27 August 2021, 14:04 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
French Ligue 1 fixture, Lille OSC vs. Montpellier HSC kicks-off at 16:05 (GMT+1) on Sunday, August, 29 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Preview Lille Ligue 1, Aug 29, 2021
Preview Lille OSC are coming off the back of a 1-1 away draw against AS Saint-Etienne on Match Day 3. LOSC failed to hold on to a one-goal lead leaving the Green Ones to equalize, - through a towering header from Saidou Sow (85'). Before the equalizer, Burak Yilmaz (38') had put Lille in front after a generous gift in the form of a loose touch handed him a golden opportunity. The draw leaves the defending champions at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table in 17th place with 2 points after three appearances, 0W, 2D & 1L. Yet to pick up a win, Lille have a form that reads: DLD. Les Dogues have scored only 4 goals but conceded 8, - hence, they have a G.D. of -4. A very worried version of Jocelyn Gourvennec would be in the coaching seat when Montpellier comes calling on Sunday. A victory ahead of the international break would calm the nerves. However, the opposition appears to be in better shape ahead of this fixture. A 4—4—2 formation with Yilmaz and Jonathan David forming an attacking partnership could be seen from Gourvennec on Match Day 4. Lille OSC shares Group G with Sevilla FC, FC Salzburg and VfL Wolfsburg ahead of Match Day 1 in the upcoming UEFA Champions League round of fixtures slated for mid-September, - 14th and 15th. On availability, Renato Sanches is ruled out of this fixture.
Preview Montpellier Ligue 1, Aug 29, 2021
Preview In what appears to be a steady improvement since Match Day 1, Montpellier HSC secured their first win of the season last weekend. La Paillade defeated F.C. Lorient, 3-1 at the Stade de la Mosson on Sunday, August 22. Lorient finished with nine men after Houboulang Mende (R. 86') and Jerome Hergault (R. 90') were given the marching orders in the closing stages. Enzo Le Fée (21') gave Lorient the lead but Teji Savanier (50') chalked off the Lorient advantage five minutes after the break. Additional goals from Stephy Mavididi (58') and Andy Delort (83') wrapped up the three points for Montpellier. Coach Olivier Dall'Oglio was delighted with the win, knowing his side could be up for a difficult task against Lille. Montpellier are in 7th place with 4 points after three games: 1W, 1D & 1L. Dall'Oglio could adopt a 4—2—3—1 formation with Andy Delort playing upfront. Centre-back, Pedro Mendes is sidelined with a cruciate ligament rupture while goalkeeper, Jonas Omlin could miss out due to an ankle injury.