Coupe de France finalists Toulouse travel to Lorient on Sunday for their final Ligue 1 encounter before the showpiece occasion next weekend.
Lorient's season meanwhile, has faded into mediocrity after a very promising start.
Match preview
© Reuters
Dreams of a first European campaign in 20 years now look almost certain to be dashed for Lorient after a very underwhelming few months.
Up until the World Cup, Lorient were fighting with Paris Saint-Germain near the top of the table, but a few shaky results before the extended break have continued since the return.
Regis Le Bris's side have taken just 17 points from 16 games in 2023, causing a sharp slide down the table.
Only the bottom three have taken fewer points in that time, meaning they are now scrapping just to stay in the top half, sitting 10 points behind Lille in the final European spot.
After being comfortably beaten by Monaco last weekend, Lorient are now winless in four games, and they now face a side they have had a difficulty getting the best of in recent years.
Lorient have only beaten Toulouse once in their last eight top-flight home encounters, with the sole win coming back in 2012.
However, despite their recent slide, they have been tough to beat at home, having conceded just one goal in their last five at the Stade du Moustoir.
With the cup final against Nantes coming up next week, Toulouse cannot afford to take their eye off the ball on the league front just yet.
© Reuters
They may be nine points clear of trouble, but are yet to reach the 40-point mark, and having lost six of their last eight Ligue 1 games means they would preferably like to have safety assured sooner rather than later, after a recent slide of their own.
Philippe Montanier's men have shown good away form of late though, winning four of the seven matches on the road in 2023 - as many as they won in their previous 40.
Toulouse were also unfortunate to lose against Lyon last weekend, with Logan Costa's late own goal condemning them to a narrow 2-1 defeat.
Excluding the bottom three though, no side has conceded more goals than Toulouse in Ligue 1 this season.
Team News
© Reuters
Lorient will be boosted by the return of influential duo Romain Faivre and Enzo Le Fee in midfield.
Lyon loanee Faivre missed last week's meeting with Monaco, while Le Fee has not featured since representing the France Under-21's last month.
Gedeon Kalulu, Theo Le Bris and Julien Laporte all remain on the sidelines, however.
Mikkel Desler is back from suspension for Toulouse, but they will be without Branco van den Boomen, who will serve a ban of his own.
Rafael Ratao remains out with a knee injury, while Brecht Dejaegere is still doubtful with a concussion.
Manager Montanier may opt to make a few rotational changes ahead of the cup final next weekend.
Lorient possible starting lineup:
Mannone; Igor Silva, Meite, Talbi, Le Goff; Abergel, Le Fee, Makengo; Faivre, Dieng, Cathline
Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Dupe; Desler, Rouault, Nicolaisen, Kamanzi; Genreau, Spierings, Birmancevic; Abouklal, Dallinga, Chaibi
We say: Lorient 1-1 Toulouse
In a mid-table encounter, there may not be much between the two sides, with the added sub-plot of Toulouse's cup final to come next week possibly on their minds.
Only one of the last 16 meetings between these sides have seen more than two goals, and this encounter looks set to follow a similar pattern.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
