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

Les Gones suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Strasbourg last time out, while La Paillade kicked off their campaign with an eventful 2-2 draw against newly-promoted Le Havre.

Match preview

Following a disappointing seventh-place finish last season, Lyon would have been eager to kick-start the new campaign on a positive note, but Laurent Blanc's men were unable to avoid defeat against Strasbourg.

Despite racking up 65% possession and 23 shots - seven of which were on target - Lyon failed to make the most of their dominance, with second-half goals from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Lebo Mothiba taking the game away from the visitors.

Nicolas Tagliafico managed to pull a goal back in the 88th minute, but the Argentine's strike failed to spark a comeback, with Strasbourg standing firm and seeing out the win.

Still, Les Gones can take confidence from the fact that they lost just four of their 19 home league games last term, picking up 10 wins and four draws along the way.

Having enjoyed plenty of success at Groupama Stadium last season - scoring 35 goals while conceding just 19 - Lyon will be hopeful of bouncing straight back from last weekend's defeat when Montpellier come to town.

Montpellier found themselves 1-0 down after just five minutes on the opening weekend, as Gautier Lloris gave newly-promoted Le Havre the lead while silencing the Stade de la Mosson faithful.

After the break, Akor Adams bagged a quick-fire brace to turn the game on its head, scoring two goals in as many minutes to put the hosts in control, but Le Havre refused to lie down.

In the 90th minute, Samuel Grandsir broke through the Montpellier defence before smashing the ball into the net to earn his side a precious point, meaning that La Paillade were forced to settle for a draw.

It is worth remembering, however, that Montpellier picked up the majority of their points away from home last season, claiming 26 of their 50 points on the road, while the Occitania outfit finished the previous campaign with the eighth-best away record in Ligue 1.

Michel Der Zakarian will be hoping that his players can rediscover their impressive away form when they travel to Groupama Stadium on Saturday, although MHSC might find it difficult to recover from last weekend's 90th-minute equaliser.

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

Lyon form (all competitions):

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:

Montpellier HSC form (all competitions):

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Team News

Lyon will be without the injured duo of Anthony Lopes and Dejan Lovren this weekend, while Skelly Alvero is suspended after picking up a red card at the end of the previous campaign.

There are also question marks over the fitness of Angola international Clinton Mata, who was substituted midway through the first half last time out, meaning that Sael Kumbedi could come into the starting XI.

Having scored 31 goals in 39 games across all competitions last term, Alexandre Lacazette will lead the line for the hosts, with Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki operating on the flanks.

On the flip side, Montpellier defender Theo Sainte-Luce will miss the trip to Lyon as he continues to recover from injury, while Issiaga Sylla is a doubt for Saturday's clash.

The visitors are likely to match the hosts' 4-2-3-1 formation, with ex-Sunderland forward Wahbi Khazri expected to offer attacking support to lone striker Akor Adams, who bagged a brace on the opening weekend.

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Riou; Kumbedi, Caleta-Car, Diomande, Tagliafico; Lepenant, Tolisso; Barcloa, Caqueret, Cherki; Lacazette

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Sacko, Julien, Kouyate, Sylla; Ferri, Chotard; Al-Tamari, Savanier, Khazri; Adams

We say: Lyon 2-2 Montpellier HSC

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