When they meet in Sunday’s gameweek 17 fixture in the Stade de la Mosson; Montpellier HSC will be seeking their maiden win in the last six Ligue 1 games against Angers.

La Paillade has struggled in the top division for 16 years and nine points put them last in the standings, while 14th-ranked Angers SC will try to get their second consecutive top-flight win to stay up for survival.

In this new year alone, Montpellier has recorded six matches without a win in the league or the cups, and a first round defeat subjected it to a sixth consecutive loss.

Their recent disaster in the top division, a 1-0 loss to Lyon at the Groupama Stadium, is a result of their earlier 4-0 embarrassing loss to Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne in the Coupe de France round of 64.

With Coupe de France removal from the competition by much lesser-ranked team, La Paillade’s horrible season seems to explain itself.

This term, the home sides suffering is derived from their weakness at the back and their inability to possing a strong attacking force.
Jean-Louis Gasset’s team has shipped 39 goals in the league — the worst defense in the elite division — and is the only side still to keep a shutout this season.

They have performed no better in front of goal at the other end of the pitch, which has contributed to 15 goals being scored in 16 top flight matches — the joint-second worst tally in the league this season.

However, the home fans will see light at the end of the tunnel going into the match on Sunday as Gasset’s men have got all their points at home, coupled with the fact that the visiting side was on a three-match losing streak in the Stade de la Mosson.

After returning to the French top flight after a season in Ligue 2, Angers, on the other hand, have had a stronger season.

But Alexandre Dujeux's team got off to a strong start in 2025 by defeating Brest 2-0 in the league at the Stade Raymond Kopa on January 5 after defeating FC 93 Bobigny BG 1-0 in the Coupe de France.

Despite having an eight-game losing skid to begin the season, Dujeux's team has already won four of their past eight games to raise their point total to 16, two spots above the relegation zone.

Le SCO will be hoping to win the league in back-to-back games for the first time since November 1 going into this match.

But after losing their last three visits to the Stade de la Mosson, the visitors have their job cut out for them.

However, given the hosts' dismal defensive record and the fact that they have won two of their past four away games, the visitors will be rather confident going into Sunday's meeting.
With numerous first-choice players out, Gasset's defense is a worry for the host team.