Ligue One football is back this weekend with another full slate of fixtures from one of the most underrated top flights in Europe. There are clubs up and down France’s top tier that will feel like they have a real point to prove as we continue on through the end of October. Today, we’ll be taking a look at what should be an entertaining clash between Montpellier and Toulouse.
Montpellier Form GuideMontpellier have done some memorable things over the course of the last decade or so, establishing themselves as one of the most unpredictable clubs to watch in France. In equal measure, though, they’re coming off the back of a campaign that they’d rather forget - and we’re putting that very lightly. They need to mix things up if they want to climb back into European contention.
Following a lose to Lille at the start of September, Montpellier put together two draws against Strasbourg and Rennes. They proceeded to bounce Lorient off the floor in a 3-0 win, but they struggled away at Nantes in an unsatisfying 2-0 defeat.
Toulouse Form GuideToulouse finished last season with a pretty below-par spot in the Ligue 1 table but alongside that, they were also able to capture the Coupe de France trophy in convincing fashion. That means they have European football to focus on from this month onwards but for the time being, they’ll want to build up some sustainability and credibility in French football’s top tier.
After beating Metz, Toulouse edged past LASK 1-0 in the Europa League. They were then held to a ponit by both Brest and Reims, and on their trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, they were humbled in a 5-1 defeat.
Match PredictionWe’re dealing with two clubs that have the potential to kick on and do much better things than they currently are, but we aren’t so sure they’ve got the stomach for it just yet - or the confidence. After a competitive game, we think this will end in a draw.
