Montpellier vs Laval Prediction

Friday night under the lights in Ligue 2, and we've got what looks a proper mismatch on the cards. Montpellier are hosting Laval down south, and on paper this should be bread and butter for the home side.

Let's start with the hosts. Montpellier are sitting pretty in ninth, and their recent form's been decent - five wins from their last ten. But it's their home record that really catches the eye. They've won two-thirds of their last three at their gaff, banging in 2.33 goals a game and keeping things tight at the back with just one goal conceded per game. They just went to Nancy and came back with a 3-0 win, and before that they put four past promotion-chasing Le Mans in a cracking 4-2 victory. Even when they've lost recently - to Saint Etienne and Rodez - it's been by the odd goal against sides near the top. Against the strugglers, they've been ruthless.

Now then, poor old Laval. Second bottom with only three wins all season - that's relegation form, no two ways about it. They've turned drawing into an art form with eleven stalemates in 26 games, including five in their last six matches. They drew 2-2 with Guingamp last time out, and 1-1 with Nancy before that. The problem is they can't buy a win - just one victory in their last ten. Away from home it's even worse: only one win in their last five on the road, scoring a measly 0.8 goals per game. They don't concede loads, but they don't score enough to get the job done.

The head-to-head makes grim reading for Laval fans too - Montpellier have beaten them twice out of two, 1-0 and 2-0, keeping clean sheets both times. History suggests the hosts know how to handle this lot.

Key Points:

• Montpellier have won 66% of their last 3 home games, averaging 2.33 goals per game

• Laval are 17th with just 3 wins all season and 11 draws - the division's draw specialists

• Montpellier beat Laval 1-0 earlier this season and boast a 100% record against them

• Laval have drawn 5 of their last 6 matches, showing resilience but lacking cutting edge

• Montpellier have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 10 games while scoring 18 goals

Summary: Look, at 1.80 the home win isn't exactly stealing money, but it's a solid banker for your Friday night acca. Montpellier have the quality at home to break down Laval's stubborn resistance, and the visitors simply don't score enough to threaten an upset. Back the home win.