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

Montpellier HSC will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to five games when they play host to Nimes on Sunday lunchtime.

Michel Der Zakarian's side were held to a 2-2 draw by Dijon last time out, while Nimes just about managed to salvage a draw of their own against Lens.

Match preview

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Having put together a three-game winning streak in the French top flight before taking on Dijon - the league's basement side - Montpellier fans would have been expecting to see their side record a convincing victory at the home of the strugglers.

However, Der Zakarian's men were behind for long periods of the game and were indebted to a late penalty from Teji Savanier as they rescued a point against Dijon, who went ahead twice through Eric Ebimbe and Bruno Ecuele Manga.

The result comes as a surprise to a Montpellier side who have stormed into the Champions League places at this early stage of the season - with their record of 12 goals scored from five matches the joint most in the league alongside current leaders Rennes.

Der Zakarian's men will be desperate to prove that the draw with Dijon was just a one-off in their bid to return to European competition, and they ought to be confident of picking up all three points against a Nimes side winless since the opening day.

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Since trouncing Brest 4-0 in their first game of the season, Nimes have gone four games without taking maximum points and have slipped to 14th in the table.

Following two losses to Nantes and Rennes, Jerome Arpinon has switched to a 4-3-3 formation, and while Nimes have proven more difficult to break down, they were fortunate to come away with a share of the spoils against Lens.

Indeed, Ignatius Ganago's fourth goal of the season looked to have won the game for Lens before Zinedine Ferhat netted three minutes from time to avoid a third loss in four games for Nimes.

The showdown with Montpellier represents the first of three tough fixtures for Les Crocodiles, who face off against champions Paris Saint-Germain and the defensively-sound Bordeaux following the international break.

Montpellier came out on top 1-0 in this fixture last season, while Nimes have not beaten ‎La Paillade since the 2008-09 Ligue 2 campaign.

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form: LWWWD

Nimes Ligue 1 form: WLLDD

Team News

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Few changes are expected from the Montpellier side that salvaged a point against Dijon, with right-back Arnaud Souquet set to miss out following a thigh injury and 43-year-old Hilton captaining the side after returning from suspension last weekend.

Junior Sambia can look forward to another start in place of Souquet, while Savanier and Andy Delort both have three goals to their name already this season.

Florent Mollet and Ambroise Oyongo both came off the bench in last weekend's draw and will be pushing for inclusion from the first whistle.

In contrast, Nimes have a hefty injury list to contend with for the weekend showdown, with Sofiane Alakouch, Clement Depres, Sidy Sarr and Moussa Kone among those set to miss out.

Haris Duljevic recently tested positive for coronavirus and will not be involved here either.

Patrick Burner has recently joined Arpinon's side from Nice, and the right-back is in contention to start this one over Gaetan Paquiez.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup: Omlin; Mendes, Congre, Hilton; Sambia, Ferri, Le Tallec, Oyongo; Savanier; Laborde, Delort

Nimes possible starting lineup: Reynet; Burner, Briancon, Landre, Meling; Cubas, Fomba, Benrahou; Ferhat, Denkey, Ripart

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-0 Nimes

Montpellier's lowly draw against Dijon was certainly an unexpected result for the high-flying ‎Paillade, who will be determined to put things right here. Nimes are in the middle of a tough run of fixtures but have held their own in the past couple of weeks, but we expect the hosts to prevail comfortably in this encounter.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data