Montpellier HSC will start the process of climbing out of relegation zone in Ligue 1 when they host Monaco at the Stade de la Mosson on Friday.
Both sides have not been in the best form of the season, however Monaco has barely maintained its position in the top three.
It could only appear that Montpellier only has to go somewhere and despite the changes which occurred during the season the manager Jean-Louis Gasset failed to bring the team to a better shape.
In light of the Ormond L Graphic 2 for five other clubs, which had lost as many as 17 games points as Ligue 1 this season, all have tended to be relegated by the season’s end, with the most recent having been Angers in season 2022-2023.
Without a shutout in their last 23 games is a new club record and one that is definitely affecting the team; this streak Sty is the longest in Ligue 1 at the moment and that is why they are at the very bottom seven points from safety.
As in the previous matchweek last Tuesday, no team in the current five top leagues of Europe has so far scored 100% of the points only at home as Montpellier, but the team returned empty-handed from this important game with Angers.
Both teams went into the match knowing that nothing less than a victory would suffice for any of parties, Angers came out of the Stade de la Mosinn with all the spoils having beaten Montpellier 3-1 some of which was the making of the latter by the way they shot themselves in the foot by receiving two red cards in the later part of the match.
Which means that the 2011-12 Ligue 1 champions have failed to put up any good show in their initial two games of 2025, let alone retaliate after the ‘relegation’ against fourth-tier Le Puy in the Coupe de France prior to Christmas.
And it does not get easier for the league’s bottom dwellers either because the next eight games will be more harder for them where they will come up against Lens, Lyon, Nice, Rennes, Lille and Monaco in their forthcoming fixtures.
No side in Ligue 1 history has defeated Monaco more frequently (35 times in 61 games), therefore they won't be welcomed guests.
However, following a spectacular start that saw them take the lead around the end of October, Hutter's guys have encountered some difficulties.
Monaco is now in 12th place in the form table after returning from the international break that month. They have only managed 12 points out of a possible 30, and their current winless streak of three games is the longest they have experienced under Hutter.
Hutter has won all three of their previous encounters with Montpellier, while Monaco has won their past two visits without giving up, but a loss here would put them on their longest losing streak away from home in over three years.
Monaco is still just within the top three following a 2-2 draw with Nantes last week, but Nice in particular is gaining ground and could pass them this weekend unless the principality team responds.
However, a penalty-shoot-out loss to Reims in the Coupe de France in midweek will have damaged morale, so Hutter will be hoping his team can regain some confidence before Tuesday's crucial Champions League match against Aston Villa.
Last week's loss to Angers witnessed moments of insanity that reduced Montpellier to nine men; Jordan Ferri's straight red and Kiki Kouyate's two bookings equaled the suspensions for this one.
With Villa coming up in a few days, Hutter might be tempted to rotate for this one, but a lot of his reserve players are currently dealing with injuries.
Monaco moved quickly to sign Sturm Graz attacker Mika Biereth this month. The 21-year-old set up the equalizer off the bench on his debut in midweek, but his general match fitness is still in doubt. He scored on French soil in his final game for the team at Lille.
Aleksandr Golovin has suffered an ankle injury in the last week, and Denis Zakaria and Takumi Minamino have also been dealing with illness. All three players are still doubtful.
