Preview: Ajaccio vs. Reims - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the visitors are attempting to remain in the European hunt, Ajaccio sit just two points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

Having lost seven of their opening nine matches in Ligue 1 this season, Ajaccio have been playing catch-up in a bid to get themselves out of trouble.

However, their early form makes it all the more impressive that they now sit outside of the bottom four, helped by seven points being recorded from their most recent four fixtures.

Although they went down 2-0 to Toulouse in their last league game, Olivier Pantaloni will be more than satisfied with his team's current position given what they have previously faced during the first half of the campaign.

Up until recently, Ajaccio possessed the worst home record in the division, but back-to-back wins have come versus Strasbourg and Angers.

L'ours also made progress in the Coupe de France at the weekend, coming through a tie at Jura Sud Foot by a 2-1 scoreline.

Reims have enjoyed by far the better campaign in comparison to Ajaccio, and they continued to build momentum at the weekend as they thrashed Loon-Plage 7-0 in the cup.

Five of those goals came during the final 21 minutes, and William Still would have been delighted to see his team show a ruthless streak without Folarin Balogun featuring in the team.

Turning their attention back to league matters, Reims are currently on a nine-match unbeaten run, registering three wins and six draws.

Four points have been taken off Rennes and Lille since the resumption in action, but the 10th-placed outfit remain 10 points adrift of the top six.

Reims make the trip to Estadio François-Coty having recorded draws in their most recent five matches in France's top flight.

Ajaccio Ligue 1 form:

L

L

W

D

W

L

Reims Ligue 1 form:

W

D

W

D

W

D

Team News

Having made the decision to make widespread changes for the Coupe de France tie, Pantaloni could revert back to a similar team which started versus Toulouse.

However, Ruan Levine is in contention for a start after netting twice versus Jura Sud Foot, potentially replacing veteran Yoann Touzghar down the middle of the attack.

Fernand Mayembo is also pushing for a recall in the middle of the defence after being dropped for the defeat to Toulouse.

Balogun has missed the last two fixtures with a hamstring injury and it appears unlikely that the Arsenal loanee will return for this fixture.

Jens Cajuste is pushing for a recall in midfield having proven his fitness over the past two games and he is competing with Alexis Flips for a spot in the starting lineup.

Although Kaj Sierhuis and Martin Adeline both scored doubles in the rout versus Loon-Plage, they are unlikely to be handed an opportunity for the opening whistle.

Ajaccio possible starting lineup:

Leroy; Youssouf, Gonzalez, Diallo, Kone; Nouri, Marchetti, Coutadeur, Belaili; Idrissy, Levine

Reims possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, Smet; Munetsi, Matusiwa; Ito, Flips, Bergen; Holm

We say: Ajaccio 1-1 Reims

Despite defeat last time out, we cannot ignore that Ajaccio had been on a three-match unbeaten streak. With that in mind, the home side may do enough to earn a share of the spoils against opponents who are proving to be increasingly difficult to overcome this campaign.

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