Preview: Auxerre vs. Strasbourg - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have had a mixture of results across the opening three matches with two draws, and defeat to their name so far.

Match preview

Despite the fact they ended up with just nine men on the field by the end, Auxerre were able to secure their first three points of the season last weekend when they faced Montpellier.

It was a heated game that saw Nuno da Costa and M'Baye Niang receive red cards, but the former did get himself on the scoresheet as well, while a 75th-minute penalty from Mathias Autret was enough to get the 2-1 win.

That result marked consecutive undefeated matches for the squad after a 2-2 draw against Angers where they scored both goals in the opening 10 minutes.

However, discipline has proven to be an issue for the squad this season as Auxerre had a man sent off in that game as well when Lassine Sinayoko saw red.

Another positive result at the weekend has the chance to secure their place in the top half of the table though, and there is no doubt that they will be looking to continue their start to the campaign.

On the other hand, the visitors are yet to win a single game this season, but there have been signs of improvement following their opening-day defeat against Monaco.

That result was followed up by consecutive 1-1 draws against Nice and Reims which has helped the club to climb just above the relegation zone.

Despite that, there is only a point between them and the bottom four, and Strasbourg will be keen to avoid a defeat this weekend.

Alexander Djiku had given his team the lead in their most recent outing, but they were not able to hang onto that result as they ultimately conceded late in the second half.

So far there have been no clean sheets for Strasbourg, and that is something that they will now be looking to try and improve upon.

Auxerre Ligue 1 form:

Auxerre form (all competitions):

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:

Strasbourg form (all competitions):

Team News

Da Costa and Niang are both going to be missing for their hosts at the weekend due to their suspensions, but Sinayoko will be an option following his previous red card.

Theo Pellenard is someone that will also be sidelined for Auxerre due to the fact that he sustained an ACL injury, which is going to see him miss the entire season.

The visitors are also dealing with injuries right now as Nordine Kandil has a muscular issue, Eiji Kawashima has a shoulder injury and Lebo Mothiba has been battling an illness.

Habib Diallo and Kevin Gameiro are likely to find themselves as the strikers in this game with Strasbourg aiming to find their shooting boots.

Auxerre possible starting lineup:

Costil; Joly, Jubal, Jeanvier, Boto; Toure, Perrin, Autret, Sakhi, Hein; Dugimont

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Sels; Perrin, Djiku, Le Marchand; Delaine, Prcic, Bellegarde, Thomasson, Lienard; Diallo, Gameiro

We say: Auxerre 2-1 Strasbourg

Goals have been frequent for Auxerre so far this season, with the team proving themselves to be entertaining to watch with their attacking qualities working well.

On the other hand, the visitors have been working hard to get their first three points of the season, but this match might be a difficult one for them to achieve that target.

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