Montpellier HSC will host AS Monaco at the Stade de la Mosson on Friday, aiming to break their winless streak as they fight against relegation. Currently sitting at the bottom of the Ligue 1 standings, Montpellier has struggled massively this season, winning only two matches out of 17 and collecting just nine points.
Montpellier's recent performance has been dismal, with their last outing resulting in a 3-1 defeat against Angers. This loss forced coach Jean-Louis Gasset to acknowledge the dire situation, labeling the quest for survival as "mission impossible." Injuries and suspensions have compounded their problems. Key players including Kiki Kouyate and Jordan Ferri are both suspended after being sent off against Angers. Ferri, who had recently taken on captaincy duties after Téji Savanier's demotion, will miss not only this match but also two more fixtures due to his dismissal. To make matters worse, they are also without Nikola Maksimovic for the remainder of the season following a serious injury.
On the other side of the pitch, AS Monaco retains third place in the league, clinging to Champions League qualification hopes. Despite the recent signings, including Mika Biereth, who could be making his first start after debuting off the bench during the Coupe de France, Monaco has also seen their share of turbulent results. They suffered elimination from the Cup by Reims last week after losing on penalties, extending their winless streak to three games.
Both teams come to this clash with patched-up lineups. Monaco is dealing with the absence of several key players, including George Ilenikhena, Folarin Balogun, and Christian Mawissa. The absence of these players will force Monaco to rely on other talent, including attacking midfielder Eliesse Ben Seghir, who has been exceptional this season with five goals and three assists. Ben Seghir will look to capitalize on Montpellier’s porous defense, which has conceded 42 goals this season.
Betting odds reflect the disparity between the two sides, with Monaco favored at 8/15 to win. A Montpellier victory stands at 9/2, with draws priced at 16/5. Given Montpellier’s defensive woes, there is heavy anticipation of over 2.5 total goals at odds of 1/2. This encounter marks yet another opportunity for Monaco, who has triumphed historically over Montpellier, winning 47 out of 78 encounters.
Historically, the two teams have faced off numerous times, with Montpellier only managing 10 victories compared to Monaco's 47 wins. Last season witnessed Monaco achieve league doubles over Montpellier, both times winning 2-0. Despite both teams struggling recently, the present gap between them seems too large for Montpellier to bridge, especially with their lackluster home performances where they’ve only secured nine of their league points.
Head coach Gasset will have to devise creative strategies to shore up his faltering side. The likely lineup for Montpellier includes Benjamin Lecomte; Issiaga Sylla, Modibo Sagnan, Becir Omeragic, Enzo Tchato; Khalil Fayad, Joris Chotard, Rabby Nzingoula; Téji Savanier, Akor Adams, Musa Al-Taamari.
Meanwhile, Monaco's projected lineup could see them opt for Radoslaw Majecki; Caio Henrique, Mohammed Salisu, Thilo Kehrer, Vanderson; Jordan Teze, Lamine Camara; Eliesse Ben Seghir, Takumi Minamino, Maghnes Akliouche; and Mika Biereth upfront. This combination, if successful, could help Monaco return to form against seemingly insurmountable odds.
The stakes are high for Montpellier as this match could serve as the turning point for their season, but facing off against one of Ligue 1's top teams isn’t just what they need right now. A victory is imperative, as any positive result could momentarily lift them out from the league's abyss.
Expectations are low for the home side, as many predict another loss with predictions settling around Montpellier 1-2 Monaco. This match will not only present opportunities for player performance evaluations but also set the tone for both clubs heading beyond this weekend's match.