Auxerre host Toulouse this weekend in Ligue 1, looking to move level on points with their opponents in the standings.
There is little to separate the two sides in the table, with Auxerre currently 11th on 23 points, while the visitors are one place above them with 26 points, with both teams having played 20 matches each.
Match preview
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The hosts head into the weekend in need of a victory – having last tasted success on November 24 against Angers, Auxerre have failed to win any of their last nine matches in all competitions.
The win against Angers was part of a seven-match run that saw Auxerre claim 16 points out of a possible 21 available, a purple patch in an otherwise difficult campaign.
Their bad run started against this weekend's opponents on December 1, when goals from Joshua King and Vincent Sierro helped Les Violets all three points.
That result in December was perhaps unsurprising, given that Auxerre have struggled on their travels since their promotion back to Ligue 1, securing only four points on the road all season.
However, their form at home has certainly been more promising, having gained 19 of their 23 points on home soil, and despite not winning for over two months, the hosts are unbeaten in their last eight matches in Ligue 1 at Stade de l'Abbe-Deschamps.
Therefore, they will aim to continue their unbeaten run in front of their own fans this weekend against a Toulouse side that have failed to win any of their last four league matches.
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While qualification for European football next term is still a possibility, recent losses have hurt their chances, with Toulouse notably suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to a Montpellier side that were winless on the road all season until then.
Toulouse now find themselves seven points off the European places in Ligue 1, but also only eight points clear of the drop zone, so it is important that they avoid another defeat this weekend.
Defeat in the Coupe de France to Ligue 2 side Guingamp in midweek would have done little to raise the confidence levels at Toulouse though, as the club's struggles in front of goal continued in a 2-0 defeat.
Carles Martinez Novell's side have only netted 21 times in 20 league matches this season, giving them the fourth-worst attacking record in Ligue 1.
In contrast, they balance out their bad form in front of goal with their excellent defensive record, as Toulouse boast the fourth-best defensive record in the division, with 22 goals conceded.
Despite not keeping a clean sheet in four of his last six matches, goalkeeper Guillaume Restes has kept eight this season, leaving him level with Rennes keeper Brice Samba for most in the division.
If the visitors can prevent Auxerre from finding the net this weekend, they will fancy their chances of picking up three points, as the hosts have conceded 33 times this season, the fifth-worst defensive record in Ligue 1.
Team News
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Auxerre will be without midfielder Kevin Danois for this clash, as he remains sidelined for at least a few more weeks due to a muscle injury.
Elsewhere, Ousoumane Camara is continuing his recovery from a groin injury and is likely to be out of action until the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Toulouse defender Djibril Sidibe is out with an Achilles injury, with the former Everton man expected to return at the end of the month.
Aside from Sidibe, Niklas Schmidt is the only other player out for Toulouse, as the German midfielder continues his recovery from an ACL injury.
Auxerre possible starting lineup:
Leon; Mensah, Akpa, Diamonde, Jubal, Joly; Massengo, Owusu, Perrin, Traore; Sinayoko
Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Restes; Suazo, McKenzie, Cresswell, Akdag, Donnum; Casseres Jr., Canvot, Gboho, Aboukhlal; Magri
We say: Auxerre 1-1 Toulouse
This is a difficult match to call, as both sides have had their troubles of late and it is a game that Toulouse need to win to stay in the hunt for European football next term.
However, Auxerre are tough to beat on their home turf but have found it hard to win matches in recent months, so therefore we think this game ends in a 1-1 draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
