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

Montpellier HSC will aim to make it back-to-back wins in Ligue 1 when they welcome Clermont to the Stade de la Mosson on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts saw off Metz 3-1 in midweek, while Pascal Gastien's side rescued a point in a 2-2 draw with European hopefuls Lens.

Match preview

© Reuters

Talk about coming back with a bang - Montpellier talisman Teji Savanier returned from suspension in remarkable fashion against Metz - opening the scoring with an astounding free kick from an angle that most would not have even thought about shooting from.

Stephy Mavididi and Elye Wahi would finish off sweeping moves for Olivier Dall'Oglio's men following Savanier's stunning opener, and Metz forward Nicolas de Preville would smash home nothing more than a consolation effort as Montpellier comfortably returned to winning ways.

Such a showing was the perfect way for La Paillade to respond to defeats to Rennes and Lyon without scoring a goal, and they find themselves ninth in the table as a result, just four points adrift of Lens in fifth spot.

Defeat to Lyon at the Stade de la Mosson did end a six-game unbeaten streak on home soil for Montpellier - who had won four from six on their own turf before going down to Les Gones - but Dall'Oglio's attack-minded crop will need no added incentive to expose Clermont's defensive deficiencies.

© Reuters

Clermont's dismal five-game losing run in the top flight was expected to extend to six when top-four contenders Lens paid a visit, and Sang et Or twice took the lead through Johan Gastien's own goal and Seko Fofana's smart finish.

However, Pascal Gastien's side responded both times in front of their own supporters, with Yohann Magnin heading home for his first-ever goal in Ligue 1 before star man Mohamed Bayo rescued a point in the 65th minute for the newly-promoted outfit.

Manager Gastien and winger Yadaly Diaby both saw red on the day, but Clermont ended their losing streak in some fashion at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied, although that point has done little to help drag them away from danger as they sit 16th in the standings.

The less said about Clermont's away form the better, though, as Les Lanciers have lost five of their last six Ligue 1 games on the road - including each of their last three - and 20 goals conceded in such games is the second-worst tally in the division behind Bordeaux.

Montpellier and Clermont have not locked horns in any competition since their days in Ligue 2, with Les Lanciers winning the most recent meeting 2-1 back in April 2009 after La Paillade had previously won three on the trot.

Team News

© Reuters

Montpellier forward Wahi was forced off injured barely eight minutes after scoring against Metz, so veteran Valere Germain is poised to start up top if the teenager does not make the cut.

Long-term victim Pedro Mendes remains out with his ACL injury, but fellow defender Maxime Esteve may be able to return from his thigh problem relatively soon.

Barring Germain's possible inclusion over Wahi, it would be a surprise to see Dall'Oglio make any alterations from the dominant win at Metz.

Meanwhile, Clermont manager Gastien will not be in the dugout following his expulsion from the Lens draw, while Diaby is also serving a one-game ban for his own red card.

The attacker came off the bench to replace the injured Jim Allevinah on the day - with the 26-year-old suffering a foot problem - and he joins Oriol Busquets, Elba Rashani and Cedric Hountondji in the treatment room.

Jason Berthomier or Saif-Eddine Khaoui could therefore start on the left-hand side of the visitors' depleted attack, although the latter was also absent for the Lens draw.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

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

Clermont possible starting lineup:

Djoco; Zedadka, Ogier, Billong, N'Simba; Abdul Samed, Gastien; Dossou, Magnin, Berthomier; Bayo

We say: Montpellier HSC 3-1 Clermont

Clermont always have a source of goals when Bayo is on the pitch, but the rest of their attack is depleted, and they hardly have the wind in their sails ahead of this fixture.

A Dall'Oglio side will relish the opportunity for a goal-laden performance against one of the league's leakiest defences, so we can only back Montpellier to prevail comfortably.