Striving for consistency under Patrick Vieira, Strasbourg welcome Montpellier HSC to the Stade de la Meinau on Sunday as Ligue 1 returns following the international break.
While the hosts have recorded two wins and two losses this season, the visitors have taken four points from a possible 12, meaning that both sides will be eager to triumph this weekend.
Match preview
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The jury is still out on Patrick Vieira's credentials as a top-level manager after the 47-year-old's inconsistent start to life at Strasbourg, with the former Arsenal midfielder overseeing two wins and two defeats since arriving at La Meinau.
After recording a 39.3% win ratio as Nice manager between 2018 and 2020, Vieira won just 22 of his 74 games in charge of Crystal Palace between 2021 and 2023, meaning that he departed Selhurst Park with a win ratio of 29.7% following his sacking in March.
Vieira guided Strasbourg to a 2-1 victory over Lyon on the opening weekend, but Le Racing endured a 3-0 defeat to Monaco in their next match, managing a solitary attempt on target against Les Monegasques.
Following a 2-0 win over Toulouse, Strasbourg suffered a 2-0 defeat against Nice before the international break, failing to register a single shot on target while seeing just 37% of the ball, with the hosts racking up 16 attempts on RCSA's goal.
That said, the Alsace outfit boast a 100% record at the Stade de la Meinau this season, meaning that Vieira will be confident of inspiring a third successive home victory on Sunday.
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Montpellier, on the other hand, return from the international break on a two-game losing run, having fallen to Reims and Lille prior to the two-week layoff, so Michel Der Zakarian will be looking for a big response from his players this weekend.
Despite chalking up a whopping 20 shots on home soil, Montpellier suffered a 3-1 defeat to Reims, while La Paillade were also wasteful against Lille last time out, recording a 1-0 loss at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
It is worth remembering, however, that Montpellier took four points from their opening two matches, scoring six goals in the process, with a 2-2 draw against Le Havre preceding a 4-1 crushing of Lyon at Groupama Stadium.
After bagging a brace on the opening weekend, new signing Akor Adams found the back of the net once again in the thrashing of Lyon, while fellow newcomer Musa Al-Tamari bagged a double against Les Gones before scoring in the defeat at Reims.
There is no denying that Montpellier's new-look forward line poses a serious attacking threat, but Der Zakarian's men will need to improve defensively if they are to build on last season's 12th-placed finish.
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Team News
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Strasbourg are still without 18-year-old defender Steven Baseya and 40-year-old goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima due to injury, meaning that Belgian stopper Matz Sels will continue between the sticks for the hosts.
Vieira has deployed an attacking 3-4-3 formation so far this season, with Habib Diarra, Emanuel Emegha and Jessy Deminguet operating in attack, although veteran striker Kevin Gameiro is pushing for a start.
Former Aston Villa man Frederic Guilbert will continue to feature at right-wing back for Le Racing, while Thomas Delaine is expected to operate on the opposite flank.
On the flip side, Montpellier's sole injury absentee is defender Theo Sainte-Luce, who has made just four competitive appearances since August 2022 as he continues to strive for full fitness.
Having both scored three goals in four games this term, Akor Adams and Mousa Al-Tamari will continue to lead the way up front, with ex-Sunderland forward Wahbi Khazri and captain Teji Savanier providing attacking support.
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Sels; Perrin, Nyamsi, Sylla; Guilbert, Doukoure, Sissoko, Delaine; Diarra, Emegha, Deminguet
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Sacko, Omeragic, Kouyate, Sylla; Leroy, Chotard; Al-Tamari, Savanier, Khazri; Adams
We say: Strasbourg 2-1 Montpellier HSC
Although Strasbourg have struggled for consistency this season, Vieira's side have won both of their home games, scoring two goals against Lyon and Toulouse.
With that in mind, we expect the hosts to claim all three points on Sunday, although Montpellier are expected to push Le Racing all the way.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
