Southampton continue their Premier League preparations against Ligue 1 side Montpellier in Spain this weekend.
The Saints clinched promotion back to the top flight of English football in the Championship play-off final against Leeds, while Montpellier will be looking for an improvement on last season's 12th-place finish in Ligue 1.
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Southampton vs Montpellier prediction: Both teams set to score on Saturday?
Key Stats
- Both teams have scored in five of Montpellier's last six outings.
- Over 2.5 goals have been produced in four of Southampton's last six fixtures.
- Four of Montpellier's last six matches have ended with at least three goals scored.
Correct score prediction: Southampton 2-2 Montpellier
The Saints have scored at least two goals in four of their last six matches, while Montpellier have scored two or more goals in four of their last six outings.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Odds not yet available
- HOME: N/A
- DRAW: N/A
- AWAY: N/A
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Pre-season friendlies are always tough to predict. both teams are likely to play a starting lineup that is a mix of regular first-teamers and some backup players with changes being made at halftime and through the second 45.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting
Southampton and Montpellier make history this weekend as the pair prepare for their first-ever encounter.
Southampton preview: Back in the Premier League
Southampton claimed a 1-0 win in the Championship play-off final against Leeds back in May to earn their place back in the Premier League.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes are the two biggest signings for the Saints so far this summer, while Yukinari Sugawara, Nathan Wood, Ronnie Edwards, Charlie Taylor, Adam Lallana and Rento Takaoka
have also joined the club.
Lyanco, Duje Caleta-Car, Romain Perraud, Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong have also left the club.
Predicted lineup: McCarthy (GK), Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Stewart, Aribo, Alcaraz, Smallbone, Downes & Lallana
England Premier League 30/09/24
L
Bournemouth
3
Southampton
1
England Premier League 21/09/24
D
Ipswich
1
Southampton
1
England EFL Cup 17/09/24
W
Everton
1 (5)
Southampton
1 (6)
England Premier League 14/09/24
L
Man Utd
3
Southampton
0
England Premier League 31/08/24
L
Brentford
3
Southampton
1
Montpellier preview: Looking to improve upon average campaign
Montpellier manager Michel Der Zakarian will be looking to improve on the club's 12th-place finish from last season but the club haven't been very active in the transfer market so far this summer.
Centre-back Mexime Esteve has left the club on a permanent deal after impressing on loan at Burnley, while midfielder Leo Leroy has joined Swiss side Basel and Sacha Delaye has moved to Austria.
Predicted lineup: Bertaud (GK), Jullien, Kouyaté, Sagnan, Omeragić, Mincarelli, Coulibaly, Chotard, Fayad, Adams & Maamma
France Ligue 1 28/09/24
L
Monaco
2
Montpellier
1
France Ligue 1 22/09/24
W
Auxerre
2
Montpellier
3
France Ligue 1 15/09/24
L
Rennes
3
Montpellier
0
France Ligue 1 31/08/24
L
Nantes
3
Montpellier
1
France Ligue 1 23/08/24
L
PSG
6
Montpellier
0
Player to watch – Flynn Downes
Flynn Downes has signed a permanent deal with the Saints this summer after impressing on loan last season.
Downes played 33 times in Southampton's successful bid to earn promotion back to the Premier League, chipping in with two goals along the way.
Made a permanent move to St Mary's this summer
The defensive midfielder has made his way through the leagues with Ipswich, Swansea and West Ham but after failing to impress David Moyes, the 25-year-old had to drop back down to the Championship for regular football.
West Ham's loss proved to be Southampton's gain and Downes is likely to play a key role in the Saints' bid to avoid relegation this season.
