Auxerrevs.Montpellier

The visitors have lost six games in a row in the league, and their clash with Saint-Etienne last time out was abandoned due to crowd trouble.

Match preview

Home fans threw flares onto the pitch, and part of one of the stands caught fire amongst all the chaos at Stade de la Mosson.

Montpellier were 2-0 down when the game was abandoned, a result that would have moved Saint-Etienne eight points clear of them in the table.

At present, it is unclear what the punishment will be for La Paillade, who are already rooted to the bottom of the table and seem destined for relegation to Ligue 2.

To add to their woes, head coach Jean-Louis Gasset offered his resignation following the match, which was rejected by the club's board.

Gasset is already expected to be departing the club in the summer, and he may even have a say in his successor at Montpellier, but he is now likely to see out the season at the club, having replaced Michel Der Zakarian earlier in the campaign.

The visitors are six points adrift of the relegation playoff position in Ligue 1 at present, and should Saint-Etienne eventually be awarded the points from their abandoned meeting, then that gap could grow even wider.

Gasset has already talked down his side's chances of surviving relegation in Ligue 1 this campaign, claiming that the club has "no hope" of staying in the division.

The visitors have been poor at both ends of the pitch this season, having conceded 59 times in their 25 completed matches, which is currently the worst defensive record in Ligue 1.

As well as this, they have scored just 21 goals, which also makes them the lowest-scoring team in the division.

Their chances this weekend appear to be slim, as alongside all the drama from their last match, they take on an Auxerre side that have only been beaten twice at home in the league all season.

Montpellier have secured just three points on their travels all season, with their 2-1 win at Toulouse on January 26 their sole away win this campaign.

Therefore, Auxerre will feel confident of victory this weekend up against a club in crisis, and the hosts appear to have done enough to survive in the division this season.

Having been promoted from Ligue 2 last season, they were one of the favourites to go back down this season, but with eight games remaining, they are 11 points clear of any danger.

Their form at home has been a major reason why they appear to be safe, as only nine of their points have been claimed away from home.

Auxerre's recent form has helped them significantly in their bid to survive in Ligue 1, with AJA losing just once in their last six league matches.

The hosts will look to get some revenge on Montpellier this weekend, as they suffered a 3-2 defeat in the reverse fixture back in September.

A brace from Akor Adams helped La Paillade to victory that day, which is one of just four league wins that the club has had to celebrate this season.

Auxerre Ligue 1 form:

D

D

W

L

W

D

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

Team News

In a blow for the hosts, they will be without Lasso Coulibaly for this game due to a knee injury.

Elsewhere, Hamed Traore is expected to feature for Auxerre, following a recent shoulder problem.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without both Boubakar Kouyate and Theo Sainte-Luce due to suspension.

In further bad news for the visitors, both Becir Omeragic (knee) and Nikola Maksimovic (thigh) are ruled out of this clash.

Enzo Tchato (quadriceps), Christopher Jullien (knee), Axel Gueguin (ribs) and Yanis Issoufou are all also doubtful for Montpellier.

Auxerre possible starting lineup:

Leon; Mensah, Osho, Jubal, Diamonde, Hoever; Traore, Danois, Owusu, Perrin; Bair

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Sacko, Mouanga, Sagnan, Mincarelli; Nzingoula, Chotard, Savanier; Maamma, Coulibaly, Delort

We say: Auxerre 2-0 Montpellier HSC

Montpellier's campaign has had many lows, particularly in their games away from home, so it is difficult to see anything but a home victory in the match.

Written by

Tom Humphrey

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