Montpellier HSC and Nantes square off on Sunday afternoon with just one point separating the two teams in the Ligue 1 standings.
Despite the close proximity of the 14th and 15th-placed sides, Nantes make the trip to Stade de la Mosson in far better form than their hosts.
Match preview
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As long as Nantes sit close to the relegation zone, there will be concerns that they could remain embroiled in a battle to remain in Ligue 1 during the second half of the campaign.
However, Antoine Kombouare's side are performing far more consistently than the teams below them, now suffering just one defeat in eight games.
Their recent encouraging run was extended earlier this week as they held Lyon to a goalless draw, posting their third clean sheet in succession.
Although Les Canaris have still won just three league matches during 2022-23, nine draws is making the difference, the gap to the bottom four now standing at four points.
Nevertheless, ahead of trips to Montpellier and Clermont, Nantes remain without an away victory in the league in nine attempts.
When Montpellier ended 2022 with a surprise win at Lorient, Romain Pitau would have felt that the World Cup break had done his team the power of good.
Since then, though, Montpellier have suffered three successive defeats, losing to lower-league Pau in the Coupe de France before being thrashed 6-1 by managerless Nice.
Pitau's side conceded at regular intervals in the South of France, leaving La Paillade just three points above the drop zone with the third-worst defensive record in the division.
While a win over Nantes or Auxerre would significantly improve Montpellier's standing, Pitau is aware that he will come under increasing pressure if he cannot engineer a turnaround in form versus either of those teams.
Team News
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Pitau is expected to make numerous changes to his Montpellier side with Mamadou Sakho in line to be recalled to the defence.
Arnaud Nordin and Wabhi Khazri are also in contention for opportunities in the final third, as are Nicolas Cozza and Joris Chotard in defensive positions.
Nantes will be able to call upon midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy, who was absent in midweek through serving a one-match ban.
However, while Kombouare may opt to keep him in reserve, at least one alteration will be made due to Quentin Merlin sustaining an adductor injury.
That should see Charles Traore come into the team for just his second league start of the season.
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Omlin; Sacko, Jullien, Sakho, Cozza; Ferri, Leroy; Nordin, Savanier, Khazri; Wahi
Nantes possible starting lineup:
Lafont; Centonze, Castelletto, Girotto, Merlin; Guessand, Sissoko, Chirivella, Simon; Mohamed, Blas
We say: Montpellier HSC 0-1 Nantes
Having conceded six times to Nice, Montpellier will naturally be paying more consideration to the defensive side of their game on Sunday. That may let in a resolute Nantes side to edge this match by a solitary goal, further extending their improving run of results.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
