1)
Montpellier 2-2 Evian (01/05; Ligue 1)
Toulouse 0-1 Montpellier (27/04; Ligue 1)
Lille:
Lille 3-0 Caen (07/05; Ligue 1)
Nice 0-1 Lille (02/05; Ligue 1)
Lille 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain (29/04; Ligue 1)
Key absences
Montpellier: Jonathan Tinhan (doubt); Younes Belhanda; Marco Estrada
Lille: Dimitri Payet (doubt); Franck Beria
Players to watch
Montpellier – Remy Cabella: Cabella has been a regular name on the Montpellier teamsheet this season, though he has not shone in the same way as Belhanda or Giroud. But the skilful midfielder, in the absence of the Moroccan, is on the shortlist for the Young Player of the Year award and now has the opportunity to make his mark. He performed well at Rennes in Belhanda’s absence, and Montpellier will need some creativity and guile from elsewhere to see them over the line. Cabella has the perfect stage and opportunity to show he can do just that.
Lille – Eden Hazard: No one has been more important to Lille’s recent form than their star man, Hazard, who is on his way out this summer. His form has shown he is intent on leaving with a parting gift to the Lille fans, and his tight control and passing skill have been pivotal of late. The Belgian is also one of only two players in Europe’s top leagues to have in excess of both 15 goals and assists; the other being Lionel Messi. To win away at the league leaders will take a performance by Lille of their very, very best. And that will require Hazard to be performing at his best.
Match Prediction
Lille have not won in Montpellier since the current leaders’ promotion back to Ligue 1, but will fancy their chances of doing so. With Belhanda out, they will hope that Montpellier’s attack is suitably blunted. Camara did his best to atone for his penalty miss with a goal in the win at Rennes at least, but Lille will be a tougher test altogether.
With Nolan Roux and Tulio de Melo both in good form, and ably supplied by the best player in France in Hazard, as well as the ever useful Dimitri Payet, Montpellier’s defenders will have a tough task. La Pallaide have a good defence but they have shown weaknesses this season, exploited superbly by Evian recently. Lille are good in possession and may monopolise the ball, so it would be a surprise if Girard’s men can hold them off for the whole 90 minutes. But whenever Montpellier have been questioned they have found an answer, and in Giroud, Camara and the skill of Cabella, they have enough at home to stay top of the table going into the final day. Montpellier 1-1 Lille.
This Montpellier vs Lille Ligue 1 game is a match not to be missed. Who do you think will win? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.
