Montpellier Vs Angers

Montpellier HSC, facing the looming threat of relegation, will seek to end their disappointing run in Ligue 1 when they host Angers SCO at the Stade de la Mosson for their gameweek 17 clash on Sunday. This match holds significant importance for both teams, with Montpellier desperately needing a victory to stave off the possibility of relegation, while Angers aims to continue their push for survival in the top flight.

Montpellier’s plight in the league has been a grim one. The club’s 16-year tenure in France’s top division is under severe threat, as they find themselves anchored to the bottom of the Ligue 1 standings with just nine points after 16 matches. This poor run leaves them in 20th place, trailing the teams above them by a considerable margin. Their position at the bottom reflects a season marred by defensive frailties and an inability to find the back of the net, a combination that has left them struggling to make any real progress. They have managed only two victories this season, a statistic that highlights the depth of their struggles. Despite this, the team’s home form could offer a glimmer of hope. They will enter this game at the Stade de la Mosson with the belief that their home advantage can provide the lift they so desperately need. The home crowd will be urging their team on, knowing that Montpellier's survival chances are dwindling with every passing match.

In stark contrast to Montpellier’s dismal season, Angers have had a somewhat more positive experience since their return to Ligue 1 after spending the previous campaign in Ligue 2. The Black and Whites, under manager Alexandre Dujeux, have shown moments of promise despite a slow start to their top-flight campaign. Angers’ league form has been more consistent, although they too have faced their own set of challenges, particularly in terms of securing victories away from home. Their opening part of the season was less than ideal, with the team enduring an eight-game winless streak that raised serious questions about their ability to remain in the top division. However, Angers have slowly turned things around, with their recent performances suggesting they are finding their feet. They ended 2024 with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Rennes at Roazhon Park, but bounced back strongly in the Coupe de France, securing a 1-0 win over FC 93 Bobigny BG, which allowed them to begin the year on a positive note. The team continued their strong run in January with a solid 2-0 victory over Brest at the Stade Raymond Kopa, giving them a much-needed boost as they look to push further away from the relegation zone.

Angers currently sit 14th in the league, just above the relegation zone, with 16 points from their 16 matches. Their record includes four wins in their last eight games, a strong contrast to the early struggles that saw them fail to win a single match during their first eight outings. This recent form has instilled a sense of confidence in the team as they head into their fixture against Montpellier. Angers will be looking to build on their recent success by securing consecutive league victories for the first time since early November, which would further enhance their chances of staying clear of relegation. However, their task is not an easy one. Despite their recent form, Angers will be fully aware of their poor track record at the Stade de la Mosson. They have lost their last three visits to Montpellier’s home ground, a statistic that will weigh on their minds as they prepare for the clash.

Montpellier’s recent form has been nothing short of disastrous, and their most recent results have done little to suggest a turnaround is on the horizon. Their winless streak now extends to six matches across all competitions, with their most recent defeat coming in the opening match of 2025, a 1-0 loss to Lyon at the Groupama Stadium. This defeat followed a humiliating 4-0 loss to Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne in the Coupe de France round of 64, a result that added further to the growing frustration surrounding the team. Montpellier’s early exit from the Coupe de France at the hands of a lower-league side only serves to underline the depth of their struggles this season. The loss to Lyon, while not unexpected, was another indication that the team has been unable to halt their downward spiral.

At the heart of Montpellier’s issues this season lies their woeful defensive record. The team has conceded 39 goals in Ligue 1, the highest total in the league, and they remain the only team in the top division without a single clean sheet this season. Their defensive woes have been compounded by a lack of attacking threat, with just 15 goals scored in their 16 league matches. This puts them joint-second from the bottom in terms of goals scored, a statistic that further highlights their struggles at both ends of the pitch. Montpellier's inability to stop goals from being conceded and their failure to score themselves have combined to create a toxic environment for the team, making survival in Ligue 1 increasingly difficult with each passing week. Their two victories and three draws this season have not been enough to lift them out of the relegation zone, and they now find themselves seven points adrift of safety, a margin that seems increasingly insurmountable.

Despite these challenges, Montpellier will cling to the hope that their home form can provide the spark needed to turn their season around. All of their points this season have come at the Stade de la Mosson, where they have a perfect record, and they will take some comfort in the fact that Angers have struggled on the road, having lost their last three matches at this venue. However, Montpellier’s defensive frailties and lack of attacking firepower mean that they cannot afford to take anything for granted, especially with a side like Angers coming to town, one that has shown resilience in recent weeks.

For Angers, the key to success will be building on their recent victories and continuing to improve their form on the road. Their recent performances, including a notable win over Brest, have shown that they are capable of competing at a high level. However, their task will be made all the more difficult by their recent record at the Stade de la Mosson. Despite their improved league standing, Angers will need to overcome their historical struggles in Montpellier if they are to take anything from this encounter. With Montpellier’s defense in such disarray, Angers will likely fancy their chances of scoring and potentially securing a crucial three points in their fight for survival. Montpellier’s defensive frailties could provide Angers with the perfect opportunity to continue their recent good run, but they must also be wary of the threat that the home side will pose, especially in front of their own fans.

Ultimately, this match will be a vital one for both teams as they battle to avoid relegation. Montpellier’s survival hopes rest on their ability to turn their form around and find a way to break their winless streak. With Angers also desperate for points to remain above the relegation zone, this game promises to be an intense and closely contested affair. Montpellier will have to address their defensive shortcomings and find a way to be more clinical in front of goal, while Angers will look to build on their recent victories and prove that they are capable of securing their place in Ligue 1 for another season. As the teams take to the pitch at the Stade de la Mosson, all eyes will be on the outcome of this crucial encounter, with both sides knowing that the stakes couldn’t be higher in the battle for survival.