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

Both sides are set for a mid-table finish after very differing fortunes in the first half of the season.

Match preview

Michel Der Zakarian's arrival as manager at Montpellier earlier this year quickly ended any fears of the club facing relegation.

A superb run of form instantly after his appointment soon moved Montpellier safely into mid-table and they are all but assured of a place in the top-flight next season.

The formula has been a phenomenal attacking mindset which has seen them now rack up 56 goals, just one fewer than second-placed Lens, as no side in Ligue 1 has scored more goals than Montpellier in the 12 games since Der Zakarian took over

Montpellier went seven games unbeaten after the Armenian came in, but they have since taken their foot off the pedal slightly, with three defeats in five games.

Their defeat last weekend was both unfortunate and astonishing though, as Montpellier went down 5-4 away to Lyon in one of the games of the season across Europe.

It marked a second successive away game where they scored four goals after beating Monaco 4-0 the week previous, and they led 4-1 at the Groupama Stadium before succumbing to an Alexandre Lacazette masterclass in the second half.

Elye Wahi's sensational season continued - scoring all four goals that gave them the commanding lead - but a 99th-minute penalty saw them leave Lyon with nothing.

That quadruple has taken Wahi's tally to 17 for the season, and he now has 30 Ligue 1 goals in his career at the age of 20 - only Kylian Mbappe has reached the same tally at a younger age since the 1950s.

Meanwhile, Lorient have had the exact opposite season to Montpellier, but may end up finding themselves just a few points apart.

Having been in the Champions League hunt for much of the season, a dramatic fall off means they are almost certain to miss out on European football altogether.

It is still mathematically possible, but being eight points off Lille with just four games to go makes the task almost insurmountable.

Lorient are at least finishing the season with a bit of fight though, having won their last two games - as many as they had won in the three months prior.

Hammering 10-man Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes in a surreal afternoon two weeks ago was followed up by a narrow win over relegation-threatened Brest.

That win at PSG is their only win in their last eight away games though, and a poor recent record against Montpellier hardly breeds confidence either.

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:

D

L

L

W

W

L

Lorient Ligue 1 form:

L

D

L

L

W

W

Team News

Montpellier's midfield lynchpin Teji Savanier remains suspended as he will serve the last game of his three-match ban following a red card against Rennes here.

Kiki Kouyate will return from his ban though, after the Malian missed the Lyon game due to yellow card accumulation.

The two injury concerns for Montpellier both concern thigh issues, with Wahbi Khazri and Beni Makouana sidelined.

A late red card for Jean-Victor Makengo off the bench last weekend means the Lorient man will miss this clash.

Igor Silva and Julien Laporte remain injured while concussion protocols continue to keep Vito Mannone out.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Sacko, Jullien, Kouyate, Sylla; Ferri, Chotard, Fayad; Nordin, Wahi, Maouassa

Lorient possible starting lineup:

Mvogo; Cathline, Kalulu, Talbi, Le Goff, Yongwa; Innocent, Abergel, Faivre, Le Fee; Kone

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-1 Lorient

Montpellier are unbeaten against Lorient in their last 12 meetings, and will fancy they can score the goals to get them another result here.

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