16 October 2021, 10:05 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Ligue 1 fixture between Montpellier and RC Lens kicks off at 16:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, October 17 at the Stade de la Mosson. Referee Florent Batta will be in charge for this game while Gilles Lang and Laurent Coniglio will be assisting. The fourth official will be Floris Aubin, while Thomas Leonard will be tucked away in the VAR room.
Preview Montpellier Ligue 1, Oct 17, 2021
Preview Montpellier returns after the 1-1 draw against Strasbourg on Matchday 9, Saturday, October 2nd. Despite the scoreline, it was a remarkable game that saw a combined total of 18 shots taken, with 7 on target. An exquisite left-footed volley from outside the box by Florent Mollet (12’) put Montpellier in the lead. But another fine effort from Kévin Gameiro (28’) leveled the score-line minutes after the goal, leaving both sides without a way through. It was the third draw for Montpellier: WDDLD, and it leaves the club in 13th place, having picked up 10 points after 2W, 4D, & 3L. On the numbers, Montpellier have a goal ratio of 1.78 goals per game after a haul of 16 goals in nine Ligue 1 games. However, the club has been poor at the back, letting in a tally of 16 goals. With the unimpressive numbers in defense, picking up a win against RC Lens will remain a huge challenge, considering the opposition is in fantastic form. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Valère Germain in attack could be seen from Olivier Dall’Oglio against Lens on Sunday. Germain has three goals for Montpellier and will be on the hunt for the fourth when Lens comes calling at the Stade de la Mosson.
Preview Lens Ligue 1, Oct 17, 2021
Preview Meanwhile, second-placed Lens have 18 points from 5W, 3D, & 1L following the 2-0 win over Reims before the break. A remarkable run of form leaves Lens with four victories in five games: WWLWW ahead of this Sunday's Matchday 10 fixture against Montpellier. The club has an impressive haul of 16 goals after just nine Ligue 1 games. An average of 1.78 goals per game. However, Sang et Or have conceded 10 goals so far over the length of the current season, and have a goal difference of +6. This leaves Lens with an average of 1.11 goals conceded per match. On Matchday 9, Franck Haise went ahead with a three-man defense in the shape of a 3—4—3 formation, leaving Arnaud Kalimuendo, who bagged the brace in the game against Reims, as the cutting knife in attack. A similar shape with the same personnel could be seen again on Sunday when Lens takes on Montpellier.