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

Strasbourg boss Julien Stephan's position is in serious threat now following a very poor start to the season.

Match preview

A good place to start for Stephan if he wants to ease the pressure on himself, is to sort out Strasbourg's home form.

They are one of just two clubs who are yet to win a home game this season, along with Brest.

After finishing sixth last season, Strasbourg now find themselves all the way down in 18th, just two points off the bottom of the table.

They need at least a win here if they are to have any chance of finishing for the World Cup break outside the relegation zone.

Their last seven games have seen a huge contrast in playing style compared to their first seven, but there has been no real change in the results.

They scored five and conceded seven in the opening seven Ligue 1 games of the season, but they have now scored 11 and conceded 18 in their previous seven.

A more expansive play style may have brought more goals, but they are winless in four, so it has all been for nothing.

Meanwhile, Lorient have been fighting near the very top of the table for much of the season, but have now been usurped by many of their closest challengers over the last few weeks following a severe fall off in form.

After winning six in a row through September and October, they have now taken just two points from a possible 12.

That run has seen them fall from second to sixth, so a win here is vital to keep them in touch with the European places and to not waste the early season momentum they built up.

Their form recently has tailed off to such an extent that they have picked up the same amount of points as their upcoming opponents have in the last five matches, which is very concerning considering Strasbourg have fallen deeper into trouble over that period.

The absence of Terem Moffi up front certainly had a huge impact on Lorient's dip in results.

He went off early in their 0-0 draw with 10-man Reims, missed their draw with lowly Troyes, and was only a late sub in their defeat to Nice.

Moffi made his comeback from the start last weekend against Paris Saint-Germain and found the net, his ninth of the season already, as Lorient looked a far better side once again and were unlucky to lose 2-1 late on to the champions.

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:

L

W

L

D

D

L

Lorient Ligue 1 form:

W

W

D

D

L

L

Team News

Thomas Delaine went off early for Strasbourg with a knee issue last weekend and will be monitored before this one.

Karol Fila could return from a groin injury, but with one game to go until the World Cup, it is unlikely he will be risked.

Another full-back, Colin Dagba, injured his calf last week and will not feature here, nor will Ibrahima Sissoko (ankle) and Nordine Kandil (foot), who both will not play until after the World Cup.

Kevin Gameiro has been in great form up front for Strasbourg, scoring in four of their last five matches, partnering the impressive Habib Diallo.

Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo went off with a knee injury after just 10 minutes last week, so Vito Mannone is expected to come in to deputise.

Laurent Abergel is out with a broken arm, and the World Cup break will come too soon for Samuel Loric to make any sort of return from his thigh injury.

The return of Moffi has allowed Dango Ouattara to move back into his more natural position out wide, and that helped them in an attacking sense last week despite their loss to PSG.

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Sels; Djiku, Nyamsi, Le Marchand; Pierre-Gabriel, Prcic, Bellegarde, Lienard; Diallo, Gameiro, Ajorque

Lorient possible starting lineup:

Mannone; Kalulu, Laporte, Taibi, Le Goff; Ouattara, Ponceau, Innocent, Le Fee, Le Bris; Moffi

We say: Strasbourg 1-3 Lorient

Expect goals here - there have been three or more goals in Strasbourg's last seven matches, and in eight of Lorient's last nine.

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