Montpellier – PSG

PSG have drawn their last three matches. How will the Parisians play against Montpellier?

On Matchday 37 of the French championship, Montpellier take on PSG. The season is virtually over for both teams. Paris have won the title ahead of schedule, while Montpellier are stuck in the middle of the standings, from where they will not move much. The mode of finishing the season has been felt in the actions of both teams of late, but that does not mean they have given up playing. Montpellier have not won in seven consecutive rounds and have only picked up two points in that time. At the same time, the Paladins play with confidence, focusing on attack and not being afraid to open up the rear. That is one reason why they lost 1-2 to Clermont last time round, and before that they drew 2-2 with Metz, before losing 2-5 to Lyon. In other words, Montpellier have scored five goals but conceded nine in their last three games. And that fully reflects the nature of the Paladins' game. That said, even for an unmotivated opponent, PSG are a strong irritant. Parisians, even in their best form, were not very reliable in defense, and now they just fool around sometimes, and sometimes they show some beauty in the attack. That's why PSG have drawn three games in a row: with Lens (1-1), Strasbourg (3-3) and Troyes (2-2). As you can see, both the Parisians and their opponents scored in all those matches. And quite a lot of them. And away in Ligue 1, for example, PSG have conceded in 11 of their last 12 matches. That does not characterise the capital team's defence in the best way. The Parisians have nine away wins, five draws and four defeats. Montpellier have seven wins, five draws and six defeats at home. On home soil, the Paladins play quite unstable. In the first leg, PSG beat Montpellier 2-0 at home. But in September, these were very different teams in terms of the nature of the game. In the upcoming meeting, both teams will have losses. Montpellier have health problems for Cabell, Savannier, Omelen, Ristić, Vai and Ferri. PSG have Neymar and Kimpembe suspended, with Icardi, Paredes, Kurzawa and Draxler all injured. A decent list. But it's unlikely that instability and these losses will prevent them from playing effectively.