Niko Kovac's side are six points off the top three, and only ahead of fifth-placed Rennes on goal difference after the opening 19 matches of the 2020/21 campaign. They head to the Stade de la Mosson boasting a four-game unbeaten run, including back-to-back wins in their last two outings in which they have scored eight times.

It marks a fine return to form after three successive defeats in early December, and Kovac knows a win in Montpellier — currently down in eighth — would be significant on many levels.

"It's an important game for us. For the moment, we're five points ahead of them, so it's an opportunity to put some distance between us and them," said the Monaco boss, whose only notable absentee is Cesc Fabregas (calf). "Our aim is to play well and above all win. They're having a difficult time, just like we did in December. We've bounced back well since. We expect Montpellier to put in everything needed to try and get out of that run."

WATCH: Volland has a hand in all three goals as Monaco beat PSG

Volland and Ben Yedder have 16 goals between them, nearly half of their team's top-flight tally this term. It was the latter man who netted the penalty that secured Monaco a point at home to Montpellier earlier in the season, and the France international has since seen his understanding with summer arrival Volland flourish.

"We're trying to improve game on game. The squad is progressing and partnerships have come to the fore as the season has gone on," said Kovac. "We're competitive. Montpellier is an important game, we have to bring back the three points. I expect a big performance against Montpellier."

The same is true of Kovac's opposite number, Michel Der Zakarian. The Montpellier boss has seen his side slip out of the reckoning with a winless run of five league matches, and they have lost three of their last four home games.

WATCH: What happened when the pair met earlier this season

Though Montpellier may have Téji Savanier and Stephy Mavididi back after the pair recovered from COVID-19, the omens against Monaco are not good. Montpellier have won just one and lost 12 of their last 21 home matches with the principality outfit, but Der Zakarian is fully aware an upturn in form is urgently required. 

"We have to get back to winning ways if we want to stay near the top of the table and get back to fifth, sixth place, we have to get back in touch. It's a very important game for us. They're ahead of us, we have to beat them to close in on them, otherwise they're going to pull away from us," said Der Zakarian, who saw his side held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Nantes last time out.

"We're at home, we have to show the determination, and desire to cause them problems. We need to be a lot more aggressive than against Nantes, get closer to them, press them more to win the ball back.

"People say that we have a good squad. The players that are on the pitch have to show that. We played well for 10 minutes against Nantes and then disappeared, and I don't know what the explanation for that is."

Probable teams

Montpellier: Omlin - Souquet, Congré, Hilton (c), Cozza, Oyongo - Chotard, Ferri, Mollet - Laborde, Delort

Monaco: Lecomte - Sidibé, Maripan, Badiashile, Caio Henrique - Diop, Fofana, Tchouameni, Gelson Martins - Volland, Ben Yedder (c)

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