Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
EL Salvador
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates

Montpelliervs.Lorient

sportsmole.co.uk, 5 April 2024, 16:05
Lorient will be bidding to give their Ligue 1 survival hopes a boost when they head to Stade de la Mosson on Saturday afternoon for a contest with Montpellier HSC.

The visitors are currently 16th in the table, one point behind 15th-placed Le Havre, while Montpellier occupy 13th, just three points above their opponents in this intriguing contest.

Match preview

Montpellier will enter Sunday's contest in relatively solid form, having picked up seven points from their last four matches at this level, which has left them in 13th position in the table on 29 points.

Michel Der Zakarian's side have been victorious in two of their last three league games, beating Nice and Le Havre on their travels either side of a 6-2 home loss to the champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Montpellier have actually been more productive on the road in Ligue 1 this term, with 16 of their points coming away from their own stadium, where they have won just one of their last 11 matches.

La Paillade are only three points above 16th-placed Lorient heading into this contest, so they are looking over their shoulder at this stage of the campaign, demonstrating the importance of this match.

Montpellier are actually unbeaten against Lorient in France's top flight since December 2013, and they recorded a 3-0 victory when the two teams locked horns for the reverse match back in October.

Lorient, meanwhile, have a record of six wins, eight draws and 13 defeats from their 27 league matches this season, which has left them in 16th position in the table on 26 points.

Regis Le Bris's side are currently in a relegation playoff spot, but they are only one point behind 15th-placed Le Havre and just three from Montpellier, so it is not quite time to hit the panic button.

Metz in 17th are only three points behind Lorient, though, and it is a fascinating battle at the bottom of the division, as Clermont in 18th are also not out of the picture in terms of survival.

Lorient have not been victorious in Ligue 1 since beating Rennes at the start of March, picking up just one point from their last three games, with the run including a 1-0 defeat to Brest last weekend.

The visitors have not travelled well this term, picking up only 13 points from 13 matches, while as mentioned, it is more than 10 years since they last overcame Montpellier at this level of football.

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:

W

L

D

W

L

W

Lorient Ligue 1 form:

W

L

W

L

D

L

Team News

Montpellier will be without the services of three first-team players on Sunday through injury, with Issiaga Sylla, Joris Chotard and Axel Gueguin unavailable for selection.

Head coach Der Zakarian will have been pleased with his team's performance against Le Havre last time out, so it could be a case of same again in terms of the starting side here.

Akor Adams has found the back of the net on seven occasions in France's top flight this season, and the 24-year-old is set to continue as the centre-forward for Montpellier this weekend.

As for Lorient, Montassar Talbi, Bonke Innocent, Igor Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Quentin Boisgard will miss out on Sunday afternoon due to fitness problems.

However, Aiyegun Tosin, who was suspended for the clash with Brest last time out, is available for selection, and he is expected to be on the bench for this contest.

Mohamed Bamba has scored six times in nine Ligue 1 appearances since his arrival at the club during the January market, and he will again lead the line for the strugglers here.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Tchato, Kouyate, Sagnan, Davin; Al Ta'mari, Savanier, Omeragic, Ferri, Nordin; Adams

Lorient possible starting lineup:

Mvogo; F Mendy, Adjei, Toure; Katseris, Abergel, Bakayoko, Yongwa; Bouanani, Bamba, Ponceau

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-1 Lorient

Montpellier have enjoyed their recent meetings with Lorient, triumphing in four of their last five league matches, and we can see another success for the home side here. Lorient have enough quality to score, but we are finding it difficult to back them to pick up a positive result on Sunday.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

1 March 2025 talksport.com Wilfried Zaha has wasted no time adjusting to life in MLS with Charlotte FC. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In a clash that could impact the race for European football and the relegation battle in the Turkish Super Lig, Istanbul Basaksehir are set to host Sivasspor at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Monday. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Al Nassr cult hero Anderson Talisca has got involved in his old side's affairs, leading to suggestions he was targeting Cristiano Ronaldo. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's teenage starlet Nico O'Reilly was at the double as the Sky Blues secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a 3-1 comeback win over a spirited Plymouth Argyle side at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid's La Liga title hopes suffered a setback in Seville on Saturday evening, with the reigning champions suffering a 2-1 defeat to Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis outfit. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, with Los Blancos preparing to battle a number of clubs for his signature during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Goztepe SK will look to end their four-game winless league run when they welcome Samsunspor to the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Monday. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha left his side a man down and out of the FA Cup with a bizarre last minute red card. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United reportedly view Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery as a potential replacement for Ruben Amorim, should the club decide to make another change in the dug-out at the end of the campaign. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Millwall supporters are set to be investigated by the Football Association for homophobic chants aimed at Ben Chilwell. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made 11 changes to his starting lineup for this evening's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The reigning FA Cup holders take on a team who have never won the tournament in Sunday's fifth-round contest, as Manchester United welcome Fulham to their Old Trafford home. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has apparently turned down Los Blancos' first offer of a new contract amid interest from 'several teams' in the burgeoning centre-back. 1 March 2025 talksport.com A new rule is set to be introduced next season to combat time-wasting from goalkeepers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following their cup success in midweek, Sporting Lisbon will aim to build on that momentum when they return to Primeira Liga action on Monday for round 24, welcoming Estoril Praia to Estadio Jose Alvalade. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will continue their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday afternoon. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has warned Joshua Kimmich that no player is above the club as the Arsenal-linked midfielder reportedly hesitates over a new contract. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Despite an initially promising start in coaching, John Terry is now set to switch careers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to rival AC Milan for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jose Mourinho's four-match ban has been halved and his £35,000 fine reduced after a successful appeal. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly not ruled out the prospect of making an effort to sign Chelsea defender Levi Colwill this summer. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Konyaspor will be looking to inject some much-needed momentum into their survival fight in the Turkish Super Lig when they host Trabzonspor at Torku Arena on Monday. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides looking to bounce back from recent defeats in the Turkish Super Lig go head-to-head on Monday as Gaziantep host Eyupspor at the Gaziantep Stadium 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro this summer. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Burnley players refused to shake the hand of Preston's Milutin Osmajic, who was accused of racism by Clarets star Hannibal Mejbri just two weeks ago. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jean-Philippe Mateta was rushed to hospital after a shocking challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend.