European hopefuls Strasbourg will hope to get back on track when they welcome relegation-threatened Montpellier HSC to Stade de la Meinau this Sunday in Ligue 1.
Le Racing have stumbled after their lengthy unbeaten streak was ended at the start of February, while Montpellier have endured a tough campaign and lost once again last time out.
Match preview
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Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg are in the hunt for a place in the top six this season, and are currently six points behind Lens, who occupy the top flight's spot for entry into the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
Le Racing went unbeaten throughout December and January across all competitions, recording six wins and two draws from their eight games, but they have found things a bit more difficult at the start of this month.
Most recently, Sunday's hosts were eliminated from the Coupe de France when they were beaten 3-1 at home by Angers, and had previously lost 1-0 on the road to Rennes in Ligue 1 on February 2.
However, Rosenior's side have consistently showcased their strength at Stade de la Meinau this term, and having lost just twice at their own ground this season, the boss will be hoping to prove that their recent losses have been nothing but a blip on the way to qualifying for European football.
This weekend, Strasbourg will be up against a team that have struggled all the way through 2024-25, and should be confident of securing an important three points that could see them go level on points with Lyon.
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Meanwhile, Jean-Louis Gasset's Montpellier are second-from-bottom with just 15 points to show for their effort across their 20 Ligue 1 matches so far.
Five points from safety, La Paillade lost 2-0 last time out against Lens, though they were lifted from the foot of the table by earning back-to-back wins for the first time this season in their prior two games.
Sunday's visitors will be feeling more confident about the fight for survival after taking all three points in a commendable 2-1 victory over Monaco on January 17, and coming from behind to beat Toulouse 2-1 on the road late last month thanks to goals from centre-back Modibo Sagnan and youngster Othmane Maamma.
In the reverse fixture, Gasset's side drew 1-1 in their opening Ligue 1 game back in August, and if they can replicate that result this weekend then they will have earned half of their season's points total in their lasts six matches.
That being said, Montpellier are yet to keep a single clean sheet in the league this season and have conceded the most goals of any team in the division, so if they are to take anything from a game against a club in the hunt for a place in the top six, then they will have to remain uncharacteristically solid and composed at the back.
Team News
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Strasbourg have a long list of absentees to contend with this weekend, made worse by the fact that centre-back Boubakar Kouyate has been suspended for accumulating yellow cards.
In his place, Abakar Sylla could start at the back alongside Andrew Omobamidele and Mamadou Sarr.
Elsewhere, Dilane Bakwa, Oscar Perea and Dion Sahi remain out, though Tidiane Diallo, Yoni Gomis and Thomas Delaine could all make the squad after their own time on the sidlines.
As for Montpellier, they will welcome midfielder Jordan Ferri back into the XI this weekend after he served a suspension for picking up a red card against Angers last month.
Ferri is likely to patrol the middle of the park as part of a trio featuring Joris Chotard and Becir Omeragic.
On the other hand, forward Axel Gueguin and defenders Issiaga Sylla and Kiki Kouyate are doubts for Sunday's clash, and if the latter is unavailable, expect Yael Mouanga to line up at the back alongside Modibo Sagnan.
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Sarr, Omobamidele, Sylla; Doue, Diarra, Andrey Santos, Moreira; Ouattara, Emegha, Lemarechal
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Mbiayi, Mouanga, Sagnan, Luce; Omeragic, Chotard, Ferri; Savanier; Al-Taamari, Delort
We say: Strasbourg 2-1 Montpellier HSC
Strasbourg may have lost last time out, but they will be confident of getting back to winning ways this weekend.
Le Racing are likely to score at least once given the visitors' shocking defensive record, and if they get two then Montpellier may not be able to find a way back.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
