European hopefuls Lille host relegation contenders Montpellier in what is a crucial clash for both teams as they bid to claim all three points at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Saturday, 8 March.
View our predictions below.
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Lille vs Montpellier predictions: Lille clean sheet victory on the cards
Key stats
- Lille have lost two of their last five Ligue 1 matches.
- They have scored in each of their last 37 home league games (76 goals).
- Montpellier have lost each of their last five Ligue 1 games.
- La Paillade have scored a league-low 21 goals and conceded a league-high 58 goals.
Correct score prediction: Lille 2-0 Montpellier
Sitting in fifth place, Lille have a fair chance of claiming a European spot next season, following their 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg. Meanwhile, Jean-Louis Gasset’s side have struggled to get on their feet this campaign – now losing five on the trot for the first time since March 2004. Morale is low in the visiting camp, and another defeat is very likely for Montpellier.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Lillois the overwhelming favourites
- HOME: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.4%
- DRAW: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.8%
- AWAY: 6/1 (7.00) – 14.2%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Lille were hammered 4-1 by Paris Saint-Germain in their last Ligue 1 outing, but came back strong to hold Dortmind to a draw in the UCL knockouts. They are, however, expected to resume their winning ways, with a whopping 71.4% probability of success backing them.
Like the bookies, we expect Montpellier to struggle in this contest against a team playing in Europe, backed by miniscule odds of 6/1 (7.00), giving them a 14.2% probability of returning down south with a victory.
You can find all our predictions for today’s games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Lille's dominance set to continue?
Bruno Genesio’s men are undefeated in their last 13 league H2Hs (W8, D5) dating back to 2017. However, the two have played back-to-back draws in Ligue 1, but a third successive such result seems unlikely.
France Ligue 1 01/12/24
Montpellier
Lille
France Ligue 1 28/01/24
Montpellier
Lille
France Ligue 1 03/09/23
Lille
Montpellier
France Ligue 1 16/04/23
Lille
Montpellier
France Ligue 1 04/09/22
Montpellier
Lille
Lille preview: Keeping pace with the top four
With only two teams beating Lille at home this term, Genesio will be confident of a positive result, although he will not rely upon the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Edon Zhegrova, Osame Sahraoui and Tiago Santos.
Predicted lineup: Chevalier (GK), Ismaily, Ribeiro, Diakite, Meunier, Mukau, Andre, Gomes, Cabella, Haraldsson, David.
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
L
Brest
2
Lille
0
France Ligue 1 04/05/25
D
Marseille
1
Lille
1
France Ligue 1 27/04/25
W
Angers
0
Lille
2
France Ligue 1 20/04/25
W
Auxerre
1
Lille
3
France Ligue 1 12/04/25
W
Toulouse
1
Lille
2
Montpellier preview: No away clean sheet this season
As one of the three teams without an away clean sheet this season, a visit up north doesn’t look optimistic. Plus, Gasset has a long injury list to deal with: Khalil Fayad, Axel Gueguin, Stefan Dzodic, Yanis Issoufou, Nikola Maksimovic, Othmane Maamma, Becir Omragic and Issiaga Sylla.
Predicted lineup: Lecomte (GK), Mbiayi, Kouyate, Sagnan, Saint-Luce, Nzingoula, Chotard, Ferri, Nordin, Khazri, Coulibaly
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
L
PSG
4
Montpellier
1
France Ligue 1 04/05/25
L
Brest
1
Montpellier
0
France Ligue 1 27/04/25
D
Reims
0
Montpellier
0
France Ligue 1 19/04/25
L
Marseille
5
Montpellier
1
France Ligue 1 13/04/25
L
Angers
2
Montpellier
0
Player to watch: Jonathan David
David is Ligue 1’s third highest goal scorer with 13 goals, with two of those strikes coming in the reverse fixture.
Expect the Canadian to take full advantage of Montpellier’s poor defence this time around, and add to his growing tally as he looks to keep pace with Mason Greenwood and Ousmane Dembele.