Auxerre host Strasbourg in Ligue 1 this weekend, hoping to close the gap between the two sides in the standings.
Heading into the weekend's action, the visitors are seventh in the table, just outside the European qualification places, while Auxerre are six points behind Strasbourg in 11th position.
Match preview
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There was relief all around Stade Abbe-Deschamps last weekend as the hosts finally secured their first league win since November 24.
Auxerre recorded their first victory in any competition for almost three months as they saw off Marseille in a comfortable 3-0 victory last Sunday.
Gaetan Perrin opened the scoring for the hosts before a brace from Jubal sealed an important three points for AJA.
Despite failing to win in their previous 11 matches in all competitions before last weekend's success, Christophe Pelissier's men have put together an impressive run at home in Ligue 1 and are undefeated in their last 10 home matches in the league.
Perhaps the biggest source of frustration for the club has been not being able to turn enough of those games into wins, having drawn five of their last six home matches in Ligue 1.
However, their strong home form is a major reason why the club appears likely to stay in the division for at least another season, as they currently sit nine points clear of the danger zone.
Indeed, just five of Auxerre's 28 points to date have been won on their travels, demonstrating just how important their home form has been for Pelissier's side this season.
Having secured victory against Marseille last weekend, another win on Sunday would have the hosts looking up the standings and believing that they may be able to sneak into the race for European football next season.
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They take on a Strasbourg side that are already firmly in the mix for qualification for Europe, as they sit just two points behind sixth-placed Lyon in the standings.
Much like their opponents this weekend, the main reason behind their success is their impressive form at home, with 22 of their 34 points coming from games played on their own turf.
However, with three wins in their last five away games in the league, as well as five in their last seven in all competitions, Liam Rosenior's side are starting to pick up some form on the road.
If the visitors can continue their momentum on their travels, then they will be doing their chances of European qualification a massive favour - and despite coming up against the side with the fifth-strongest home record in Ligue 1 this weekend, they will have reason to be optimistic ahead of this match.
Strasbourg may have found it difficult to win matches away from home until recent weeks, but they have scored 19 times in their 12 matches played on their travels in the league this season, the fourth-best scoring record away from home.
Up against the sixth-leakiest defence in Ligue 1, they may fancy their chances of adding to that impressive tally this weekend.
However, Auxerre's defensive record in home matches this season has been exceptional, conceding just 10 times in 12 home matches, a record only bettered by Nice and Paris Saint-Germain.
Having already got the better of Auxerre once this season with a 3-1 win in January, Strasbourg will hope to complete the double against Pelissier's side to continue their push for Europe next year.
Team News
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Auxerre have a couple of injury concerns ahead of this clash, with defender Sinaly Diomande back in training following a recent injury.
Elsewhere, Ousoumane Camara remains a doubt for this weekend due to a groin injury, although he is expected to return to action in the near future.
Meanwhile, Thomas Delaine remains a doubt for the visitors as he nears a return from a knee injury.
In further bad news for the visitors, they will be without Nottingham Forest loanee Andrew Omobamidele for this clash, with the Irish defender ruled out due to an Achilles injury.
Auxerre possible starting lineup:
Leon; Hoever, Osho, Jubal, Akpa, Mensah; Perrin, Owusu, Danois, Traore; Bair
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Doue, Sarr, Sylla, Barco; Bakwa, Diarra, Doukoure, Lemarechal; Moreira, Emegha
We say: Auxerre 1-1 Strasbourg
Auxerre have made themselves difficult to beat at home this season, and we think that this trend will continue this weekend.
The hosts have drawn seven times already in the league, and we think that there will be little to separate the two sides on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
