Preview: Lille vs. Montpellier HSC - prediction, team news, lineups

Paulo Fonseca's charges were served a slice of humble pie in a 1-0 loss to Angers last weekend, while their visitors also suffered defeat for the first time since Michel Der Zakarian's homecoming, falling 2-1 to Toulouse.

Match preview

Chance after chance fell to Les Dogues in the first half of their showdown with crisis club Angers last weekend, but Paul Bernardoni stood strong on each occasion in the Scoistes goal to play his part in the unlikeliest of triumphs for the division's basement side.

Having failed to make their early dominance count, Lille conceded the scrappiest of goals to substitute Halid Sabanovic in the 84th minute, as the right-back bundled home at the back post after Lucas Chevalier had spilled Adrien Hunou's effort into his path.

Angers had not prevailed in 21 straight Ligue 1 contests before somehow nullifying Paulo Fonseca's Lille, who remain in the fifth and final continental spot - good enough for Europa Conference League football - as things stand, but Rennes are only two points behind with eight games to go.

Never the most consistent travellers - at least not since the departure of Christophe Galtier - Lille will welcome a return to their Stade Pierre-Mauroy fortress, where they have avoided defeat in their last 12 top-flight games, the longest run of any side in the French top flight at present.

Not since a 2-1 reverse to Nice at the end of August have Les Dogues been put to the sword on their own soil - taking maximum points in eight of their last 12 Ligue 1 showdowns at their fortress - and the new manager bounce may finally be wearing off their upcoming visitors.

Der Zakarian's dream return to the Montpellier dugout had seen the Armenian glean 17 points from the first 21 on offer during his second spell in charge, having been lured back to the Stade de la Mosson after a four-year stint in the hotseat between 2017 and 2021.

However, La Paillade's luck ran out during last weekend's visit of Coupe de France finalists Toulouse, who showed few signs of a semi-final hangover, clinching a 2-1 win thanks to Thijs Dallinga's calm finish and Fares Chaibi's tap-in before Elye Wahi's 13th strike of the season, which proved inconsequential for the hosts.

One defeat hardly justifies pressing the panic button for Montpellier, but Der Zakarian must ensure that his side does not slide down a slippery slope, as their safety in the top flight is not assured just yet - occupying 13th place in the table and 11 clear of the four-team drop zone.

Wahi's consolation against Toulouse at least continued Montpellier's streak of scoring in every game under Der Zakarian since his return, and only two of their last eight Ligue 1 away games have ended in defeat, with just one goal conceded in their last 270 minutes of top-flight football on rival territory.

Montpellier will need to look for every silver lining they can against one of their bogey teams, as they have lost each of their last three against Lille and are winless in nine since a 3-0 home victory in November 2017 under - you guessed it - Der Zakarian.

Lille Ligue 1 form:

W

D

D

W

W

L

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:

D

W

W

W

D

L

Team News

Lille came through their defeat to Angers with plenty of bruised egos but no further injury concerns for Fonseca to worry about, as Adam Ounas (thigh) and Tiago Djalo (ACL) continue their long-term recoveries.

Edon Zhegrova is unlikely to be involved either after his own thigh problem kept him out of the loss at the Stade Raymond Kopa, but Ismaily should be back from a similar concern to challenge Gabriel Gudmundsson's spot at left-back.

Given their overall dominance against Angers, Fonseca should avoid the temptation to make wholesale changes, as Timothy Weah continues in the right-back role for the hosts.

As for Montpellier, Der Zakarian should have central defender Kiki Kouyate back in his ranks following a concussion, while Faitout Maouassa (thigh) could also be in contention for a comeback this weekend.

Khalil Fayad has also returned to training after a rib issue kept him out of the loss to Toulouse, but Maxime Esteve (groin), Dimitry Bertaud (ACL), Theo Sainte-Luce (calf) and Beni Makouana (thigh) are still confined to the treatment room.

Stephy Mavididi could set a new record for the most Ligue 1 appearances by an English player in the post-war era with a 108th game here, but having given the ball away for Toulouse's second as a substitute last weekend, he may be restricted to a spot on the bench again.

Lille possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Weah, Fonte, Alexsandro, Ismaily; Andre, Andre Gomes; Angel Gomes, Cabella, Bamba; David

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Sacko, Jullien, Kouyate, Sylla; Ferri, Chotard; Nordin, Savanier, Khazri; Wahi

We say: Lille 2-1 Montpellier HSC

There was no shortage of shots for Lille against Angers last weekend - Les Dogues simply came up against a goalkeeper in inspired form - and a similar volume of chances created with a little more ruthlessness should spell success for the hosts this weekend.

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