Our prediction for this Ligue 1 match:
Lille
Match Time & Date:
16/04/2023
13:00
Prediction: 2-0
Montpellier
Lille will look to recover from a shocking 1-0 loss to Angers when they welcome Montpellier to their Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Matchday 31. Les Dogues are eyeing their tenth home win of the process, but they will have to prove their worth on the field. All Edon Zhegrova, Adam Ounas, Tiago Djalo, and Ismaily are sidelined with injuries, while there are no suspended players in the home team. As always, Canada centre-forward David will lead the line for the hosts.
La Paillade, on the other hand, have little to play for in the season finale as they are stuck in the middle of the table. In their last meeting at the venue Lille defeated Montpellier 2-1, and, taking everything into account, we predict that history is going to repeat itself. All Kouyate, Sainte-Luce, Maouassa, Esteve, Makouana, and Bertaud miss out with injuries for the visiting side.
Highlighted Player (Jose Fonte):
Born in Penafiel in 1983, Jose Miguel Da Rocha Fonte spent his early career in the lower divisions of the Portugal’s league system, and while he did join giants Benfica in 2006, he never made a single league appearance for the Eagles.
The loan spell with Crystal Palace proved crucial for the towering defender as he later secured a permanent move to Selhurst Park, performing well in three Championship campaigns. Fonte then surprised everyone when he joined League One side Southampton, but that would prove to be the best decision he has ever made, as he helped the Saints return to the Premier League before establishing himself as one of the leading central defenders in the elite division.
Rated for his aerial ability, but also quite capable on the ground, Jose Fonte even caught the eye of England’s top clubs, although a big club move never materialised for him. The late bloomer eventually played himself into the first team plans of Portugal coach Fernando Santos, making his Selecao debut at the age of 30.
Highlighted Team (Montpellier):
Over the years Montpellier have established themselves as a mid-table side in French Ligue 1. Montpellier are considered one of the youngest clubs in France as they were founded in 1974, but it has to be noted that a number of high-profile footballers played for the club in the past. French football legend Laurent Blanc played for Montpellier from 1981-1993 and he scored 76 goals in 24 appearances in the league for the club. Eric Cantona, Roger Milla, Carlos Valderama and Olivier Giroud played in Montpellier’s colors as well, but Pascal Baills is the player with most appearances for the club (429).
La Paillade did remarkably well to win the Ligue 1 trophy in 2012 and that is considered the club’s biggest success. Montpellier won Coupe de France on two occasions (1929, 1990), with the team beating FC Sete and FC Paris respectively in the title games. The team welcome their rivals at Stade de la Mosson and the capacity of the stadium is 32.900. In 1999 Montpellier won the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
