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

Montpellier HSC will be looking to return to winning ways in Ligue 1 when they welcome relegation-threatened Troyes to Stade de la Mosson on Wednesday night.

The home side are currently eighth in France's top flight, boasting 31 points from their opening 20 matches of the season, while Troyes sit 17th, level on 17 points with 18th-placed Lorient.

Match preview

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Montpellier saw their long winning run come to an end on Sunday, as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Strasbourg, with the loss the team's first in the league since November 28.

La Paillade, who finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season, won six straight matches in all competitions between December 1 and January 2, including four in the league against Metz, Clermont, Brest and Angers.

Montpellier have won nine, drawn four and lost seven of their 20 league matches this season to collect 31 points, which has left them in eighth spot in the table, two points behind fifth-placed Monaco.

The home side are actually only three points behind fourth-placed Rennes and will fancy their chances of recording their 10th Ligue 1 victory of the season on Tuesday against their struggling opponents.

Olivier Dall'Oglio's side have impressed in front of their own supporters this season, picking up 20 points from their 10 matches, while Troyes have the third-worst away record in France's top flight this term.

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Troyes have held Montpellier to draws in their last two meetings, including a 1-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, while they picked up a point on their last visit to La Paillade in May 2018.

The Ligue 2 champions have won four, drawn five and lost 11 of their 20 league matches this season to collect 17 points, which has left them in 17th spot in the table, only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

Troyes have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat at home to Lyon on Sunday, with Moussa Dembele scoring the only goal of the contest from the penalty spot.

Bruno Irles's side have not been victorious in the league since beating Lorient 2-0 on December 1, while they have lost six of their nine away Ligue 1 matches during the 2021-22 campaign.

Goals have also been a real problem for Troyes this season, managing just 18 in their 20 matches, which is the joint-second worst record in the division alongside fellow strugglers Saint-Etienne.

Team News

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Montpellier will be without the services of Maxime Esteve, Thibault Tamas and Pedro Mendes through injury, while Ambroise Oyongo is unavailable due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The home side will also be missing Elye Wahi following his red card in the defeat to Strasbourg, with the 19-year-old sent off just five minutes after entering the field in the second half.

There are not expected to be any real surprises in the Montpellier XI on Tuesday, with Valere Germain again in line to lead the line with support from former Arsenal youngster Stephy Mavididi.

As for Troyes, Yoann Touzghar, Mama Balde, Rominigue Kouame and Issa Kabore are in action at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Hyun-jun Suk, Youssouf Kone, Philippe Sandler, Karim Azamoum and Metinho are all injured.

The visitors will be boosted by the returns of Jessy Moulin and Giulian Biancone, though, with the pair serving one-game suspensions against Lyon.

Biancone is expected to return to the starting XI in a wing-back position, while Tristan Dingome should again support Brandon Domingues in the final third of the field.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Omlin; Souquet, Cozza, Sakho, Ristic; Ferri, Chotard; Mollet, Savanier, Mavididi; Germain

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Gallon; Salmier, Rami, Palmer-Brown; Ripart, Tardieu, Chavalerin, Chambost, Biancone; Dingome; Rodrigues

We say: Montpellier HSC 2-0 Troyes

Montpellier suffered a setback against Strasbourg at the weekend, but the home side's recent form has been excellent, and we are fully expecting them to return to winning ways on Tuesday night at the expense of Troyes, who are battling to stay out of the relegation zone.