Montpellier are on the brink of breaking an unwanted record set in the 1940s for the most number of defeats in a 34-game season as they get set to host PSG this weekend. The relegated Ligue 1 side and basement team are currently on 24 losses this term, and another loss could break that mark set decades ago.
Zoumana Camara’s men did halt an 11-game losing streak with a goalless draw at home to Stade de Reims. While that point was too late in the season to bring any hope of revival, as Montpellier went back to old habits as Brest were victorious last weekend, thus pushing the relegated side further into creating an unwanted record.
Montpellier now face PSG in an absolute ‘dead rubber’ of a Ligue 1 match, with neither team set to gain or lose anything with a victory or defeat. Hence, for the hosts, it is all about pride, but facing the champions will be a formidable task in itself, particularly after what transpired with PSG this week.
Luis Enrique has masterminded a terrific season so far, as PSG are on course to challenge for the treble. Les Parisiens have already completed the first part by clinching the Ligue 1 title a few weeks ago, and they are already into the Coupe de France final, where they will face Stade de Reims.
The big story has been about their semi-final against Arsenal during the week, and Luis Enrique’s men turned up with another big performance to down the Gunners. As a result, PSG are in the Champions League final for the second time in five seasons, as they face Inter Milan in Munich.
Hence, between now and the upcoming finals, Enrique’s job is to keep this group fresh and avoid any complications through potential injury issues. As for the upcoming trip to Montpellier, PSG will regard that as a mere formality to close the Ligue 1 season, as they have another clash with Auxerre before the two finals and the opening game of the Club World Cup.
Compared to their visitors at the weekend, Montpellier have many problems to deal with as at least four players are out while there’s another who is uncertain. Christopher Jullien, Nikola Maksimovic, Modibo Sagnan, Nicolas Pays and Andy Delort are all out of contention for this clash.
The latter still has a chance to return from his illness, and should he turn up fit, then a place on the bench is more likely than on the starting team sheet. Zoumana Camara will continue with a back five, as well as a midfield four, while Junior Ndiaye leads the line on his own.
Becir Omeragic will marshall the defence from a central role, with Yael Mouanga and Lucas Mincarelli beside him, while Enzo Tchato and Theo Saint-Luce in the wider role at the back. Jordan Ferri and Rabby Nzingoula will marshall the central midfield spots, while Tanguy Coulibaly and Khalil Fayad will provide a bit of the width, as Ndiaye leads the line.
Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Lecomte; Tchato, Mouanga, Omeragic, Mincarelli, Sainte-Luce; Coulibaly, Nzingoula, Ferri, Fayad; Ndiaye
Luis Enrique will use the big depth in his squad to make considerable changes and allow most key players a rest following their win over Arsenal. One of the big reliefs for the manager will have been to see Ousmane Dembele come unscathed following his brief cameo on Wednesday as the winger was a big doubt following a hamstring issue.
Dembele is certainly one of those unlikely to play the last two league games, as PSG will focus on allowing him plenty of rest before the two finals later. There might be a case for the entire lineup that started against Arsenal barring Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola to be rested ahead of this trip to Montpellier.
That might be the case for the entire lineup that started against Arsenal barring the likes of Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola ahead of this trip to Montpellier. The duo might bring about some balance, with the latter in particular needing some sharpness ahead of the two finals later in the month.
Goncalo Ramos might get a run in the side while leading the line for PSG against Montpellier, while Lee Kang-in should be fit despite going off against Strasbourg last week. Enrique could potentially switch to a back three for this one as Lucas Beraldo and Lucas Hernandez might get a runout.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Safonov; Tape, Beraldo, Hernandez; Neves, Zaire-Emery, Lee, Mayulu; Mbaye, Ramos, Barcola
Having been tasked with the keys to Dembele’s position in the Champions League semi-final, Barcola underwhelmed once again, as there are big question marks on his performances. He has precisely two games to prove his worth to Enrique and stake a claim into the starting lineup for at least one of the upcoming finals.
Hence, it is on Barcola to put in the kind of performance against Montpellier that made him undroppable in the earlier part of the season. For now, Desire Doue is ahead of the winger, and that could still change if he was sharp against Montpellier and Auxerre in the remaining Ligue 1 games.
Montpellier are not under any pressure in Ligue 1 anymore following their relegation, although their squad is weak compared to PSG. Zoumana Camara’s men are the big underdogs coming into this game and could get beaten by a big margin given how formidable a record the Parisians have over them.
Meanwhile, PSG are set to name a changed side for this clash, and these are players hungry to prove a point in their individual quest to stake a claim in one of the teams in those Finals. Hence, expect a big performance from PSG’s fringe stars, as they are expected to score at least three and keep a clean sheet. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Luis Enrique and his charges.
