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Montpellier
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 5
Aug 31, 2022 at 6pm UK
Stade de la Mosson
AC Ajaccio

Montpellier
2 - 0
Ajaccio

Nordin (28'), Wahi (77')
Ferri (42'), Sacko (52')
Omlin (45')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Hamouma (20'), Gonzalez (72'), Spadanuda (75')

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

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Ligue 1 clash between Montpellier HSC and Ajaccio, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After thrashing Brest 7-0 at the weekend, Montpellier HSC will look to clinch back-to-back victories when they play host to Ajaccio.

The newly-promoted side, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the season after taking only one point from their opening four matches.


Match preview

Olivier Dall'Oglio, now in charge of Montpellier, pictured in March 2021© Reuters

Montpellier have had an eventful start to the Ligue 1 season, with their four matches yielding 22 goals across two victories and two defeats.

After beginning the campaign with a 3-2 home win over Troyes, Wednesday's hosts went on to lose 5-2 and 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and Auxerre respectively.

However, they bounced back from consecutive defeats in emphatic fashion as they hammered Brest 7-0 on Sunday to claim their first away win of the season.

Elye Wahi and Valere Germain both netted braces in the comprehensive victory, while Faitout Maouassa, Wahbi Khazri and Nicolas Cozza also got on the scoresheet.

Sitting in eighth place ahead of the midweek encounter, Olivier Dall'Oglio's side will now look to record consecutive victories for the first time this season.

Olivier Pantaloni in charge of Ajaccio in 2012© Reuters

The visitors, meanwhile, are winless in their opening four games after winning promotion from Ligue 2 last season.

They began the campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Lyon before they picked up their sole point courtesy of a goalless draw against Lens.

However, they were unable to build upon that point as they lost 2-1 Rennes, ensuring that they begun the season with consecutive away defeats.

A return to home surroundings at the weekend did little to change their fortunes, with a late strike from Cyrille Bayala not enough to prevent his side from losing 3-1 to Lille.

Having conceded at least twice in three of their four matches this term, Ajaccio need to improve defensively if they are to move off the bottom of the Ligue 1 table.

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W

Ajaccio Ligue 1 form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L


Team News

Montpellier's Stephy Mavididi celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on October 17, 2021© Reuters

Montpellier have a number of injury concerns, with Dimitry Bertaud, Mamadou Sakho and Pedro Mendes expected to be absent, while Stephy Mavididi and Sacha Delaye are doubts for the midweek contest.

Teji Savanier is still suspended for the hosts, although Khalil Fayad could return to the squad after serving a one-match suspension.

Despite coming off the bench to score a brace against Brest, Germain will have to settle for a place on the bench, with Dall'Oglio set to name an unchanged lineup.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Mounaim El Idrissy, who is suspended for Wednesday's encounter.

After coming off the bench in the second half against Lille, Riad Nouri is in contention to be given a starting place.

Bevic Moussiti-Boko was also a substitute in the weekend contest, and the 27-year-old could come into the side to partner Romain Hamouma in the frontline.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Omlin; Sacko, Jullien, Cozza, Sainte-Luce; Chotard, Ferri; Nordin, Khazri, Maouassa; Wahi

Ajaccio possible starting lineup:
Leroy; Alphonse, Mayembo, Gonzalez, Diallo; Nouri, Marchetti, Mangani, Bayala; Moussiti-Oko, Hamouma


SM words green background

We say: Montpellier HSC 3-1 Ajaccio

Montpellier will be in supremely confident mood after beating Brest 7-0 in the weekend, and we think that they will cruise past an Ajaccio side, who are winless in their opening four matches.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: Montpellier vs Ajaccio

Montpellier HSC
84.1%
Draw
4.5%
Ajaccio
11.4%
44
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG16124044143040
2Marseille1593332181430
3MonacoMonaco1693426161030
4Lille1576225151027
5Lyon157442720725
6Nice156632819924
7Lens156631914524
8Auxerre156362323021
9Toulouse156361717021
10Reims155552018220
11Brest156182427-319
12Rennes155282020017
13StrasbourgStrasbourg154562527-217
14NantesNantes153571724-714
15Angers153481426-1213
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne1541101234-2213
17Le HavreLe Havre1540111129-1812
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier1523101538-239


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