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[monks data]
Montpellier
Ligue 1
Aug 21, 2015 at 7.30pm UK
 
PSG logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Matuidi (60')

Preview: Montpellier vs. Paris Saint-Germain

Sports Mole looks ahead to Friday evening's Ligue 1 encounter between Montpellier and champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade de la Mosson.

The new Ligue 1 campaign may only be two games old, but there will be contrasting moods in the two dressing rooms ahead of this clash at the Stade de la Mosson on Friday evening.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain sit top of the pile having won both of their encounters, while hosts Montpellier, who have suffered two defeats, are propping the division's other 19 sides up.


Montpellier

Montpellier's French coach Rolland Courbis reacts during the French L1 football match between Nice and Montpellier at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, southeastern France, on October 4, 2014© Getty Images

La Paillade won the Ligue 1 title in 2012, but all that seems a long time ago at the moment.

With very few changes having been made to the playing squad over the summer, it was expected that Rolland Courbis's charges would continue the sort of form that saw them finish a respectable seventh last term.

However, having been defeated 2-0 at home by newly-promoted Angers on matchday one, Montpellier backed that up by losing 1-0 away at Rennes last weekend.

It has left the men from Southern France rooted to the bottom of the table, with no goals scored and three conceded.

However, ahead of this encounter, they can at least take some solace from the home form that they showed last season; from their 19 encounters, 11 ended in victories.

Recent form: DWLLLL


PSG

PSG manager Laurent Blanc looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Paris Saint Germain and RSC Anderlecht at Parc des Princes on November 5, 2013© Getty Images

While the football may not have been exactly free flowing, two victories from two outings has made it the perfect start for Laurent Blanc and his men.

What will have pleased Blanc particularly about those two victories is the identity of the goalscorers - Lucas Moura, Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Silva. It shows that the goals are being shared around the team, rather than a reliance on strikers Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Speaking after the recent 2-0 win over Ajaccio, Blanc said: "We are on a good winning run with the nine wins from the end of last season. What I'll remember from this match, and in our games since the start of the season, is the team's concentration.

"I'm very pleased with that aspect of our game and we will keep building on that. We often say that matches at the highest level are decided by the little details. Determination and concentration are crucial in the big games. We have to maintain this level of focus, both individually and collectively, whether we're playing Barcelona or Ajaccio, to avoid any unwelcome surprises."

Of course, Blanc also has Angel di Maria to throw into the mix at some stage. The recent signing from Manchester United was introduced to the Parc des Princes crowd on Sunday, but he is currently working on his match fitness, having missed most of pre-season.

Recent form: WWWWWW


Team News

Angel di Maria greets fans prior to PSG's game with Ajaccio on August 16, 2015© AFP

He may not feature from the beginning, but there is a chance that £45m man Di Maria will be included among the substitutes for this encounter.

Elsewhere, a knee injury is still believed to be troubling Ibrahimovic, which will mean that Uruguay international Cavani once again should feature as a lone centre-forward.

Javier Pastore started the clash with Ajaccio on the bench, but reports have suggested that he is in line for a recall at the expense of youngster Jean-Kevin Augustin.

As for the home side, their attack is expected to be spearheaded by Senegal international Souleymane Camara.

Montpellier possible starting lineup:
Jourdren; Congre, Hilton, Bensebaini, Deplagne; Lasne, Martin, Dabo, Mounier, Berigaud; Camara

PSG possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Aurier, Silva, Luiz, Maxwell; Verratti, Motta, Matuidi; Pastore, Moura, Cavani


Head To Head

Of the last 13 clashes between these two sides, Montpellier have come out on top just once.

That was back in January 2014 when they won through 2-1 in a Coupe de France tie in the capital city.

Overall, from the 38 meetings, PSG have celebrated triumphs on 24 occasions, with 16 victories to Montpellier.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Montpellier 0-2 PSG

There may have only been two games played, but these teams are in completely different places, both in terms of form and confidence levels. PSG are in winning form and with the talent at Blanc's disposal, they should be able to extend Montpellier's misery for at least another week.



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Written by
Liam Apicella
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A general view of the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Paris Saint Germain and RSC Anderlecht at Parc des Princes on November 5, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG14104037112634
2Marseille1492331171429
3MonacoMonaco1492324121229
4Lille1475224141026
5Lyon147432617925
6Nice146532617923
7Lens146531712523
8Auxerre146262121020
9Reims145452018219
10Toulouse145361516-118
11Brest145182026-616
12Rennes144281820-214
13NantesNantes143561620-414
14StrasbourgStrasbourg143562227-514
15Angers143471424-1013
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne144191132-2113
17Le HavreLe Havre1440101126-1512
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier1422101336-238


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