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

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking forward to a second straight Ligue 1 campaign after avoiding relegation in their return to the top flight last season.

Match preview

At the halfway stage of the 2021-22 campaign, Montpellier occupied fifth positon, and looked set to finish in the top half of the Ligue 1 table for the fifth consecutive season.

However, Montpellier fell away in the second half of the season, winning three of their final 19 games, which left them in 13th position.

Their poor form from the end of the previous campaign has continued in pre-season, with Montpellier losing all five of their friendlies.

Olivier Dall'Oglio will be particularly concerned that his side conceded nine goals across their previous two friendly encounters against Toulouse and Crystal Palace.

Despite struggling in pre-season, Montpellier will at least be hopeful of claiming a positive result on Saturday after losing just one of their previous 10 Ligue 1 games against Troyes.

While Troyes finished five points adrift of Montpellier last season, they would have regarded the 2021-22 campaign as a success.

As a newly promoted side, Troyes managed to end the campaign six points clear of the bottom three in 15th place, and they will be aiming for a similar position this term.

Ahead of his first full season in charge, Bruno Irles has added the likes of Savio, Jackson Porozo and Andreas Bruus to the squad.

Troyes have experienced mixed results in preparation for the new campaign, losing 6-1 and 4-0 to Toulouse and Metz in their opening two pre-season games, but they have also recorded a 3-0 victory over Le Havre before beating Nancy 5-4 last weekend.

They will now turn their focus to Sunday's away trip where they will attempt to win their opening game of Ligue 1 season for the first season since 2001.

Montpellier HSC pre-season form:

Troyes pre-season form:

Team News

Montpellier will be without the services of Jordan Ferri, who will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards that will carry over from last season.

Dall'Oglio could give competitive debuts to most of his summer signings, including Wahbi Khazri and Arnaud Nordin who have both arrived from St Etienne.

Last season's top scorer Elye Wahi could start up front for the hosts on Sunday after the 19-year-old scored 10 Ligue goals last term.

As for the visitors, Karim Azamoum is a long-term injury absentee, while Adil Rami is a doubt for the season opener.

After starting in the friendly win over Nancy last weekend, Bruus and Porozo could make their official debuts for Troyes on Sunday.

Kylian Dong has featured throughout pre-season, and the 17-year-old could make his first competitive appearances for the senior side.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Omlin; Sacko, Esteve, Tchato, Saint-Luce; Chotard, Savanier; Nordin, Khazri, Mavididi; Wahi

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Gallon; Bruus, Porozo, Palmer-Brown, Salmier, Larouci; Kouame, Tardieu, Chavalerin; Ripart, Dong

We say: Montpellier HSC 1-1 Troyes

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