Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Ligue 2 2025/26

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Match Preview

Monday night football returns to the Stade de la Mosson on 5 January 2026, as Montpellier HSC host USL Dunkerque in a vital Ligue 2 clash. This fixture marks the resumption of the league campaign after the winter break and Coupe de France action. Montpellier, currently 8th with 25 points, are looking to bridge the gap to the promotion playoff spots but have struggled for consistency, winning just one of their last four league games. Dunkerque, the season’s surprise package, sit 6th with 27 points and could leapfrog into the top 5 with a victory. The visitors arrive in good form, having won three of their last four matches across all competitions.

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Match Info

• Competition: Ligue 2 BKT (Matchday 18)
• Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier (Capacity: 20,484)
• Date: Monday, 5 January 2026
• Kickoff: 20:45 CET | 19:45 GMT
• Referee: Alexandre Perreau Niel (FRA)

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Match Stakes

Montpellier HSC (8th — 25 pts):

• Win → Moves to 28 pts; overtakes Dunkerque and re-ignites their push for immediate promotion back to Ligue 1.
• Draw → Keeps them in mid-table limbo; extends unbeaten home run but frustration grows among fans.
• Loss → Gap to the top 5 widens to 5+ points; pressure mounts on the manager to fix the home form.

USL Dunkerque (6th — 27 pts):

• Win → Moves to 30 pts; cements their status as genuine promotion contenders.
• Draw → A solid point away at a former Ligue 1 giant; maintains their spot in the top 6.
• Loss → Drops them into the pack; allows Montpellier and others to close the gap.

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Team News

Montpellier HSC:

• Ngapandouetnbu S. — Out (International Duty – Starting GK Missing)
• Fayad K. — Out (Inactive)
• Sainte-Luce T. — Out (Injury)
• Ngosso G. — Out (Knee Injury)
• Laporte J. — Out (Inactive)
• Goalkeeper Crisis: With Simon Ngapandouetnbu away with Cameroon, Dimitry Bertaud is expected to step in between the sticks.

USL Dunkerque:

• Sangante O. — Out (Inactive – Captain Missing)
• Abner F. — Out (Inactive)
• Sishuba A. — Out (Inactive)
• Eguaras I. — Out (Inactive)
• Massock T. — Out (Inactive)
• Defensive Shuffle: Without Opa Sangante, the experienced Vincent Sasso will need to lead the backline against Montpellier’s attack.

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Montpellier HSC

• 20/12 — 1–0 vs Canet Roussillon (Coupe de France)
• 13/12 — 1–1 vs Grenoble (Ligue 2)
• 06/12 — 0–1 vs Pau FC (Ligue 2)
• 29/11 — 2–0 vs Montceau (Coupe de France)
• 25/11 — 0–2 vs Reims (Ligue 2)

USL Dunkerque

• 21/12 — 1–2 vs Strasbourg (Coupe de France)
• 13/12 — 2–1 vs Laval (Ligue 2)
• 07/12 — 1–0 vs St Etienne (Ligue 2)
• 29/11 — 5–0 vs Abbeville (Coupe de France)
• 22/11 — 1–1 vs Rodez (Ligue 2)⁷

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Head-to-Head (Last Meetings)

• 18/10/2025 — Dunkerque 0–1 Montpellier (Ligue 2)
• 03/01/2009 — Montpellier 0–1 Dunkerque (Coupe de France)

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Montpellier HSC (4-2-3-1)

Bertaud; Tchato, Omeragic, Jullien, Mincarelli; Chotard, Ferri; Nordin, Savanier, Coulibaly; Adams

USL Dunkerque (4-3-3)

Lavin; Georgen, Sasso, Kondo, Linguet; Bardeli, Diong, Sekongo; Yassine, Robinet, Rivera

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Impact Bench

Montpellier HSC: Khazri (Experience), Issoufou (Pace)

USL Dunkerque: Courtet (Goal threat), Tejan (Speed on counter)

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Tactical Analysis

Montpellier HSC

Without their first-choice goalkeeper, Montpellier must protect their goal better than they did in December. Teji Savanier remains the heartbeat of the team; everything good flows through him. At home, they will dominate possession, looking to feed Akor Adams in the box, but they must be wary of Dunkerque’s organized counter-attacks.

USL Dunkerque

Dunkerque thrives on being the underdog. They are compact, disciplined, and efficient. The loss of captain Sangante is significant, but Sasso brings Ligue 1 experience to fill the void. They will likely surrender the ball to Montpellier and look to hit quickly through the wings, targeting the space behind Montpellier’s attacking full-backs.

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Key Battles

• Adams vs Sasso — Physical battle between striker and center-back.
• Savanier vs Diong — The creative master vs the defensive screen.
• Nordin vs Georgen — Pace on the wing vs defensive positioning.
• Bertaud vs Robinet — Backup GK vs Dunkerque’s top scorer.

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Spotlight Players

Montpellier HSC — Teji Savanier

The captain must step up. Montpellier’s form has been patchy, and they need his magic from set-pieces and open play to unlock a stubborn Dunkerque defense.

USL Dunkerque — Enzo Bardeli

The young midfielder has been a revelation this season. His energy and ability to drive the ball forward will be crucial if Dunkerque are to snatch a result at La Mosson.

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Prediction

Montpellier 1–1 Dunkerque

Montpellier have the superior squad on paper, but Dunkerque have the momentum and a clear identity. The loss of Montpellier’s starting goalkeeper levels the playing field. Expect a tight, tactical battle where the points are shared.

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Betting Insights

• Draw — Value Bet.
• Under 2.5 Goals — Likely (Both teams averaging under 1.5 goals in recent league games).
• Both Teams to Score — YES.

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Where to Watch

• France: beIN Sports
• International: beIN Sports Connect

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — FAQs

Q: When is the Montpellier vs Dunkerque match?

A: The match kicks off on Monday, 5 January 2026, at 20:45 CET.

Q: Is Simon Ngapandouetnbu playing?

A: No. The goalkeeper is on international duty with Cameroon.

Q: Who is the favorite?

A: Montpellier are slight favorites due to home advantage, but Dunkerque are higher in the table.

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