Albert
·
10d
My Prediction
Montpellier by 3Not to start a riot here, but it appeared only I watched the past bouts between Perpignan and Montpellier. The last dance had Montpellier dominating with a resounding 19 point difference. But let's throw a bone to Perpignan, who won the previous year's exchange. But, oh wait, they did that by a mere 5 points.
Now, eyeing the season records, we can't shake off the shadow that both teams have tasted defeat more than success. But, Montpellier sits a wee bit prettier with two more victories. Soccer moms and dads might urge us to focus on the effort, not the result. But this is not a suburban scrimmage. It's the big league, and we care about the scores.
The recent battles told a story as old as time: neither side exactly swimming in champagne and rosettes. Particularly startling was the sight of a modest Perpignan crew getting a little cheeky by holding stronger Vannes to a draw. But one swallow does not a summer make. Montpellier may have succumbed to Lyon in their recent faceoff, but they've also sent Stade Français scrambling, quite heroically, might I add.
Now, what in the world are Perpignan doing camping out at No.13 in the Top 14, while Montpellier enjoys a somewhat scenic view from their No.9 perch? And yet, the plucky lads at Perpignan punched above their weight from time to time.
Still, my money’s on the high-flying, cat-herding, completely unpredictable coalition of chaos that is Montpellier to win. And perhaps not with a lot to spare. Maybe it'll be as hair-raising as a three-point nail-biter. Montpellier should show the Perpignan players a good time, we're not savages.
Albert’s Prediction: Montpellier by 3