Both looking to respond after defeats in differing competitions, Montpellier HSC will welcome Toulouse to Stade de la Mosson-Mondial 98 on Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1.

The hosts returned from the international break with a loss at Nantes, while Toulouse were smashed by Liverpool in Europe on Thursday night at Anfield.

Match preview

Montpellier's three-game unbeaten streak in Ligue 1 ground to a halt last Sunday, when Nantes ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at Stade de la Beaujoire following the international pause.

Nantes did not have the lion's share of the chances in the contest but made their attacking moments count, with Florent Mollet and Kader Bamba netting either side of the half-time break to condemn Montpellier to their third loss of the league season.

After being deducted a point following crowd behaviour during their home clash with Clermont Foot earlier in the month, Michel Der Zakarian's men are now 15th in the Ligue 1 standings, only ahead of the relegation playoff zone due to their superior goal difference.

Akor Adams has adapted quickly to life in the French top flight after catching the eye in Norway at Lillestrom last term, with the Nigerian currently leading his side's goalscoring charts with five strikes in eight league appearances.

Toulouse suffered their first loss of their Europa League campaign at Anfield on Thursday night, when Jurgen Klopp's Reds outclassed their French opponents to steal all the points.

Diogo Jota put the Merseysiders ahead in the ninth minute before Thijs Dallinga equalised dramatically for the visitors, but further strikes from Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch and record-breaking Mohamed Salah made sure of the maximum for Liverpool.

After lifting the Coupe de France for only the second time in their history last term, Toulouse have the aim of improving on their 13th-placed finish in the league, and Carles Martinez's charges are currently 10th but have only won two of their first nine games.

Following an impressive 13-goal campaign for second-tier outfit Bastia in the 2022-23 term, Frank Magri secured a move to the top flight in the summer, and the two-time Cameroon international is leading his new employers' scoring charts with three league goals.

Team News

Montpellier are set to be without the services of winger Arnaud Nordin on Sunday afternoon due to a thigh injury, with the 25-year-old targeting a return to action in early November.

The hosts could make some changes to their XI after the loss at Nantes last time out, with Wahbi Khazri potentially dropping to the bench to make way for Italian Kelvin Yeboah.

Toulouse also have some absences in their winger ranks as Zakaria Aboukhlal continues to recover from a knee injury, with the Moroccan last featuring in the 1-1 draw at Union SG in the Europa League last month.

Swedish defender Oliver Zanden's time in France has been hampered by a number of injuries so far, and the 22-year-old is currently sidelined due to a hip injury sustained in the summer.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Sacko, Omeragic, Kouyate, Sylla; Chotard, Ferri; Al-Taamari, Savanier, Yeboah; Adams

Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Restes; Desler, Costa, Nicolaisen, Suazo; Schmidt, Sierro, Casseres Jr; Donnum, Gelabert, Dallinga

We say: Montpellier HSC 0-1 Toulouse

After a convincing loss at Nantes and a one-point deduction, it is fair to assume that Montpellier may not be in the best headspace to grind out a result on Sunday.

Toulouse return to domestic matters following a humbling evening at Anfield, but we believe Martinez's men will get back to winning ways this weekend.


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