La Paillade would be hoping to put their woeful domestic form behind, as the reigning Ligue 1 champions prepare to make their debut in the Champions League against Arsenal on Tuesday.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Montpellier-HSC-c39945
The hosts have started the 2012/2013 season in a worst possible manner with just 4 points after five games in the league.
And coach, Rene Girard, has admitted that his side needs to improve considerably if they want to succeed in Europe's premier competition.
MHSC are participating in the Champions League for the first time in their history and coach wants to progress as further as possible. However, as things stand, odds are not in the favour of the Ligue 1 outfit.
Arsenal FC
Arsenal, on the other hand, are in great form at the moment. The Premier League giants haven’t lost a single game in the 2012/2013 season and have scored six goals in their last outing at the Emirates stadium.
Despite losing the services of their star player, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380, the Gunners have started the season in great fashion.
Olivier Giroud, who moved to Arsenal from Montpellier in the summer, will add to the excitement of match, as he will be facing his former side for the first time.
To make things more miserable for Rene Girard’s side, Arsenal are coming on the back of a fantastic record in France. The London giants have never lost an away game in France, and Wenger would be hoping to win their opening match of the Champions League
campaign against a side, who are not anywhere at their best at the moment.
Team News
Montpellier
MHSC’s coach, Remi Garde would welcome back his captain, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who has just returned to full fitness.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jamel-Saihi-c17676 is also on the sidelines.
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger would be hoping to have http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 is expected to start the match after scoring a brilliant goal in Arsenal’s last league game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463 is still some time away from the first team action and Tomas Rosicky is also unavailable for the opening match of the Champions League campaign.
Along with that, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148 and Emmanuel Frimpong are also on the sidelines.
Probable Line-ups
Montpellier
Jourden, Bocaly, Yanga-Mbiwa, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hilton-c16219, Bedimo, Utaka, Cabella, Belhanda, Estrada, Ait-Fana, Herrera
Arsenal
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs,
Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gervinho-c14755, Giroud, Podolski
Players to watch
Younes Belhanda – Montpellier
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Morocco-c2961 international has been a great asset for the reigning French champions over the last couple of years. And Montpellier will look to the midfielder to make things happen against Arsene Wenger’s side.
The 22-year-old is a talented player who can torment the opponents on his day. If given space and time, the youngster could really hurt Arsenal’s chances of getting all three points from their opening game of the campaign.
Olivier Giroud – Arsenal
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 international was scoring goals for pleasure for Montpellier last season but has failed to find the back of the net in Arsenal colours so far.
However, the 25-year-old would see a trip back to his former side as a perfect stage to score his first Arsenal goal.
Match Prediction
If we look at both sides, Arsenal are the clear favourites to nick a comfortable win on Tuesday. However, in football, one can never be sure.
Montpellier have the ability to beat anyone on their day and Arsenal need to be at their best if they want to get maximum points out of that game.
Final Predicted Score: Montpellier 1-2 http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429
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