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

After narrowly missing out on European qualification last season, Strasbourg are now firmly focused on guiding themselves away from trouble.

Match preview

Toulouse have adjusted very well to life back at the top table of French football, in mid-table they do not look likely to challenge the European places, but they are comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

Their excellent home form has been helpful to them, as the Ligue 2 champions have won their last three home matches, and only Paris Saint-Germain have come here and won this season.

Following promotion, much was said about whether they would be able to replicate their sensational attacking numbers from Ligue 2 in Ligue 1, and the goals have started to flow in recent weeks after scoring just nine in their opening eight matches.

They scored more than double the amount of goals than 11 other sides in Ligue 2, and got 21 more than the next best side, but losing 20-goal Rhys Healey to a serious injury in August has had an impact.

Branco van den Boomen, who had 33 goal involvements in Ligue 2, and Ado Onaiwu have also not produced as frequently this season, while Thijs Dallinga, brought in from Excelsior after netting 36 goals in the Dutch second tier last season, has struggled to acclimatise with the step-up and was dropped after failing to score in seven consecutive matches.

Back-to-back home wins over Montpellier and Angers saw them score seven goals though, so it looks like they may have found their footing at this level.

A mediocre start for Strasbourg littered with draws was frustrating to begin with, as the Alsace side drew five of their first seven and had to wait until matchday 10 for a win.

However, things have got worse, as those draws have turned into defeats, losing three of their last four games.

Leaking goals in recent weeks has been a serious problem for Strasbourg, as conceding 10 goals in the last four matches was uncharacteristic for a side who let in only seven in their first seven games.

They may be glad to be playing on the road this weekend, as a 3-0 defeat at home to Lille last Friday means they have taken just three points from their six home games this season.

With an additional relegation spot now implemented for this season only, Strasbourg currently occupy the fourth and final spot at the moment, but the sides above them are still within reach.

An improvement at the back is necessary though, if they want to stop the heavy fall-off they are suffering compared to last season, when they finished sixth, as Julien Stephan has begun to feel the pressure, stating they must take points from this encounter.

Toulouse Ligue 1 form:

L

W

L

W

D

W

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:

D

D

L

L

W

L

Team News

Former MK Dons man Healey will be missing until April with his serious knee injury, and his replacement Dallinga is also suspended for this one.

They played without a recognised striker from the start last week, and won 3-2, so manager Philippe Montanier may stick with that formula, especially given Dallinga's absence.

Rafael Ratao, Fares Chaibi and Zakaria Aboukhlal played as the fluid front three, and it was Ratao who came in to replace Dallinga from the start following his return from injury to change to this system, as the same trio will expect to start again.

Karol Fila (groin), Nordine Kandil (foot) and Ludovic Ajorque (chest) will all return to the Strasbourg setup soon, but this fixture will come too soon for the trio.

Ajorque was involved in 20 goals last season, but injury has seen him miss the last month. However, Habib Diallo has filled his shoes expertly, scoring half of Strasbourg's goals so far this season.

Diallo will likely partner Kevin Gameiro up front, and the 35-year-old, now back at his first professional club, scored in both league fixtures against Toulouse last time he faced them in Strasbourg colours 15 years ago.

Toulouse possible starting lineup:

Dupe; Desler, Rouault, Nicolaisen, Sylla; Dejaegere, Spierings, Van den Boomen; Ratao, Chaibi, Aboukhlal

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Sels; Dagba, Djiku, Perrin, Le Marchand, Delaine; Sissoko, Prcic, Bellegarde; Diallo, Gameiro

We say: Toulouse 3-1 Strasbourg

With this being their second-best attacking start to a Ligue 1 season in 28 years, Toulouse have found their form in attack after a sluggish start, and could take advantage of a Strasbourg defence drained of confidence.

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