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

Both sides have changed their manager in recent weeks and seen very differing responses to doing so.

Match preview

Reims were leaking goals at will at the start of the season, conceding 19 in their opening nine games, picking up just seven points.

However, after sacking previous manager Oscar Garcia and placing William Still in temporary charge, there has been a massive shift in fortunes for the Red and Whites.

Two 0-0 draws and two one-goal wins show they have sacrificed fluidity for solidity under Still.

They really should have beaten Paris Saint-Germain in Garcia's final game in charge too, but could only manage another 0-0 draw.

Picking up nine points and conceding just once in their last five games has moved them comfortably away from danger though.

Reims have no real chance of European football considering they are 11 points off, so focus in the second half of the season will be placed on maintaining their current mid-table position.

In what has been a whirlwind start to the season for Montpellier, including 7-0 and 3-2 wins plus 5-2 and 4-2 defeats, they now find themselves in a serious slump.

Giving Romain Pitau the job after relieving Olivier Dall'Oglio of his duties following a defeat to Lens in mid-October has made little impact.

A draw versus Clermont last week was their first of the season and did end a five-game losing run, but picking up just one point from a possible 18 has seen La Paillade plummet down the table.

They were extremely fortunate to pick up that point at the Stade Gabriel Montpied too, as their opponents missed two penalties.

Only Troyes' matches have featured more goals than Montpellier's this season, but that is not providing them with many points, so they made need to take a leaf out of Still's book that being open and expansive is not the be all and end all.

The fact that only Troyes and Angers, who sit bottom of the table, have conceded more goals further illustrates this.

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:

L

L

L

L

L

D

Reims Ligue 1 form:

D

D

D

W

D

W

Team News

Montpellier will be able to call upon Stephy Mavididi again after the English wideman served his two-match suspension following a red card against Lyon.

That could see Tunisian international Wahbi Khazri drop to the bench as he prepares for the upcoming World Cup.

Pitau will be without two of his goalkeepers here, as Jonas Omlin, who sprained his ankle against Lyon, and Dimitry Bertaud are both out injured, therefore, Bingourou Kamara will continue to deputise between the sticks.

They have numerous absentees in defence too, as Theo Sainte-Luce (knee), Pedro Mendes, who has been a big miss all year, and Enzo Tchato, who injured a thigh muscle against Rennes, will all miss out.

Maxime Busi faces a late fitness test to see if he can return from a thigh injury for Reims, as does Florent Duparchy, who has had a lengthy layoff with a broken jawbone.

Thomas Foket and Andreaw Gravillon are both out with respective muscle injuries, while Kaj Sierhuis is absent with a serious knee problem.

Bradley Locko will be back from suspension and could replace Thibault De Smet at left-back.

With the form they are currently on, it is unlikely Still will tinker with the lineup too much.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Kamara; Sacko, Cozza, Jullien, Esteve, Maouassa; Fayad, Savanier, Ferri; Mavididi, Wahi

Reims possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Flips, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, Locko; Ito, Matusiwa, Cajuste, Doumbia, Zeneli; Balogun

We say: Montpellier HSC 1-1 Reims

Reims' drastic change in form thanks to their newfound defensive solidity gives them a great chance to come here and get a result.

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