French Ligue 1 Preview – Bordeaux v Montpellier

Bordeaux v Montpellier – Stade Chaban Delmas, Sunday 7^th March 2010

 Little Montpellier’s unlikely title challenge has been the story of the season in France’s League 1 and many neutrals would love to see Rene Girard’s unheralded side claim the championship come May. The men from Languedoc-Roussillon only gained promotion from Ligue 2 last season and were widely tipped to make an immediate return to the second tier, but they have defied their critics in spectacular style and are presently riding high in second place. Leading the way are defending champions Bordeaux and with only goal difference separating them from Girard’s surprise high fliers, Sunday’s meeting between the two at Stade Chaban Delmas could go a long way to determining this season’s title race.

The home side finally ended Lyon’s stranglehold on Ligue 1 last term and under the guidance of former Manchester United and France defender Laurent Blanc, they have again impressed this season both domestically and in the Champions League. Patchy form in recent weeks has seen them come back to the pack, but they remain a formidable force at home where they have been beaten only once in the league.

11-goal Marouane Chamakh continues to capture plenty of headlines, most linking him with an end-of-season move to Arsenal, while attacking midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has also been in fine form. Sunday’s clash will be a family affair for Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso, meanwhile, as his younger brother and fellow ‘keeper Johann is on Montpellier’s books.

The visitors will again be without sidelined skipper Nenad Dzodic, but leading scorer Victor Hugo Montano is set to start and experienced midfielder Gregory Lacombe may be promoted from the bench to the starting eleven.

Montpellier have won seven of their last eight games, but did lost at home to Bordeaux when the two met back in December and are likely to go into Sunday’s game as moderate underdogs. An intriguing tussle is in prospect and given the home side’s recent wobbles, they may ultimately have to settle for a draw that would probably satisfy Montpellier and would certainly delight the other title hopefuls, Lyon, Marseille and Lille.

Prediction: Bordeaux 2-2 Montpellier