Reims vs Montpellier
17th December 1745hrs
Football – France – Coupe de la Ligue
Pick Reims
Bookmaker Sportingbet
Odds: 7/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Monday 16 December)
The first of the last-16 Coupe de la Ligue ties take place on Tuesday. Reims are in good form in Ligue 1 at the moment and will be looking to make home advantage count when hosting a Montpellier side who have lost their last two.
Coupe de la Ligue Betting at Sportingbet
Reims Preview – Are Reims set to continue their good form and progress into the quarter-finals of this competition?
Following a mid-table finish in Ligue 1 last season, Reims would have been keen for another positive campaign this time around. David Guoin’s team have only lost one of their last 10 games – a 2-0 defeat away to Nice at the beginning of November. Since then Reims have drawn three and won tw0, with their wins coming at home to St Etienne and away to Toulouse at the weekend. Their away form has been particularly impressive with four wins and a draw from eight matches. It’s a key reason as to why they find themselves in the top six and in the hunt for a European spot.
Guoin will be hoping that his team can continue that form into the cup competition. That is something that has been missing for the club in recent years, whether it be this cup or in the Coupe de France. A 2-1 score against Bourg-en-Brasse in the previous round probably doesn’t do their dominance justice but it was a safe passage through. It’s another home time as they look to make it beyond this stage for the first time in over a decade. That was way back in 2007 when reaching the semi-finals, eventually eliminated by Bordeaux.
Montpellier Preview – Can Montpellier bounce back to form and book their place in the last eight?
Montpellier come into this game on the back of two consecutive defeats in the league. It’s the first time that has happened since the beginning of February which provides an indication of how resilient this team are. And, considering those reverses came against PSG and Lille (two of the current top three) there will not be too much despondency on their behalf. The losses have seen Montpellier slip into the bottom half, however, in what is a really congested part of the table. Nevertheless, they are only three points behind their opponents on Tuesday and remain in the hunt for the European places, themselves.
It was one of the ties of the round last time out as Montpellier shared five goals with Nancy. That match, at the end of October, was during a run of seven games without defeat for them – a run sparked by losing 1-0 away to Reims in Ligue 1. Like their rivals tomorrow, this is competition that Montpellier will feel they are capable of better in. They have only made it into the quarter finals once in the previous six years. That season, in 2017/18, they got all the way to the last four only to lose out to Monaco – the eventual runners up.
Key-Facts – Reims vs Montpellier
- Reims have lost just one of their last 10 games and were 2-1 winners over third tier side Bourg-en-Brasse in the previous round of this competition
- Montpellier have been going well for the majority of the season but have lost their last two. They defeated Nancy 3-2 to reach this stage
- There are only three points between the two clubs in Ligue 1 whilst it was a narrow 1-0 victory for Reims when they met in October
Reims vs Montpellier Betting Advice
The league meeting back in October was decided by one goal and it could well be another close affair on Tuesday. Only three points separate the clubs as we approach the halfway stage of the season so they are evenly matched. Where Reims have the edge is home advantage. Montpellier have been poor on the road and have not won any of their nine in the league. It’s likely to be a narrow margin of victory but it’s one which the home side can come out on top in.
