After ending a six-match winless run in Ligue 1 last weekend, Montpellier HSC can claim victory in consecutive matches for the first time all season when they host Marseille on Wednesday at Stade de la Mosson.
An early goal on Sunday was all La Paillade would need to defeat Metz 1-0, while OM extended their unbeaten run in the league to five matches with a 2-1 triumph over Clermont.
Match preview
© Reuters
It was anything but straightforward, but it has rarely been that way for Montpellier this season, as they scored nine minutes into their match with Metz while surviving their share of nervous moments.
Metz had 30 touches in the Montpellier penalty area, but somehow, the visitors came away unscathed each time, putting some distance between themselves and relegation, moving five points clear of that line in 12th.
They found the back of the net in the opening half last weekend for only the sixth match in the 2023-24 Ligue 1 campaign, having suffered just one domestic defeat this season when doing so.
To this point of the campaign, Michel Der Zakarian's men have only claimed three points at home once all season (3-0 win over Toulouse), while only being in a winning position on two occasions at Stade de la Mosson, claiming a result both times.
Although it has not been a terrific start to their campaign, the 17 points gained by Montpellier matches what they achieved at this same stage a season ago.
Montpellier are winless in nine successive competitive fixtures versus Marseille, with their last victory against them occurring at home on matchday 12 of the 2018-19 campaign (3-0).
© Reuters
Another fast start was all Les Olympiens required on Sunday, winning a fourth successive match in this competition, scoring 11 goals over that stretch.
Gennaro Gattuso's men are a perfect four for four in December, with as many victories this month as they managed between May and November 2023.
Marseille have picked up 20 points at home domestically in 2023-24, more than anyone in Ligue 1, though they have been a different team outside the Stade Velodrome, losing four of their last six away fixtures in this competition but winning their first road match of the campaign two weeks ago (4-2 versus Lorient).
Their four goals scored at Lorient were as many as this team managed in their previous six Ligue 1 away fixtures combined before that.
After failing to win three of their opening four domestic encounters this season when scoring first, Les Phoceens have been much better at preserving advantages lately, winning five successive matches in this competition after drawing first blood.
At Stade de la Mosson, OM have been particularly potent in recent visits, scoring eight goals in their last three games played there, while only being held off the scoresheet once in their previous 10 matches at Montpellier.
Team News
© Reuters
Boubakar Kouyate missed the previous Montpellier match through suspension, while Issiaga Sylla and Arnaud Nordin were sidelined because of groin strains.
Leo Leroy is unlikely to feature on Wednesday because of a sore groin, Theo Sainte-Luce may be at least another week away from recovering from his ankle sprain and Wahbi Khazri will not return until early January due to a thigh injury.
On Sunday, an early strike courtesy of Maxime Esteve enabled La Paillade to defeat Metz, with Benjamin Lecomte collecting his second successive clean sheet.
Les Olympiens will be without captain Valentin Rongier, who continues to recover from his knee surgery, while Joaquin Correa is unlikely to feature due to an ankle injury.
Iliman Ndiaye and Jonathan Clauss are eligible to return to the Marseille lineup, having each being forced out of their weekend fixture because of suspensions.
Amir Murillo and Amine Harit each scored for the first time in their Ligue 1 careers with OM, enabling their side to hang onto a victory over Les Lanciers.
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Tchato, Omeragic, Jullien, Esteve; Ferri, Fayad, Savanier, Yeboah, Chotard; Al-Tamari
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Lopez; Mbemba, Gigot, Balerdi; Clauss, Veretout, Gueye, Harit; Ounahi; Aubameyang, Vitinha
We say: Montpellier HSC 0-1 Marseille
Marseille are starting to find ways to win, and their attacking depth should be enough to defeat a Montpellier side who are much more compact defensively on home soil but are not quite as dynamic when in possession.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
