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

The hosts are 19th in the table, two points from safety, while the visitors commence proceedings up in 17th, having picked up one more point than their opponents.

Match preview

Ajaccio would have probably been expecting to be in a relegation battle in their first season back in the French top flight, and that is the position in which they find themselves, currently sitting two points from safety.

L'ours have acquired just 18 points in their 24 Ligue 1 games up to this point, leaving them in a very worrying position, and there have been very few encouraging signs in recent weeks.

In their last eight Ligue 1 matches, Olivier Pantaloni's side have lost on seven occasions, with their only victory coming against bottom-of-the-table Angers, who were reduced to 10 men for the final 15 minutes.

During that time, Ajaccio have been on the receiving end of some heavy defeats, losing 7-1 away at Monaco last month, however the most concerning thing will be their scoring record, having failed to score in five of their last six matches.

It was the same old story for L'ours in their last match, losing 3-0 away at Lorient and never really managing to put their opponents under any real pressure.

Troyes are also struggling in Ligue 1 this season, currently one point from safety, having gone on a very concerning run since the turn of the year, losing seven of their last eight games in all competitions.

Over a 10-game period, only Angers have picked up less points than ESTAC in Ligue 1, while they have also conceded more goals than any other team during that time, losing 5-1 away at Lille and 4-0 at Reims.

It is fair to say that Patrick Kisnorbo's side have struggled away from home all season, winning just two of their 12 matches on the road, making Sunday's game an even more difficult task, despite the fact it is against an evenly-matched side.

In the reverse fixture between the two sides, Troyes looked poor throughout, having just two shots on target, compared to seven from their opponents, and they were denied all three points late on when Mounaim El Idrissy cancelled out Jackson Porozo's opener.

Last time out, ESTAC looked to be heading towards picking up an important point at home to Montpellier, however Wahbi Khazri struck in the 90th minute to ensure the visitors picked up a much-deserved three points.

Ajaccio Ligue 1 form:

L

L

W

L

L

L

Ajaccio form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

L

L

Troyes Ligue 1 form:

L

D

L

L

L

L

Team News

Ajaccio have their fair share of long-term absentees, with Mathieu Coutadeur and Yanis Cimignani expected to miss out once again, as the latter has failed to make the match-day squad since a 2-2 draw at Nantes in November.

A more recent injury picked up by Thomas Magnini means that Pantaloni has very limited options in midfield, with Mickael Barreto and Vincent Marchetti expected to be the chosen pairing in the engine room.

Top-scorer Youcef Belaili has failed to make the squad in the last two matches, meaning 17-year-old Moussa Soumano is poised to lead the line again, having scored his first goal for the club earlier this month.

Troyes also have some players on the treatment table, with Florian Tardieu picking up a season-ending Achilles tendon injury last month, while wing-backs Yasser Larouci and Andreas Bruus both missed the last match.

In Bruus' absence, Thierno Balde is the likely choice on the right, while Renaud Ripart could be forced into playing an unconventional left-wing back role, as Papa Ndiaga Yade is missing through suspension.

Ajaccio possible starting lineup:

Leroy; Alphonse, Avinel, Gonzalez, Youssouf; Vidal, Bayala, Barreto, Marchetti, Hamouma; Soumano

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Gallon; Rami, Salmier, Palmer-Brown; Balde, Agoume, Chavalerin, Odobert, Ripart; Balde, Lopes

We say: Ajaccio 1-0 Troyes

Both sides have looked very poor in recent weeks, but we expect Ajaccio to do just enough to secure all three points, in what is a real relegation six-pointer.

The hosts were by far the better team in the meeting earlier this season, and while they have struggled of late, they have managed to perform against teams around them, defeating Angers 2-1 at the beginning of February.

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