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04 January 2025

Lyon Hosts Montpellier As Both Teams Face Contrasting Fortunes

Despite off-field turmoil, Lyon seeks victory against relegation-threatened Montpellier HSC.

Olympique Lyonnais aims to secure points against relegation-threatened Montpellier HSC this weekend as Ligue 1 action resumes. With both clubs facing contrasting fortunes, Lyon's aspirations for European football come under threat due to off-field issues, contrasting sharply with Montpellier's struggle to survive the drop.

On Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET, Olympique Lyon will host Montpellier HSC at the Groupama Stadium, marking the continuation of their Ligue 1 campaign.

Lyon enters the match sixth in Ligue 1, fueled by their attacking prowess led by Alexandre Lacazette, the side’s top scorer with five goals this season on 12 shots. He is complemented by Georges Mikautadze, who has four goals across 21 attempts. Alongside Lacazette, Rayan Cherki is pivotal to the Lyon attack, contributing significantly with three assists and 16 chances created.

Despite their promising attacking figures, concerns loom over Lyon's financial difficulties, with debts reaching €100 million. These financial strains may jeopardize their Liga status, pushing the team to focus on securing their position to avoid the shred of relegation, which can materialize if the debts are not addressed. Following the recent January transfer window, their inactivity on the market raises eyebrows, as they may need to offload players to stabilize their finances.

Last year ended on a mixed note for Lyon as they recorded two major outcomes: they faced Paris Saint-Germain, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat, and simultaneously secured their place in the Coupe de France Round of 16 with a narrow victory against SC Feignies.

On the contrary, Montpellier’s plight is dire. Currently rooted at the bottom of the table with just nine points from 15 matches, their performance has ignited fears of relegation, casting shadows over the club’s 50th anniversary. They recently suffered one of the worst defeats experienced by any Ligue 1 team against lower-tier opposition, losing 4-0 to Le Puy, emphasizing their defensive frailties as they hold the league's worst record with 38 goals against.

Under the guidance of new coach Jean-Louis Gasset, Montpellier has witnessed incremental improvements but remains reliant on home soil for points. Despite notable performances, their struggle on the road continues, with all seven away matches resulting in defeats, demonstrating their weak form away from home.

Gasset highlighted the mindset required from his players, stressing the importance of motivation and alignment with the team's goals. There’s desperation to turn things around before the season slips entirely out of reach. The team is shifting gears, emphasizing the need for at least seven more victories to retain their Ligue 1 status, as Gasset affirms, "We must believe, we must stay positive!"

While Lyon seems prepared to capitalize on Montpellier's struggles, history has shown unpredictability at this juncture of the season, with both sides eager for much-needed points. Lyon’s home record this season has shown solid performances, buoyed by four wins and one draw in five matches at Groupama Stadium, only losing to teams positioned above them.

Meanwhile, Montpellier will be without captain Téji Savanier, removed from the squad due to controversial comments made post-defeat, leaving the team needing to rebuild its morale on and off the pitch. Their aspirations hinge on this match to reignite their fight against relegation and restore their position.

Current statistics favor Lyon, averaging 1.8 goals per game compared to Montpellier's 1.0. Defensively, Lyon ranks sixth with only 16 goals conceded, whereas Montpellier’s defense yields 38 goals—an alarming deficit.

The health of both squads going forward shows some hope, as Lyon's only absentee is Duje Caleta-Car who is still serving suspension. Conversely, Montpellier will navigate without several key players due to injuries and suspensions.

All eyes are set on Lyon's dynamic duo of Lacazette and Cherki to lead the charge against the solidified Montpellier defense, which has demonstrated issues, bolstering outlook for what seems likely to be a thrilling encounter this weekend.