Clermont and Lorient are separated by two spots in the Ligue 1 table heading into Saturday's meeting at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied.

A defeat by the home side could see their 10th-placed visitors leapfrog them in the standings this weekend.

Match preview

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It has been a successful second season in the French top-flight for Clermont, who are chasing a top-half finish in 2022-23.

Having ended 17th in their debut Ligue 1 campaign last season, Pascal Gastien's men were tipped to struggle in year two but quickly dismissed those suggestions.

Their form at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied has played a significant part in their late-season surge to end in the top 10, with four straight victories on home turf hugely commendable.

While their road form has dipped late in the season, a succession of victories at their stomping ground could become five this weekend, and they have reason to believe an extension to their ongoing winning run is possible.

Even though the Lancers were beaten 2-1 at Brest last week, a return to Gabriel-Montpied could help to ward off Lorient's aspiration to leapfrog the eighth-placed side.

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This weekend's visitors missed the chance to supplant Clermont in round 35, losing against second-placed Lens, who still have a slight chance at the title.

That 3-1 loss ended Les Merlus' three-game streak without losing (two wins), and this term will go down as a success regardless of results in their last two games.

Lorient ended 2021-22 in 16th place with 36 points, coincidentally level on points with Clermont, just four outside the bottom three, thus underscoring this year's improvement.

Regis Le Bris takes his team to the Lancers' home seeking the continuation of a two-game unbeaten away sequence in which four points have been accrued from six.

Only seven teams in Ligue 1 have a superior road record, and Lorient could secure their seventh away victory of the campaign if they beat Clermont on Saturday night.

Team News

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Saif-Eddine Khaoui was fit enough for a place on the Clermont bench against Brest last weekend, having gone off injured in the 2-1 win over Olympique Lyon a fortnight back - Muhammed Cham could continue as a starter this weekend.

Match-winner Grejohn Kyei went off injured in that Lyon win, but last week's participation from the off suggests the nine-goal man is anticipated to play from the off against Lorient.

Mory Diaw should replace Ouparine Djoco — who made his first league appearance of the season in the previous gameweek — in goal.

Bonke Innocent went off injured in Lorient's draw at Montpellier a fortnight back, but the Nigeria international returned in last week's defeat by Lens, pointing to another start on Saturday.

However, the injured Igor Silva is unlikely to play this weekend, having last featured in the defeat at the hands of Toulouse on April 24.

Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Seidu, Wieteska, Caufriez; Zeffane, Magnin, Gastien, Borges; Cham-Saracevic, Rashani; Kyei

Lorient possible starting lineup:
Mvogo; Meite, Talbi, Le Goff; Kalulu, Innocent, Abergel, Yongwa; Faivre, Le Fee; Kone

We say: Clermont 2-1 Lorient

Lorient have netted in five straight away games — including a 3-1 victory over table-topping Paris Saint-Germain — although they are expected to fall short against a Clermont side seeking their fifth win on the trot at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied.


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