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

Both teams failed to find the back of the net on matchday 15, with Les Grenats losing 1-0 at home to Brest, while La Paillade were held to a 0-0 draw with Lens.

Match preview

It has been anything but a December to remember so far at Metz, with the club from Lorraine losing both of their domestic contests this month, failing to score each time.

While this month has not begun impressively, their first season back in the French top flight has been an improvement from their previous one in 2021-22, with Metz claiming 16 points after 15 matches this season, three more than they had at this same stage of their last Ligue 1 campaign.

Although 16 points is not a massive total, history tells us that it could be a good omen for them, with only two sides in the French top flight being relegated at the end of the season when boasting the same current tally of Metz (Evian in 2014-15 and Amiens in 2019-20).

During their successful 2022-23 campaign in Ligue 2, Laszlo Boloni's men lost a mere two home games, but it has not been as simple for them to gain points in the top flight, losing three times at Stade Saint-Symphorien this season while winning only once (3-1 versus Nantes).

On a few occasions, Metz have left points on the table at home, conceding an equalising goal with fewer than 10 minutes remaining against Marseille (2-2 draw) and losing 1-0 to Strasbourg and Brest, respectively, allowing the winning goal in the 75th minute or beyond in both of those encounters.

Those four points dropped could have them in the top half of the table instead of where they currently sit in 12th, two points behind Nantes, who are ninth.

For well over a month now, it has been one disappointment after another for the club based in Occitania, who are a mere three points above relegation.

Montpellier enter this contest with a mere 14 points after 15 Ligue 1 affairs, tied for their fewest-ever this century, alongside the 2002-03 and 2022-23 teams.

Another defeat or draw this weekend would equal the longest drought for this club without a top-flight victory since going winless in seven successive matches from October to November 2022.

They enter this contest on a three-match losing run away from home in this competition, as many as manager Michel Der Zakarian suffered in his first 12 games since returning to this team in February.

La Paillade have only suffered one defeat in their last 14 away matches versus newly promoted sides, defeating Auxerre (2-0) and Ajaccio (1-0) a season ago.

Not since the 2016-17 Ligue 1 campaign have they lost a domestic encounter away at Metz (2-0), with Montpellier unbeaten in their last four visits to Stade Saint-Symphorien.

Metz Ligue 1 form:

D

D

W

W

L

L

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:

L

D

L

D

L

D

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Team News

Ababacar Lo is unlikely to feature for Metz on Sunday due to an unknown issue, Oscar Estupinan has a hamstring strain and Koffi Kouao is out until early January because of a knee injury.

Les Graoullys have not found the back of the net since matchday 13, when Cheikh Sabaly, Ismael Traore and Ablie Jallow scored in a 3-2 triumph over Lorient.

In their only home victory last month, goals from Kevin Van Den Kerkhof, Simon Elisor and Joel Asoro enabled them to defeat Nantes.

Boubakar Kouyate must sit out another match for Montpellier due to a red card suspension, while Issiaga Sylla and Arnaud Nordin are not expected to be back from their calf strains until late December.

Leo Leroy is dealing with a sore groin, Theo Sainte-Luce has an issue with his ankle and Wahbi Khazri will not be available because of a thigh injury.

After conceding six goals in three matches from November 26 to December 3, Benjamin Lecomte stopped all five Lens efforts last weekend for his first clean sheet since November 10 (0-0 draw versus Nice).

Metz possible starting lineup:

Oukidja; Colin, Traore, Herelle, Udol; Camara, N'Doram; Van Den Kerkhof, Jallow, Sabaly; Elisor

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Omeragic, Jullien, Esteve; Sacko, Savanier, Chotard, Delaye; Al-Tamari, Adams, Yeboah

We say: Metz 0-0 Montpellier HSC

Attacking is not the strong suit of either side, currently separated by two points in the table, with Montpellier in 14th, while Metz have netted two fewer times than their Sunday opponents (15).

Combine that with the creative struggles of each, and we expect chances to be at a premium for each team, who are evenly matched.

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