Montpellier was stunned by Evian last week, but they can go top of the league again if things go their way elsewhere and they defeat Olympique Lyonnais. Lyon have had a very up-and-down season in both Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League, but they are still in a position to challenge for the league title and they have a forward line that can create goals at any time.
Montpellier Vs. Lyon, 2012 Ligue 1, Week 20: A Massive Top-Four Clash
Montpellier and Lyon fight to stay in the title race and capture UEFA Champions League places when they do battle on Saturday.
Though they are not a negative team by any stretch of the imagination, Montpellier have shown a keen ability to sit on leads and play for draws under manager Rene Girard. Though they were involved in a 4-2 goal-fest last week against Evian, expect this match to be a bit tighter and lower scoring. This will not be a negative low-scoring game, but an intelligent tactical low-scoring game. Unless I’m completely wrong and it isn’t low-scoring at all.
Montpellier will lean heavily on striker and leading scorer Olivier Giroud with a number of their best players gone to the African Cup of Nations. Lyon will be without the suspended Mouhamadou Dabo, which could be a big blow considering the questionable health of their back line at present.
Montpellier vs. Lyon
Game Date/Time: Saturday, January 14, 3:00 p.m. ET, 9:00 p.m. local
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France
TV/Online: FOXSoccer.tv (USA), Eurosport World (Canada)
For more on Les Gones, check out The Offside Olympique Lyonnais.
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