Montpellier-OL preview : Nuamah ‘I really enjoy playing football, the movement to create spaces’ | OneFootball

Following a vital moral-boosting win against Marseille, Pierre Sage’s Lyon face a trip to Montpellier this Sunday in a vital clash near the bottom of the Ligue 1 table

Lyon and Montpellier return to Ligue 1 Uber Eats action on Sunday afternoon at Stade de la Mosson following differing results last weekend. Yet, whilst Montpellier sit two places above OL, both teams are neck and neck on 19 points after 20 games played - meaning that a win for either side could see some significant progress up the table.

Michel Der Zakarian’s side were convincingly beaten by OGC Nice in the Coupe de France in the week (1-4) after a defeat to Rennes (2-1) last weekend. La Paillaide might have looked secure in mid-table at one point, but they are languishing only three points ahead of the drop zone, with a significant problem of drawing all four of their last home games in the league.

Ernest Nuamah finding his stride

Meanwhile, Pierre Sage has calmed a lot of relegation fears with positive results against Marseille (1-0) and Lille in the Coupe de France (2-1). Whilst a lot has to be said for the positive impact of the new signings such as Nemanja Matic and Gift Orban, there has also been a marked improvement in Ernest Nuamah.

The Ghana international clinched a Player of the Match award against Marseille, assisting Alex Lacazette with a precise cross. He has notably been more of a danger lately playing a more central role, drifting into the flanks when he could and offering Lyon fans a spectacle of enjoyment with his dribbling runs.

"I really enjoy playing football, the movement to create spaces,” said Nuamah earlier this season. ”I've talked a lot about values. The team must have common values to play together. I want to bring enthusiasm to the people who come to watch us.”

The winger currently has one goal and one assist in 16 games so far this season after joining the club in August from Nordsjaelland. If the Ghanaian can replicate his performance against OM against Montpellier, Lyon would be well on their way to another positive result.

Possible lineups:

Montpellier: Lecomte; Tchato, Jullien, Omeragic, Sagnan, Sylla; Fayad, Chotard, Savanier, Coulibaly; Khazri.

Lyon: Lopes; Mata, Caleta-Car, O'Brien; Maitland-Niles, Matic, Caqueret, Tagliafico; Nuamah, Lacazette, Orban.