Troyes will be looking to steer themselves further clear of the Ligue 1 relegation zone when they host Montpellier HSC at Stade de l'Aube on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts are 16th in the table, just one point clear of the bottom four, while the visitors could be drawn into the relegation battle if they lose, considering they are in 14th place.
Match preview
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Having finished 15th in Ligue 1 last season, Troyes are faring roughly how they would have been expected to, and it looks as though they could be in real trouble if they do not improve their form.
ESTAC have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions, drawing the other match, and what is really concerning is that they have been on the receiving end of some very heavy losses during that time.
Patrick Kisnorbo's side lost 5-1 away at Lille, and 4-1 against Toulouse, meaning that they now have the worst defensive record in the division, having conceded 52 in 23 games.
In fairness, recent fixtures have been very tough, and so Sunday's game will give Troyes the opportunity to test themselves against a team around their level, with just four points separating the two sides in the league table.
Last time out, ESTAC lost 4-0 away at Reims, after producing just two shots on target in the entire match, and a much-improved performance will be necessary this weekend.
Montpellier have also had a difficult 2022-23 campaign, at one stage going on a run of just one win in 10 Ligue 1 games, and they are just five points clear of the relegation zone.
Much like their opponents, La Paillade have struggled defensively, conceding the most goals of any team outside the bottom three, although they have started to improve in this regard of late.
In their last match, Mikel Der Zakarian's side ran out 3-0 winners at home to Brest after a dominant display, providing some much-needed breathing room above the relegation zone.
Against teams around their level, Montpellier have fared well for the majority of the season, picking up an important win away at Auxerre at the end of their last month, and so they should be confident heading into this weekend's game.
In the reverse fixture, La Paillade ran out 3-2 winners at Stade de la Mosson, and a similarly high-scoring game should probably be expected on Sunday, given the defensive records of both teams.
Team News
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Troyes' injury list has grown considerably in recent weeks, with Florian Tardieu now ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles tendon issue, while defender Andreas Bruus is also unavailable.
In the absence of Bruus, Thierno Balde is expected to play at right-wing back, while Xavier Chavalerin, Lucien Agoume and Jeff Reine-Adelaide are in line for starts in the engine room, given Tardieu's absence.
Mama Balde is the main attacking threat for Kisnorbo's side, having scored nine goals in Ligue 1 so far this season, and the 27-year-old should lead the line alongside Rony Lopes.
Montpellier also have some injury issues to deal with, as striker Stephy Mavididi has recently been ruled out, meaning Elye Wahi is poised to start up front after netting the third goal in the rout against Brest.
Fellow forward Beni Makouana will also be unavailable, as will long-term absentees Theo Sainte-Luce and Pedro Mendes.
Troyes possible starting lineup:
Gallon; Palmer-Brown, Salmier, Porozo; Balde, Reine-Adelaide, Agoume, Chavalerin, Larouci; Lopes, Balde
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Sacko, Jullien, Kouyate, Sylla; Ferri, Savanier, Leroy; Nordin, Maouassa, Wahi
We say: Troyes 2-3 Montpellier HSC
Given that Montpellier have shown some improved signs in recent weeks, we expect them to emerge as narrow victors, in what should be an end-to-end game with plenty of goals.
La Paillade are heading into the match off the back of a confidence-boosting victory, while Troyes have been in very poor form for a long time, and we cannot see that changing on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
