Montpellier vs Monaco preview - Monaco hoping to keep up momentum

Monaco put their stuttering start to the season behind them by recording back-to-back victories last week and coach Leonardo Jardim will hope their resurgence continues against Montpellier on Wednesday.

The principality side lost three of their first five Ligue 1 matches and were second-from-bottom in the standings before Sunday's showdown with fellow strugglers Guingamp.

Buoyed by a 1-0 midweek Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco beat Jocelyn Gourvennec's side by the same scoreline and Jardim was impressed by his side's performance and hopes they can make it three consecutive wins in all competitions when they travel to the Stade de la Mosson.

"That's two wins on the bounce, and it's important we keep it going, for our confidence," the Portuguese manager told the club's official website after Sunday's slender but morale-boosting victory.

"After we scored, we played well, used the ball and the flanks to good effect. Over the next couple of days, we'll do some work specifically to help the players. Next up, Montpellier."

Ricardo Carvalho echoed his manager's sentiments and insists he and his fellow defenders must continue to keep it tight at the back if they are to improve upon their current position of 16th in the Ligue 1 standings.

"The team is more and more compact. We're using the ball better, defending better," the former Chelsea and Real Madrid centre-back said. "If we don't concede, then obviously we've got a better chance of winning games."

While Monaco's backline more or less picks itself after some resilient displays recently, Jardim has some juggling to do up front after Anthony Martial was ruled out of Wednesday's tussle after suffering concussion against Guingamp.

Dimitar Berbatov is likely to play as the lone striker, meaning that Nabil Dirar, who came off the bench to score the winner against Guingamp, is likely to start in a five-man midfield.

Montpellier, meanwhile, have enjoyed a fine start to the season - winning three and drawing one of their first half a dozen matches to currently occupy sixth place.

MHSC boss Rolland Courbis could opt for the same starting XI that secured a goalless draw at Lille on Saturday but, with midfielder Paul Lasne carrying a knock, youngster Morgan Sanson may feature.

Despite their impressive start to the campaign, Courbis admits there is room for improvement and he has challenged all of his players to be more clinical in front of goal.

"It's not that the attack is average, but the entire team needs to make progress in all sectors to improve our offensive behaviour," he said.

"We must do better offensively, I do not just look at the goals we score, but the goals we could have scored. This balance is insufficient."