The defending champions are still looking to launch their title defence, with only a single point from the opening three games of the season.
La Paillade are sitting 18th on the table and will travel to fellow early-season strugglers, Sochaux, on Saturday.
FC Sochaux-Montbeliard
Eric Hely’s side is the only team to have lost all three of their matches so far in the Ligue 1 this season. With zero points so far, they are at the bottom of the table.
This is the worst start for Sochaux since the 1982/1983 campaign, and the coach, Eric Hely would want to avoid another defeat, when they entertain the reigning champions at Stade Auguste Bonal this Saturday.
Montpellier HSC
La Paillade have attracted a huge amount of criticism after their poor start to the season. Last week, club president, Louis Nicollin, slammed his players for failing to kick-start their season on a high note.
However, MHSC goalkeeper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Geoffrey-Jourdren-c14538, is not worried about his side’s temporary drop in the form.
While talking to reporters in a pre-match press conference, the shot-stopper stated that the players are disappointed from this and want to improve.
Results are not going their way at the moment and Jourdren believes that it won’t be long before Montpellier hit top form.
"In terms of the football we're playing and the team's attitude and spirit, things are fine, it's just the results aren't there to back it up.”
“Honestly, no-one has got a big head after last season, like some people are saying. It's just that at the moment luck isn't on our side. But we are trying to turn it around. It's not panic stations yet, it's only Week 4 of the season."
History
The hosts boast a good record against their Saturday opponents. Sochaux have hosted Montpellier 15 times in the top tier, with Les Lionceaux winning seven, drawing five and losing on just three occasions.
Last season, Rene Girard’s men registered a comfortable 3-1 win over Les Lionceaux at Stade de la Mosson, with Olivier Giroud scoring a hat-trick.
However in the reverse fixture at Stade Auguste Bonal, Sochaux managed get away with a narrow win over their opponents, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ryad-Boudebouz-c31970 scoring the only goal of the match for the hosts.
Team News
FC Sochaux-Montbeliard
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Sauget-c10597 is a major doubt for the match despite returning to the training last week.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Camara-c8277 also missed the training and has failed to return to full fitness in time for the match.
In addition to that, Edouard Butin and Kevin Duplus are also on the sidelines with a knee injury. And http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sébastien-Corchia-c32800 is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the game against Reims last week.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Montpellier-HSC-c39945
Full-back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marco-Estrada-c23693 is also available after shrugging off a minor injury.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jamel-Saihi-c17676, is available after serving his two-game ban, following his sending off in the opening match of the season against Toulouse.
Prediction
Both sides have started the competition on a bad note and are in dire need of a win. Montpellier Herault would see this match as an ideal opportunity to kick-start their title defence, and Rene Girard would not accept anything but a victory in that game.
Final predicted score: Sochaux 0-1 Montpellier
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