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

The hosts will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce while their visitors head into this weekend's clash on a six-game unbeaten streak.

Match preview

Strasbourg cruised to a routine 4-0 victory over Avoine at Stade Marcel Vignaud two Saturdays ago to secure safe passage into the last 32 of the French Cup.

Patrick Vieira went into the interval with a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Kevin Gameiro and Moise Dion after which Dion and Mohamed Bechikh grabbed second-half strikes to seal the deal.

Les Bleu et Blanc played out a 1-1 stalemate against Olympique Marseille in their subsequent league outing and remain ninth in the standings.

Unbeaten in their last four matches on the road, Sunday's visitors have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack away from home of late.

Clermont Foot saw off the threat of Metz via a penalty shootout in the sides' last-64 encounter at the Stade Saint-Symphorien two Fridays ago.

Pascal Gastien's men trailed to Sadibou Sane's strike midway through the first half but managed to level matters through Jim Allevinah after which Massamba Ndiaye turned out to be the hero.

Les Lanciers claimed a 2-1 win over Nantes in their last league outing and have moved up to 17th place in the Ligue 1 table, two points adrift of safety.

Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are unbeaten in the last five editions of this fixture across all competitions.

Having won just one of 10 home matches leading up to Sunday's affair, the hosts will be keen to give their fans reason to cheer this time around.

Clermont Coupe de France form:

W

Clermont form (all competitions):

L

D

L

L

W

W

Strasbourg Coupe de France form:

W

Strasbourg form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

D

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Team News

Strasbourg's Saidou Sow is on international duty with Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations and is unavailable to feature in this weekend's contest.

Karol Fila and Lebo Mothiba miss out for the hosts through knee injuries as Emanuel Emegha continues to battle with a calf problem.

Forward Shamar Nicholson has been directly in each of Clermont's last three goals and is will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

The home side will be without the services of Jeremie Bela, Mory Diaw and Alidu Seidu who are all away at the ongoing AFCON, while Stan Berkani remains out of action.

Clermont possible starting lineup:

N'Diaye; Neto, Ogier, Pelmard; Konate, Gonalons, Gastien, Armougom; Allevinah, Muhammed, Nicholson

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Bellaarouch; Sobol, Sylla, Baseya, Senaya; Sissoko, Diarra; Deminguet, Gameiro, Angelo; Dion

We say: Clermont 1-2 Strasbourg

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