Seeking to maintain their position in the top half of Ligue 1, Clermont host Montpellier HSC at the Stade Gabriel Montpied on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to end a run of five consecutive defeats as they sit just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

Clermont have only lost once in their last six outings in Ligue 1, and their recent upturn in form has seen them climb up to ninth in the table.

Pascal Gastien's side shared the spoils with Nantes last time out after Neto Borges fired Clermont in front in the 54th minute, before Mostafa Mohamed equalised with 17 minutes to play.

However, their run prior to the draw with Les Canaris was encouraging, as the Lancers picked up victories against Bordeaux, Ajaccio and Auxerre as well as drawing with Monaco, before losing to Brest at home.

Clermont won this game on their home patch last season, and they will be aiming to replicate that outcome once again here.

Romain Pitau remains in temporary charge of Montpellier, following the dismissal of Oliver Dall'Oglio, but he has been unable to oversee an immediate bounce, losing 2-1 to Lyon and 3-0 last time out away to Rennes.

Martin Terrier and Arnaud Kalimuendo gave Rennes the lead heading into the interval, before Amine Gouiri's late strike sealed all three points for the home side.

The result extends Montpellier's horrendous run of form, losing their past five league outings, leaving them 14th in the table, and six points behind their opponents on Sunday.

La Paillade's hopes of turning their fortunes around at the weekend could prove challenging as they have struggled on the road in recent months, losing four of their last five away trips - a surprise 7-0 thrashing of Brest in August is the exception during this run.

Above all else, Pitau needs to find a way to shore up the division's third-worst defence after 13 games - their 27 goals conceded is the club's joint-highest at this stage of any Ligue 1 season.

Team News

Clermont will welcome back Alidu Seidu after the defender was suspended against Nantes, while Maxime Gonalons and Mehdi Zeffane are ruled out with respective thigh and calf injuries.

Florent Ogier replaced Seidu last time out so he could retain his place in Clermont's defence.

Montpellier will welcome back Stephy Mavididi, Elye Wahi and Maxime Esteve, who all served one-match suspensions against Rennes.

Mamadou Sakho, Theo Sainte-Luce and Dimitry Bertaud all remain sidelined with injuries.

Bingourou Kamara is set to start in goal for the visitors as first-choice goalkeeper Jonas Omlin will be absent once again here, after coming off before half time in the defeat against Lyon.

Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Ogier, Wieteska, Caufriez; Bela, Magnin, Gastien, Borges; Cham, Khaoui; Andric

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Kamara; Souquet, Sacko, Jullien, Cozza, Maouassa; Ferri, Chotard, Savanier; Khazi, Germain

We say: Clermont 2-0 Montpellier HSC

Clermont are in much better form than their opponents coming into this clash, and we think they will follow up their draw with Nantes last weekend with a win here.

In addition, Montpellier's away record in recent weeks suggests they will not have much joy here.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email