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

Both sides occupy places in the relegation zone heading into this weekend's clash, separated by just five points with eight games left to play in the campaign.

Match preview

Strasbourg return to play in front of their home faithful following successive away defeats against Monaco and Lens which have further increased their fears of relegation to Ligue 2 in the closing stages of this season.

Last time out saw Frederic Antonetti's men lose 2-1 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, with goals from Przemyslaw Frankowski and Facundo Medina condemning the visitors to their 14th defeat of the term.

The Blue and Whites currently occupy 17th place in the Ligue 1 standings, two points away from the safety of 16th and the retention of their top-tier status for the 2023-24 campaign.

Despite struggling so far this season, Strasbourg have been competent in front of net - their 38-goals-scored record is as good as any of their relegation rivals, only being equalled by Troyes.

Ajaccio's first season back at the top table of French football since 2014 is turning out as many pundits predicted before a ball had been kicked, with the club desperately fighting off relegation at the foot of the table.

A run of five-straight losses - and eight defeats in their last nine - has dealt a severe blow to the Bears' survival ambitions, with a 3-0 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Auxerre last weekend representing a real low for the club.

Olivier Pantaloni's men now lie 19th in the league standings heading into their final eight fixtures, seven points away from safety - it appears last year's Ligue 2 runners up could be set for an immediate return to that level of football.

Ajaccio academy product Mounaim El Idrissy has been a key figure for the club in their attempts to avoid the drop, with the 24-year-old forward netting six goals during his first-ever campaign in Ligue 1.

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:

D

L

D

W

L

L

Ajaccio Ligue 1 form:

W

L

L

L

L

L

Team News

Strasbourg will be without the suspended Habib Diallo on Sunday afternoon - the hosts top scorer picked up a red card in the latter stages of the defeat at Lens last weekend.

Centre-back Maxime Le Marchand has not yet recovered from a sprained ankle suffered at the start of March, with the club's medical staff hopeful of having the 33-year-old up to fitness by the end of this month.

Ajaccio have Mohamed Youssouf serving a suspension for his red card against Clermont Foot, with the Comoros international scheduled miss his side's next two Ligue 1 matches.

Clement Vidal is also suspended for Sunday's match after picking up his fourth caution of the campaign at the start of April, meaning Oumar Gonzalez and Fernand Mayembo will retain their places in the visitors' central-defensive duo.

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Sels; Nyamsi, Djiku, Doukoure; Guilbert, Diarra, Sissoko, Sobol; Sanson, Bellegarde; Gameiro

Ajaccio possible starting lineup:

Leroy; Diallo, Mayembo; Gonzalez, Kone; Barreto, Marchetti, Coutadeur, Spadanuda; Idrissy, Hamouma

We say: Strasbourg 1-0 Ajaccio

Strasbourg return to familiar territory following two difficult away assignments, and you feel Antonetti's men will be targeting Sunday's fixture as a must win in their quest for survival.

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