Ligue 1 | Gameweek 26

Mar 16, 2025 at 4.15pm UK

Stade de la Mosson

Montpellier vs St Etienne

Match preview

Jean-Louis Gasset's Montpellier enjoyed a run of consecutive wins in mid-January, but have since lost six of their last seven.

Last time out, La Paillade followed up a 4-0 home thrashing by Reims with a 1-0 away defeat to Lille, and their two clean sheets means they have scored just one goal and conceded 13 during their current losing streak.

Their latest defeat has left them at the foot of the Ligue 1 table, five points adrift of their 17th-placed opponents and six adrift of Le Havre in the relegation play-off places after both their rivals picked up a point.

Gasset's men will be playing in front of their home fans for this crucial match after St Etienne's supporters were banned from travelling due to the risk of violence, but having conceded four goals on the bounce at the Stade de la Mosson, they will be hard-pressed to come away with even a single point.

An unlikely win could see Montpellier close the gap to safety to just four points by the next matchday, but defeat could leave them on the brink of relegation and eight points adrift of everyone else in the division.

Meanwhile, Eirik Horneland's St Etienne are on a nine-game winless streak ahead of their trip to Montpellier, but have taken seven points from 2025, one more than their opponents.

Last Sunday, Les Verts held fellow strugglers Le Havre to a 1-1 draw, although they will be disappointed to have surrendered a 10th-minute lead to Lucas Stassin as three points would have moved them level on points with Reims, who are safe from relegation.

Horneland's side won the reverse fixture at the weekend thanks to a Benjamin Bouchouari goal that was enough to secure a 1-0 victory in November, but it is worth noting that the visitors have failed to take maximum points from any of their away games this season.

In fact, St Etienne have only avoided defeat on three occasions away from the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in the 2024-25 campaign, and they could be lacking in confidence going into Saturday's crucial clash, not to mention the lack of travelling support.

However, Les Verts will be motivated by the knowledge that three points could lift them as high as 15th in the standings, depending on results elsewhere, and a defeat could give their opponents hope of survival.

Recent Performance

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:LLLLLL

Saint-Etienne Ligue 1 form:LLLDLD

Team News

Montpellier have a long list of absentees this weekend, including defenders Theo Saint-Luce and Kiki Kouyate, as well as midfielder Jordan Ferri, all suspended for accumulating yellow cards.

On the other hand, Khalil Fayad has served his own suspension for the same reason and should be welcomed back into the XI alongside Rabby Nzingoula and Joris Chotard in midfield.

As for St Etienne, centre-back Dylan Batubinsika is available after serving a suspension against Le Havre, so expect him to start alongside Mickael Nade at the heart of defence in front of goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur.

Elsewhere, striker Ibrahima Wadji could feature for the first time since November, although he is likely to start on the bench if he is to make an impact at all.

Meanwhile, left-sided midfielder Benjamin Old continues to work his way back from a knee injury that has sidelined him since October and could be back in contention towards the end of the month.

Possible starting lineup

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Sacko, Mouanga, Meite, Sagnan; Coulibaly, Nzingoula, Fayad, Chotard; Savanier; Delort

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:

Larsonneur; Macon, Batubinsika, Nade, Petrot; Moueffek, Ekwah; Cardona, Bouchouari, Davitashvili; Stassin