MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 08:13:58| >> :120:31698:31698:

Preview: Montpellier HSC vs. Arsenal

Preview: Montpellier vs. Arsenal
© PA Photos
Arsenal take on Montpellier in France for their opening group clash in the Champions League tomorrow night.

Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign with an away trip to Ligue 1 champions Montpellier HSC in the group phase of the elite competition.

Arsene Wenger's men head into the clash on the back of a 6-1 thrashing of Southampton in the Premier League at the weekend, while Montpellier may be at a slight disadvantage after losing three of their opening five league fixtures.

England international Theo Walcott may grab a spot on the bench for Arsenal if he has recovered from a recent bout of illness, which is likely to give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a spot on the wing.

Abou Diaby could return to the fold if he is passed fit from an ankle problem, which was picked up on international duty, while Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski should start as part of a forward three tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, Montpellier boss Rene Girard is likely to include Remy Cabella and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in his starting XI after the duo were rested over the weekend.

Current form

Montpellier: DLLWL
Arsenal: DDWW

Possible lineups

Montpellier: Jourden; Bocaly, Yanga-Mbiwa, Hilton, Bedimo; Utaka, Cabella, Belhanda, Estrada, Ait-Fana; Herrera

Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud, Podolski

Sports Mole says: 0-1


ID:45657: cacheID:45657:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3517:
Written by
Danielle Joynson
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Girard admits worry
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!