Ligue 1 | Gameweek 17

Jan 12, 2025 at 4.15pm UK

Stade de la Mosson

Montpellier vs Angers

Match preview

Montpellier's poor run of form this season continued as they lost their first league game of the season, extending their winless run to six games in all competitions.

Their last top-flight defeat - a 1-0 loss to Lyon at the Groupama Stadium - came on the back of a 4-0 thrashing by Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne in the last 64 of the Coupe de France.

La Paillade's exit from the Coupe de France at the hands of their less fancied opponents is testament to the horrors of their season so far.

This term, the home side's travails have been rooted in their vulnerability at the back and their lack of firepower up front.

Jean-Louis Gasset's men have conceded 39 league goals - the most of any team in the top flight - and are the only side yet to keep a clean sheet this term.

They have not fared any better at the other end of the pitch, scoring just 15 goals in 16 top-flight games - the second-worst record in the league this season.

Montpellier's two wins and three draws this term leave them 18th in the standings, seven points adrift of safety.

However, the home supporters will keep their hopes alive ahead of Sunday's clash, knowing that Gasset's men have picked up 100% of their points on their own turf and that the visitors are on a three-match losing streak at the Stade de la Mosson.

Angers, meanwhile, have enjoyed a better campaign after returning to the top flight following a season in Ligue 2.

The Black and Whites ended their league campaign in 2024 with a 2-0 defeat to Rennes at Roazhon Park in round 15.

However, Alexandre Dujeux's men followed that up with a 1-0 win over FC 93 Bobigny BG in the Coupe de France and got their 2025 campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 league victory over Brest at the Stade Raymond Kopa on 5 January.

Despite an unimpressive start to the campaign, which saw them go eight games without a win, Dujeux's men have won four of their last eight matches to take their tally to 16 points, two clear of the relegation zone.

Le SCO will be looking to record back-to-back league wins for the first time since 1 November.

However, the visitors will have their work cut out, having lost on their last three visits to the Stade de la Mosson.

However, the hosts' poor defensive record, coupled with two wins from their last four away games, will give the visitors some confidence ahead of Sunday's clash..

Recent Performance

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:WLDLDL

Montpellier HSC form (all competitions):LDLDLL

Angers Ligue 1 form:LLWLLW

Angers form (all competitions):LWLLWW

Team News

For the home side, Gasset is concerned about his defence, with many of his first-choice options sidelined.

Nikola Maksimovic and Boubakar Kouyate will both miss the game, the former picking up a thigh injury against Lyon and the latter a knee injury; in their absence, Christopher Jullien will join Becir Omeragic and Modibo Sagnan in a back three.

Left-back Lucas Mincarelli and top scorer Arnaud Nordin are also still on the sidelines, although Joris Chotard is available after serving a one-match ban for accumulating yellow cards against Lyon.

The visitors will be without winger Justin Kalumba, who is recovering from a broken ankle, while Halid Sabanovic is also out of the starting line-up due to a long-term injury.

However, first-choice attackers Jim Allevinah, Farid El Melali and Himad Abdelli, the latter of whom has five goals to his name, will be expected to provide Esteban Lepaul with support up front.

Possible starting lineup

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Omeragic, Sagnan, Jullien; Tchato, Ferri, Nzingoula, Sylla; Chotard; Adams, Al Tamari

Angers possible starting lineup:

Fofana; Hanin, Lefort, Biumla, Arcus; Belkebla, Aholou; El Melali, Allevinah, Abdelli; Lepaul