Stade de la Mosson is set to host a relegation six-pointer on Sunday when Montpellier HSC take on Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1.
La Paillade will be desperate to avoid being completely cut adrift at the foot of the table, while Les Verts have the chance to escape the drop zone with a win.
Match preview
© Imago
Jean-Louis Gasset's Montpellier recorded back-to-back wins in mid-January but have since lost six on the bounce leading up to this weekend's clash.
Last time out, La Paillade followed up a 4-0 home thrashing at the hands of Reims with a 1-0 away defeat to Lille, and blanking in both of those games means that they have scored just one goal during their current losing streak, conceding 13.
Their most recent loss has stranded them at the bottom of Ligue 1, where they are now five points behind their 17th-placed opponents and six behind Le Havre in the relegation playoff spot after both of their rivals managed to earn a point.
Gasset's men will be playing in front of an entire crowd of home supporters for this crucial match after St Etienne fans were banned from travelling due to the risk of violence, though having conceded four goals in consecutive matches at Stade de la Mosson, they will be hard pressed to walk away with even a single point.
An unlikely victory could see Montpellier reduce the gap to safety to just four points by the next matchday, but in defeat they may find themselves on the brink of demotion and eight points below every other team in the division.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Eirik Horneland's St Etienne are on a nine-game winless run ahead of their trip to Montpellier, but they have picked up seven points in 2025, one more than their opponents.
Last Sunday, Les Verts drew 1-1 with fellow strugglers Le Havre, though they will be disappointed to have surrendered the lead that Lucas Stassin gave them on 10 minutes given that three points would have taken them level on points with Reims, the first team safe from the drop.
Horneland's side won this weekend's reverse fixture thanks to a Benjamin Bouchouari goal that was enough to secure a 1-0 victory back in November, but it is notable that the visitors have failed to take maximum points in any of their away matches this campaign.
In fact, St Etienne have only avoided defeat on three occasions in 2024-25 when not playing at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, and they may go into Saturday's vital game lacking confidence as a result, not to mention the lack of travelling support.
That being said, Les Verts will be motivated by the knowledge that three points could lift them as high as 15th in the table depending on results elsewhere, and that defeat could give their opponents hope in the fight for survival.
Team News
© Imago
Montpellier have a lengthy list of absentees for this weekend, including defenders Theo Saint-Luce and Kiki Kouyate, as well as midfielder Jordan Ferri, all of whom are suspended for accumulating yellow cards.
On the other hand, Khalil Fayad has served his own suspension for the same reason and should be welcomed back into the XI alongside Rabby Nzingoula and Joris Chotard in the centre of the park.
As for St Etienne, centre-back Dylan Batubinsika will be available for selection after serving a suspension against Le Havre, so expect him to start next to Mickael Nade at the heart of defence in front of goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur.
Elsewhere, striker Ibrahima Wadji could make the squad for the first time since November, though he is likely to start the game on the bench if he is ready to contribute at all.
Meanwhile, left-midfielder Benjamin Old continues to work his way back from a knee injury that has kept him out since October, and he may be back in contention towards the end of the month.
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Sacko, Mouanga, Meite, Sagnan; Coulibaly, Nzingoula, Fayad, Chotard; Savanier; Delort
Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:
Larsonneur; Macon, Batubinsika, Nade, Petrot; Moueffek, Ekwah; Cardona, Bouchouari, Davitashvili; Stassin
We say: Montpellier HSC 0-2 Saint-Etienne
Montpellier have been in disastrous form in recent weeks and their situation has not been helped by a severe lack of goals.
St Etienne have a shockingly poor record on the road, but if they are going to win an away match this season then Saturday's game will be their best chance.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
