Montpellier vs Rodez Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this Ligue 2 clash between Montpellier and Rodez. On paper, you'd think the home side should have this in the bag - they're sitting pretty in 5th while Rodez are lingering down in 12th. But football's not played on paper, is it?

Montpellier's recent form has been a bit hit and miss, especially at their own gaff. They've only won 2 of their last 5 home games, and let's be honest, getting turned over 1-3 by Boulogne at home isn't exactly championship-winning stuff, is it? They did put four past Nancy in their last home game, but Nancy are having a right old time of it at the bottom end of the table.

Rodez, on the other hand, might be lower down the table but they know where the back of the net is, especially on their travels. They're banging in 1.5 goals per game away from home - that's more than they score at their own place! What's really caught my eye is their Both Teams To Score record - a whopping 70% of their games end with both sides finding the net.

When you dig into the head-to-head, it's not as one-sided as you might think. Sure, Montpellier have won more overall, but at home against Rodez it's exactly 50-50 - two wins, two losses. No draws in six meetings tells you these teams don't do cagey, does it?

The stats are pointing towards goals. Montpellier are leaking 1.4 goals per game at home, while Rodez are shipping 1.25 on the road. Neither defence looks particularly solid, and both attacks have shown they can cause problems. Rodez have scored in 8 of their last 10 games, while Montpellier have found the net in 7 of their last 10.

Looking at the odds, Both Teams to Score at 1.65 looks like decent value to me. You've got a home side that's been defensively shaky but can score, against an away team that loves a goal-fest and has been finding the net regularly on their travels. It's got the makings of a proper end-to-end affair.