Bath vs Montpellier Predictions & Tips - Bath can take down Montpellier in European Challenge Cup

Bath have been in good form of late, despite losing last weekend. Montpellier have not played much rugby over the last month and their season in general has been disappointing. I expect the hosts to cover the -7 handicap in this encounter in Bath. 

Bath lead Montpellier 5-1 in their six previous meetings.

They last met in December 2014 in the European Champions Cup where Bath won 32-12 at home.

Bath reached the semi-final of the European Challenge Cup by beating Zebre 35-27 in the round of 16 and London Irish 26-13 at home in the quarter-final.

They are currently seventh in the English Rugby Premiership with eight wins from their 17 matches. Since their quarter-final win over London Irish, Bath have won one and lost one in the Premiership.

At home they managed to sneak passed Leicester Tigers with a 21-20 victory before losing 39-29 at Wasps last weekend.

Overall Bath’s form has been pretty good over recent months with nine wins in their last 12 matches in all competitions. On home soil Bath will be confident but they come up against a very strong Montpellier side.

Beno Obano saw red at the weekend but he shouldn’t be a massive loss for this match.

Anthony Watson and Joe Cokanasiga will be key attacking weapons for Bath while fellow English international, Jonathan Josepth adds experience to the midfield.

Montpellier have a brilliant side on paper but have been extremely inconsistent this season. They have also not played Top 14 rugby since the end of March.

Montpellier are 11th on the Top 14 table which belies the talent within the squad. Their form has however picked up after a horror start to their Top 14 campaign.

In the European Challenge Cup, Montpellier beat Glasgow Warriors 26-21 at home in the round of 16. They then beat Benetton 31-25 at home to make it to the semi-final.

Montpellier showed their quality in their last match in the Top 14 at the end of March when they beat the table topping Toulouse 29-16 away from home. 

Montpellier have no reported injury concerns ahead of this semi-final. They should field a similar side to which starred in the quarter-final clash.

Fullback Johan Goosen has already signed for the Bulls next season but is expected to continue in the starting lineup.