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

Following the international break, Ligue 1 action returns on Sunday as Montpellier HSC will host Saint-Etienne at the Stade de la Mosson as each side looks to climb the table.

Both teams coming into the game on the back of defeats, with the visitors having failed to pick up a victory so far this season.

Match preview

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After securing their first three points of the season against Lorient with a confident 3-1 result, Montpellier were unable to secure consecutive victories after being defeated in their last outing.

Michel Der Zakarian's men were beaten 2-1 by Lille during their most recent performance, despite the fact that Gaetan Laborde had drawn his team level right at the end of the first half.

A 56th-minute goal from Jonathan David saw Montpellier lose the match, which was only made worse by the fact that Junior Sambia was sent off later on, adding to their misery.

This was their second defeat of the season, with the first coming on the opening day of the campaign in a five-goal thriller against Marseille.

Montpellier have struggled defensively so far, having failed to keep a clean sheet in the opening four fixtures, letting in nine goals in that time which is the joint highest in the division.

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However, they do have firepower in the form of Laborde, who has now managed to score 15 goals and created four assists from his 29 games within this calendar year, which makes him a serious threat in this game.

The visitors have actually failed to win any matches so far in Ligue 1, yet throughout the season they have only lost once as well, having drawn their first three games.

Despite Timothee Kolodziejczak scoring against Marseille in order to draw his team level in their last performance, Saint-Etienne still ended up losing the game 3-1, with two goals in the second half seeing them suffer their first defeat of the campaign.

Last season Les Verts did manage to pick up three points away at Montpellier, with a 2-1 victory taking place back in May, which is a result the club would love to replicate as they currently sit just one point above the relegation zone.

Team News

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De Zakarian will be without Sambio for this fixture due to suspension, while their first-choice goalkeeper Jonas Omlin remains an injury concern. Having missed out on Euro 2020 with a groin problem, he is yet to feature this season.

Both Pedro Mendes and Ambroise Oyongo are still dealing with knee injuries that are set to see them out of action in the long term, but Laborde will feature as their main attacking threat here.

The visitors will be without Aimen Moueffek who is recovering from a broken arm, while there are question marks over the fitness of Alpha Sissoko, who has been dealing with a thigh injury.

However, there should be a return for Charles Abi, who had COVID-19 prior to the international break, and for Miguel Trauco, who had been dealing with a personal situation.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Bertaud; Thuler, Sakho, Cozza, Celik; Ferri, Chotard, Mollet, Savanier, Laborde; Mavididi

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:
Green; Trauco, Macon, Sow, Kolodziejczak; Camara, Neyou, Youssouf; Hamouma, Khazri, Bouanga

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-1 Saint-Etienne

Defensively, both teams have struggled so far this season, so goals are likely to be guaranteed within this fixture, in what should prove to be quite an open game.

However, with Laborde in fine form at the moment, he might be able to fire his team into a victory here, leaving Saint-Etienne still searching for their first win.