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

The two teams will both be looking to return to winnings ways after losing against last season's top two sides in midweek.

Match preview

After claiming impressive victories against Reims and Nice, Clermont have since suffered back-to-back away defeats against Lorient and Marseille.

The Lancers were unable to rescue a point with 10 men against Lorient and eventually lost 2-1, before losing out 1-0 to Marseille on Wednesday - a game in which they failed to register a single shot on target.

Clermont have now suffered defeat in 14 of their 25 Ligue 1 matches since the turn of the year, with only Montpellier (15) losing on more occasions during this period.

Pascal Gastien's side are now preparing for their first-ever top-flight clash against Toulouse, and will be seeking to claim their first victory against them after losing once and drawing three of their previous meetings in Ligue 2.

Clermont currently sit 12th in the table, but they could end up either inside the relegation zone or as high as fifth depending on this weekend's results.

Since being crowned champions of Ligue 2 last season, Toulouse have picked up five points from as many top-flight matches this term, winning once, drawing twice and losing twice.

However, Les Violets have failed to claim any points in their last two matches, losing 3-1 away to Nantes last weekend and 3-0 at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

A positive result was not expected for Philippe Montanier's side against the current Ligue 1 holders, but they will fancy their chances on Sunday as they have won four of their last six meetings against Clermont.

Having said that, success away from home in Ligue 1 has been hard to come by for Toulouse in previous years, as they have won only one of their last 25 top-flight matches on the road, a poor run of form Montanier's men will be keen to improve this term.

Clermont Ligue 1 form:

Toulouse Ligue 1 form:

Team News

Clermont switched to a back three against Marseille, but Gastien is expected to revert to a four-man defence on Sunday, with left-back Neto Borges set to return to the first XI after serving a suspension.

Midfielder Maxime Gonalons missed the midweek defeat to Marseille due to a calf injury and he is set to remain on the sidelines along with Mehdi Zeffane, who is recovering from a hamstring problem.

Saif-Eddine Khaoui, Muhammed Cham and Jim Allevinah could all provide support in the final third for lone striker Komnen Andric, who has scored two goals in five league games so far this season.

As for Toulouse, they could also revert from a back three to a back four this weekend, which could see midfielder Brecht Dejaegere come in for centre-back Moussa Diarra, with Oliver Zanden moving to left-back.

Last season's top scorer Rhys Healey is sidelined for several months with an ACL injury, while midfielder Nathan N'Goumou is ruled out with a groin problem.

Deadline day signings Veljko Birmancevic and Theocharis Tsingaras will both be in contention to make their debuts on Sunday, although a place on the bench to begin with is expected.

Clermont possible starting lineup:

Diaw; Seidu, Wieteska, Ogier, Neto; Gastien, Magnin; Allevinah, Cham, Khaoui; Andric

Toulouse possible starting lineup:

Dupe; Deslier, Nicolaisen, Rouault, Zanden; Van den Boomen, Spierings; Ratao, Dejaegere, Aboukhlal; Dallinga

We say: Clermont 1-1 Toulouse

An open contest is expected this weekend and both Clermont and Toulouse will fancy their chances of returning to winnings ways.

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