Following a disappointing 2021-22 season, Montpellier HSC will set its sights on getting off to a winning start when it welcomes Troyes to Stade de la Mosson on Sunday with kickoff at 4 pm.
At the halfway stage of the 2021-22 campaign, Montpellier was fifth in Ligue 1 and looked to finish in the top half of the table for the fifth consecutive season.
However, they fell away in the second half of the season, winning three of their final 19 games, and finished 13th. Their poor form continued into pre-season, as they lost all five friendlies. Olivier Dall’Oglio will be particularly concerned by his side’s defensive frailties after conceding nine goals across their past two friendly encounters against Toulouse and Crystal Palace.
Despite struggling in pre-season, Montpellier will at least be hopeful of claiming a positive result on Saturday after losing just one of their previous ten Ligue 1 matches against Troyes.
Troyes finished five points behind Montpellier in Ligue 1 last season, but they would have considered the campaign a success. Promoted to the top flight for the first time since 2010-11, Troyes ended up six points clear of the relegation zone in 15th place last term and will be aiming for a similar position this time around.
Montpellier vs Troyes Head to Head
Both sides have 12 games against each other with hosts taking five wins while visitors with two wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Crystal Palace 4-2 Montpellier
- Montpellier 0-2 Clermont
- Espanyol 2-0 Montpellier
- Angers 2-0 Montpellier
Away
- Auxerre 1-0 Troyes
- Troyes 3-0 Le Havre
- Metz 4-0 Troyes
- Toulouse 6-1 Troyes
Montpellier Team News
Montpellier will be without the services of Jordan Ferri, who will serve a one-match suspension that carries over from last season. Most of Dall’Oglio’s summer signings could make their competitive debuts against Nice, including Wahbi Khazri and Arnaud Nordin, who arrived from St Etienne.
Troyes Team News
As for the visitors, Karim Azamoum is a long-term injury absentee, and Adil Rami is a doubt for Troyes’ season opener against Ajaccio on Sunday. Bruus and Porozo could make their official debuts for Troyes after starting the friendly win over Nancy last weekend.
Prediction and Odds
While Montpellier’s struggles at the end of last season continued into pre-season, we still think they’ll manage to take at least one point from Sunday’s contest with Troyes.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Goals Under 3.5
