Preview: Niort vs. Quevilly - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors do still have the chance to progress up the division though, as a win on Friday has the potential of putting them into the top half.

Match preview

It has been a difficult and disappointing season for Niort this time around, with the club only managing seven of their 37 matches to this stage in the season.

That has left the club rock bottom in the division, and it is mathematically impossible for them to climb any higher, regardless of the result this time around.

Niort have been stronger at home this season, winning five times in front of their own fans, and the team will be pushing to make that six to wrap up the campaign in style.

However, they head into this match on the back of nine games without a victory, showcasing how difficult the end of the season has been for the team.

The defensive side of their game has been the biggest problems for them as no team in Ligue 2 have leaked more goals than them.

That is something the visitors will attempt to exploit on Friday, giving them a fighting chance of moving up the division for a top-half finish.

Quevilly could end up as high as seventh, which is a major improvement from the 11th place they currently are sat in, but it does depend on other results of the teams above them.

Olivier Echouafni will need to see a stronger performance from his team this time around though as his team heads into this one on the back of three games without a win.

Their most recent outing saw them defeated 3-1 by Amiens, despite the fact that Louis Mafouta had given his team the lead in the first half.

Quevilly ended up conceding twice in the last 10 minutes of the game, proving that concentration until the very end is going to be important for them.

Niort Ligue 2 form:

L

L

L

L

D

L

Quevilly Ligue 2 form:

D

D

W

D

L

L

Team News

The hosts will likely continue with four at the back in this match as the team continues to search for answers in terms of improving defensively.

Bilal Boutobba could be someone that gets brought into the starting lineup this time around though, providing a little more width to the team.

Mafouta will be expecting to lead the line once again for the visitors on Friday after he found the back of the net during their most recent outing.

Balthazar Pierret will also be expected to start in this match as well, shielding the back four as the defensive midfielder.

Niort possible starting lineup:

Michel; Vallier, Conte, Kilama, Durivaux; Olaitan, Benchama, Renel; Tormin, Bakayoko, Boutobba

Quevilly possible starting lineup:

Thuram-Ulien; Cisse, Youssef, Cissokho, Loric; Pierret, Bangre, Bonnet, Sangare, Camara; Mafouta

We say: Niort 0-2 Quevilly

Quevilly might be out of form at the moment, but unlike their opponents, they actually have something to play for in this match and the poor run that Niort are going through will likely lead to the visitors securing a win.

Previews by email