Montpellier‘s incredible demise looks set to be confirmed this weekend, as anything but a win against Reims will seal their relegation from Ligue 1. La Paillade could be demoted before kick-off should Le Havre or Saint-Étienne avoid defeat earlier, but it’s an inevitable outcome nonetheless after a disastrous streak of 11 successive league defeats, nine of which came by multi-goal margins.
Strasbourg vs Nice – Both Teams To Score Affair – Game Preview, Key Stats, Betting Predictions.
Montpellier’s Crisis:
Form Overview:
Montpellier are in freefall, and relegation looks inevitable. They have lost 11 consecutive Ligue 1 matches, with nine of those defeats by at least a two-goal margin. Their most recent performance — a 5-1 hammering by Marseille — highlighted both their defensive frailty and lack of attacking threat.
Home Struggles:
Playing at home offers no comfort to Montpellier. They have lost their last five home matches in Ligue 1, and notably, they have failed to score in the last three at Stade de la Mosson. They risk setting an unwanted club record by going four straight home games without a goal — a feat they last “achieved” during their relegation season in 2004.
Squad Issues:
Injuries have ravaged their squad: regular defenders such as Nicolas Pays and Othmane Maamma are ruled out, and several others (Maksimovic, Jullien, Tchato, Sagnan) are doubtful. Even attacking options like Andy Delort and Yanis Issoufou are question marks, severely weakening their chances at both ends of the pitch.
Reims’ Upward Momentum:
Form Overview:
Since Samba Diawara’s breakthrough win over Marseille at the end of March, Reims have won three of their last four Ligue 1 matches, with the only blemish a narrow 1-0 loss to Strasbourg. They are clearly a team trending upwards, fighting hard to secure safety.
Away Strength:
Reims have grown increasingly tough to beat on the road. They have avoided defeat in each of their last five visits to Montpellier (W3, D2) and are unbeaten in their last two away Ligue 1 matches — including an impressive 2-0 win at Lens.
Defensive Solidity:
Reims’ recent defensive improvements have been vital. They have kept back-to-back clean sheets against Lens and Toulouse, and another shutout would give them three consecutive away clean sheets in Ligue 1 for just the third time this century. Montpellier’s attacking woes make this even more likely.
Strasbourg vs Nice Head-to-Head Edge:
- Reims have lost just two of the last 11 top-flight meetings with Montpellier (W5, D4).
- They dominated the earlier meeting this season, winning 4-2 thanks to goals from Munetsi, Nakamura, Diakite, and Teuma.
- Reims are unbeaten at Montpellier since 2018 (W3, D2 at Stade de la Mosson).
Motivation and Psychological Factors:
Montpellier: Practically relegated already, their motivation is at rock-bottom. Even a win might not be enough to stave off mathematical relegation, depending on other results earlier in the weekend.
Reims: They are still fighting for survival and a Coupe de France final appearance against PSG looms. Confidence and urgency are on their side, making them far more likely to approach this match with energy and focus.
Key Players to Watch:
Junya Itō (Reims): Ligue 1’s leader for chances created (81). While he has yet to register a goal involvement against Montpellier, his creative influence will be crucial.
Téji Savanier (Montpellier): Their most talented player, but heavily isolated in a team that’s collapsing defensively and mentally.
Strasbourg vs Nice – Final Verdict:
All indicators point heavily in Reims’ favor — superior form, historical dominance in H2H matches, vastly better defensive organization, and far greater motivation. Montpellier’s injury-hit, demoralized squad is unlikely to mount any significant resistance. Given the gap in current form, mentality, and quality, Reims to Win is the clear prediction for this match. Prediction: Reims to Win
