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Ligue 1 Preview: Montpellier – Lille

Les Douges will try to build on their victory over the champions when they travel south on Saturday...

Nov 21, 2009 12:03:27 PM

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Cabaye Goal (Lille vs Bordeaux)

Teams

Kick-Off: Sunday, November 22, 2009. 21:00 CET.
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier

Over Performing

Somewhere between the gutter and the stars when it comes to the history of French football, Montpellier climbed back into Le Championnat last term in nail biting fashion. Such a tough battle to win promotion really should have equated to an equally difficult fight just to stay in the top flight, but things have not materialised that way so far.

A healthy 12 points clear of the red zone, MHSC are a side confounding expectations. Their free-scoring style of last term may have been tempered just a little, but they have shored up their defence well, with the acquisition of Bosnian defender Emir Spahic a particularly astute purchase.

Despite in theory occupying a position that could secure then European football next season, Montpellier remain humble, with coach Rene Girard indicating that their target remains achieving 40 points, and with it likely salvation from immediate relegation. He stated that when they were flying high in second, but things haven’t been quite so smooth of late.

La Paillade have not won any of their last three games, with disappointing defeats against Stade Rennais and Auxerre perhaps indicating that a mid-table position is their rightful spot. Victory against Lille on Sunday evening would hint otherwise.

Under Performing

While the hosts have been out boxing sides generally considered superior to them, Lille have been doing the very opposite. Strictly speaking that is not entirely true, as Rudi Garcia have more than held their own in a Europa League group that includes Genoa and Valencia, but in Le Championnat, 14th spot is simply not an accurate reflection of their abilities.

For a handful of seasons les Dogues have been slow starters in the league before accelerating on to better things after Christmas, and the signs would point to a similar phenomenon this term. Slowly LOSC have been grinding into gear, with their zenith to date coming immediately prior to the international break, when they produced a dominant performance to utterly outplay champions and leaders Girondins de Bordeaux at home.

Too often they have misfired in attack, perhaps scoring only once when three might have been a better reflection of their efforts, but the in-form Pierre Alain Frau, who has five goals in just eight appearances, has helped to remedy that worry.

In addition, the defence has not always performed as effectively as it might have. Worries over the goalkeeping position were evident early this season, when first choice Mickael Landreau was missing with a serious knee injury. Now back fir well ahead of schedule, the former France international has excelled in his couple of games back. With Adil Rami stoical in the heart of defence, expect LOSC’s goals against to drop too.

FORM

Montpellier

DREW 1-1 (a) Valenciennes (Ligue 1 Matchday 13, November 7)

LOST 2-1 (h) Auxerre (Ligue 1 Matchday 12, October 31)

LOST 3-0 (a) Stade Rennais (Ligue 1 Matchday 10, October 24)

WON 2-1 (h) Saint-Etienne (Ligue 1 Matchday 9, October 17)

WON 3-2 (a) Grenoble (Ligue 1 Matchday 8, October 3)

Lille

WON 2-0 (h) Girondins de Bordeaux (Ligue 1 Matchday 13, November 8)

LOST 3-2 (a) Genoa (Europa League Matchday 4, November 5)

WON 2-0 (a) Grenoble Foot38 (Ligue 1 Matchday 12, October 31)

LOST 3-2 (a) Auxerre (Ligue 1 Matchday 10, October 25)

WON 3-0 (h) Genoa (Europa League Matchday 3, October 22)

TEAM NEWS

Montpellier

Suspensions hit Montpellier harder than anything this week. Alberto Costa will serve the second of a two match ban, which is a huge blow for the club given the excellent form he has displayed in the early part of this campaign. Also banned are Emir Spahic, who was sent-off against Valenciennes and Mapou Yangambiwa.

Long-term injury concern Johann Carrasso is hoping to come back in December.

Probable Starting XI: Jourdren; Benhamida, Dzodic, El Kaoutari, Jeunechamp; Marveaux, Pitau, Belhanda; Montano, Camara, Ait Fana

Lille

LOSC are a side gushing with talent, but they have not been able to translate that onto the field of late. Rudi Garcia will have virtually a complete panel from which to pick. Nicolas Plestan is the only certain absentee.

Tulio de Melo comes back from a knee injury that has severely restricted his game-time this season. A place on the bench would seem the logical place for the Brazilian.

Rudi Garcia has a plethora of options available to him, but a 4-3-3 formation with genuine wingers Gervinho and Hazard pushed on to support Pierre-Alain Frau appears the most likely set-up.

Possible Starting XI: Landreau; Debuchy, Rami, Chedjou, Beria; Balmont, Mavuba, Cabaye; Gervinho, Frau, Hazard

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Montpellier

Untested at first team level prior to this season, teenage midfielder Younes Belhanda has surpassed expectation levels this term. Having featured on ten occasions already this season, he is an established member of the starting XI and has already notched his first top flight goal. With ‘Tino’ Costa absent, his creativity, imagination and shooting power from distance could be a key tool for the hosts.

Lille

With so many options at coach Rudi Garcia, it’s tough to predict who will play a prominent role in proceedings. There is much attacking talent in the side, despite a relative lack of goals in Ligue 1, and Ivorian winger Gervinho is one of their most potent attacking weapons. He made a fairly slow start to life in the north east following a summer transfer from Le Mans, but he has simply exploded into life in recent times, posing a threat to any defence he has been faced with. He is showing the kind of form that had him linked with Barcelona.

PREDICTION

Some of the fizz that was evident in Montpellier’s performances early this season appears to have been lost of late. Though the international break might have been used to refresh them somewhat, suspensions could well take their toll on Sunday night. Lille boast a very talented side, and if they can display their wares, which they have not always been capable of on the road in recent months, they will win.

Montpellier 0-2 Lille

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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