Montpellier HSC v Sunderland
Venue: Stade Jacques Forestier
Saturday 30 July 6pm
Sunderland’s second European tête-à-tête sees the Black Cats take on former French champions Montpellier HSC.
It was announced last week that the game will take place at Le Stade Jacques Forestier, in Aix-les-Bains, kick-off 6pm. Like Stade Nyonnais, Montpellier Herault Sport Club (HSC) came into its present form after a merger in 1974.
Montpellier had been a founding member of the first French football division, and they won their first ever Ligue 1 title in 2011-12.
La Paillade, as they are known, finished 12th last season under the guidance of manager Frederic Hantz, who took the reins in January 2016. The experienced 50-year-old previously held positions at Bastia, Le Havre and Sochaux.
Montpellier play their home games at the Stade de la Mosson, which holds just under 33,000. Their joint top goalscorers last season were Senegalese striker Souleymane Camara, and Chad international Casimir Ninga, who both netted seven times.
Captaining the side should be the ever-present Brazilian defender Hilton, who at the age of 38, signed a contract extension last month to secure a sixth year with the former French champions.
