High-flying Montpellier Herault would be looking to keep last year’s momentum when they host Remi Garde’s Olympique Lyonnais in their first game of 2012 at the Stade de la Mosson et http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Du-c11689 Mondial on Saturday
Week 20 of the Ligue 1 Championelle will see high-flying Montpellier Herault host Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade de la Mosson on Saturday, January 14, 2012.
Both sides would be looking to start the second half of the campaign with a win which means that the game is bound to be an exciting one for both fans and neutrals.
High-flyers to be tested
Throughout the first half of the campaign, Montpellier have not fallen out of the top four. However, La Paillade showed signs of fatigue in the last games of the first half of the season. Montpellier failed to win in the last three Ligue 1 outings which
gave PSG a chance to end the year 2011 as ‘autumn champions’.
However, following a lengthy Christmas break, the Montpellier players would certainly be fresh and reinvigorated to continue from where they left off.
However, Rene Girard’s men have been the most prolific side in Ligue 1 thus far. Having scored 39 goals in 19 games, the southerners have an equally fantastic home record (seven wins and one draw in nine games) which is another reason why they are in the
top 4.
However, the clash against Olympique Lyonnais promises to be a tough test for the home side and their mettle. In the last seven games at home against Les Gones, Montpellier have won just once. Furthermore, since returning to Ligue 1 in 2009, Montpellier
have suffered more defeats against Lyon than any other side.
The African Cup of Nations has also posed a major threat on Montpellier’s good home record. Key playmaker Younes Belhanda and Abdelhamid El Kaoutari have left to represent http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tunisia-c3025) have
also left to represent their respective countries.
Rene Girard is also wary of Lyon and while talking to the media, he said, "They will be there battling for the title come the end of the season. With all the players who have departed for the AFCON, this is going to be a period where we will have to cope.
It will give us an idea of what we can achieve without certain players. I have no doubt. It is up to the players to go out and attack the match with plenty of determination and desire."
Good star to 2012
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Joe-Cole-c18694 but showed a lot of character to win the game 2-1.
Remi Garde was also happy for his side and said, "Obviously it's not easy when you are a goal down against Lille," he said. "But it was important to win as it will help us recover quicker. We will give the players as much rest as possible to help prepare
them for Montpellier. We have not been helped by the people who decide the fixtures as we are the only team who will have played Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday this week. All that for television, but it doesn't seem all that fair to me."
Team news
Montpellier
Apart from the African contingent, Girard has a fully fit squad to choose from
Lyon
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bafétimbi-Gomis-c7180 missed the Lille game with a knee injury.
Predicted final score: Montpellier 1-2 Lyon
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