Montpellier HSCvsAS Saint-Etienne

Clash of the Strugglers

Montpellier HSC and AS Saint-Etienne are set to face off in a crucial Ligue 1 encounter. Both teams are battling to escape the lower echelons of the league table. Montpellier sits precariously in 17th place, while Saint-Etienne is slightly better off in 15th. The stakes couldn't be higher as both teams look to secure vital points.

Montpellier's Rollercoaster

Montpellier's season has been a rollercoaster. They've managed just 5 wins in 19 matches, with their recent form showing 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. Their last outing saw them edge out Toulouse 1-2, but consistency has been their Achilles' heel. With an average of 1.12 goals per match, Montpellier's games are often high-scoring affairs. Key players like Arnaud Nordin and Wahbi Khazri will need to step up if they are to turn their fortunes around.

Saint-Etienne's Away Prowess

Saint-Etienne, on the other hand, has shown resilience on the road. They are unbeaten in their last four away matches and have a winning streak of three consecutive away games. Despite their defensive frailties, conceding 52 goals this season, they have managed to score in their last eight matches. Players like Zuriko Davitashvili and Ibrahim Sissoko will be crucial in breaking down Montpellier's defense.

Historical Edge

Historically, Saint-Etienne has had the upper hand in this fixture. They have won 22 of the last 39 meetings against Montpellier. The most common result when these two teams meet is a 1-0 victory for Saint-Etienne. However, with both teams' current form, a high-scoring game seems likely. Montpellier has not won against Saint-Etienne in their last four encounters, and this trend might continue.

Prediction

Given Saint-Etienne's recent away form and historical dominance over Montpellier, they are likely to edge this encounter. Expect both teams to find the net, but Saint-Etienne's attacking prowess should see them through. A 2-1 victory for the visitors seems on the cards.