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

The hosts suffered a heavy defeat at Lorient in their most recent domestic fixture, while Montpellier were beat by home by Will Still's Reims side.

Match preview

Lille secured their place in the group stage of the Europa Conference League on Thursday, beating Croatian outfit Rijeka 3-2 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Stadion HNK Rijeka.

Trips to Slovenia, Slovakia and Faroe Islands await Paulo Fonseca's men in Europe later this year, but attention now returns to putting things right following a disappointing loss in Ligue 1 last weekend.

Les Dogues were thrashed by Lorient at Stade Yves Allainmat last Sunday, with Laurent Abergel, Julien Ponceau, Romain Faivre and Vincent Le Goff all getting onto the scoresheet on the day.

Jonathan David netted a consolation for Lille in the 55th minute of that contest - the Canadian will be hoping to better last season's tally of 24 Ligue 1 goals in the new 2023-24 term.

It has been over a year since Les Dogues tasted defeat at home in Ligue 1, with the hosts on Sunday losing 2-1 to Nice on August 31 2022 due to a pair of penalties for Lucien Favre's men.

Montpellier's unbeaten start at the beginning of this campaign came to an abrupt end last weekend, as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Reims.

Teddy Teuma bagged a brace for the visitors at Stade de la Mosson-Mondial 98, with Musa Al-Taamari's first-half strike proving to be a mere consolation for the hosts.

Following a share of the spoils with Le Havre on home soil in their season opener, Michel Der Zakarian took his men to Lyon and witnessed a brilliant display, with Montpellier running out as 4-1 winners.

The 2011-12 Ligue 1 winners have suffered three successive bottom-half finishes most recently for the first time in over a decade, and supporters will be hoping their side can challenge for the European spots once more this term.

Lille Ligue 1 form:

Lille form (all competitions):

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:

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Team News

Lille are set to make a number of changes from the XI who disappointed at Lorient last weekend, with the likes of Remy Cabella and Angel Gomes pushing for starting berths ahead of Hakon Arnar Haraldsson.

Argentinian Ignacio Miramon was forced off after just 30 minutes of the defeat last Sunday, and it is expected that Yusuf Yazici will partner Benjamin Andre in the hosts' engine room.

Montpellier are preparing to make a few changes from the side who lost against Reims last time out, meaning centre-back Christopher Jullien could be replaced by Becir Omeragic in the starting lineup.

Tunisia international Wahbi Khazri could be set for his second start of the Ligue 1 campaign - the 32-year-old has only managed four goals in 31 appearances since joining from Saint-Etienne last summer.

Lille possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Santos, Diakite, Yoro, Ismaily; Gomes, Andre, Yazici; Zhegrova, Cabella, David

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Sacko, Omeragic, Kouyate, Sylla; Ferri, Chotard, Al-Taamari, Savanier, Nordin; Adams

We say: Lille 1-0 Montpellier HSC

Lille will have restored some confidence after advancing to the group stage of the Conference League in the week, and they should have enough quality to continue their unbeaten streak on home soil.

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