Montpellier HSC and Saint-Etienne face off in a pre-season friendly at Stade Fernand Brasseur on Wednesday in preparation for the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season.
Sainte returned to the top-flight after two years away via the playoffs, and they have carried their late-season form into the tune-up matches for the forthcoming season.
Match preview
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Montpellier begin their Ligue 1 season in less than a month, but they have hitherto failed to notch a victory in their first two games of preparation.
La Paillade played out a 3-3 draw with Girona before losing to Southampton on Saturday, leaving Michel Der Zakarian's team heading into Wednesday's match looking to claim a win at the third time of asking.
The worry for Der Zakarian would be his team's defensive woes in which Montpellier have let in six goals in their first two matches, and they hope to find the right defensive balance in game three.
Having ended last season 12th, Montpellier's winless finish to last season has continued into their plans for the new term, but the head coach hopes for a change on Wednesday.
As for Saint-Etienne, a return to the top tier was what supporters wanted heading into their second year in Ligue 2, and the 2023-24 campaign ended with a return to the main division.
Sainte defeated Metz in the final of the playoffs at the backend of the previous term, and the Greens have carried their late-season momentum into the off-season, underlined by Saint-Etienne losing just one of their final six games of last season heading into the playoff semi-final.
Including their win over Rodez and final against Metz, the Greens have gone five competitive and non-competitive games without losing, and their pre-season has been boosted by a recent victory over Villarreal to follow a 1-1 draw with Clermont on June 20.
While the absence of clean sheets are a worry, Olivier Dall'Oglio's team have scored in every match since losing at Ajaccio in April.
With their goalscoring threat standing them in good stead heading into the new campaign, Saint-Etienne seek to continue their undefeated pre-season form on Wednesday.
Team News
Wahbi Khazri has netted three of Montpellier's goals in pre-season, and the Tunisian should play a pivotal role on Wednesday.
Khalil Fayad was absent against Southampton after going off after 30 minutes against Girona with an apparent injury, possibly ruling out the 20-year-old against Saint-Etienne.
After his brace in Saint-Etienne's win over Villarreal, Zuriko Davitashvili is pushing for a start against La Paillade.
Louis Mouton was pivotal in Sainte avoiding defeat in their draw against Clermont on July 20, and the midfield man should keep his place in the team for their third tune-up fixture.
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Sacko, Mbiayi, Omeragic, Ferri; Mamilo, Maamma; Savanier, Khazri, Adams; Nordin
Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:
Larsonneur; Appiah, Abdelhamid, Briancon, Macon; Gauthier, Mouton, Old; Davitashvili, Wadji, Boakye
We say: Montpellier HSC 1-1 Saint-Etienne
Buoyed by their win over LaLiga side Villarreal, we are backing Saint-Etienne to extend their undefeated run and continue their fine off-season form against Montpellier, whose winless start to pre-season could continue.
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