The French Ligue 1 action continues on Sunday and features this upcoming clash between Montpellier and Auxerre at the Stade de la Mosson with the hosts looking to bounce back from their recent heavy 5-2 defeat away from home at PSG.
Montpellier had made a positive start to this new French top flight season though as they recorded a 3-2 home win against Troyes on the opening day of the new season and the hosts will be eyeing off a second home win on the trot on Sunday against newly promoted Auxerre.
🥇 𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗦 avez élu 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗢𝗺𝗹𝗶𝗻 joueur du match de ce #PSGMHSC 🔥🧤🇨🇭1⃣ Pénalty arrêté6⃣ Arrêts🥈 Teji Savanier🥉 Wahbi Khazri pic.twitter.com/1PEf3cdSC7— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) August 17, 2022
🥇 𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗦 avez élu 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗢𝗺𝗹𝗶𝗻 joueur du match de ce #PSGMHSC 🔥🧤🇨🇭1⃣ Pénalty arrêté6⃣ Arrêts🥈 Teji Savanier🥉 Wahbi Khazri pic.twitter.com/1PEf3cdSC7
Last season’s run-in though produced some very disappointing results for Montpellier as they managed to collect just one win from their final 13 games of the season and although the hosts avoided being involved in the relegation battle below them, these poor results nevertheless contributed to their disappointing 13th place finish in the Ligue 1 table.
Montpellier will also be keen to improve upon results on home soil as they have registered just one win from their last eight home games overall but they have won the last two meetings on the trot against Auxerre.
Montpellier are expected to be without forward Mavididi and defender Mendes due to injuries.
Auxerre claimed promotion up to Ligue 1 at the end of last season as they prevailed over their Ligue 1 counterparts, St Etienne, in the relegation/promotion play-off, winning on penalties, thus ending a 10-year absence from the French top flight.
However, the euphoria of securing their top flight status again has quickly diminished as Auxerre have quickly realised the massive task ahead of them in remaining in Ligue 1 this season following a loss and a draw in their opening two games.
An opening day 4-1 defeat away from home at Lille would have been a shock to Auxerre’s system but they did manage to grind out a point in the subsequent 2-2 draw at home with Angers.
With just one defeat out of their last 12 outings on the road in all competitions, Auxerre, will feel they have an outside chance of picking up something from this upcoming trip to Stade de la Mosson, but the visitors have numerous personnel out injured.
Forward, Sinayoko, is suspended, while defenders Bain, Pellenard and Pereira along with striker Charbonnier are all expected to miss out through injuries.
Montpellier with home advantage look set to get the nod here.