Preview: Dijon vs. Reims - prediction, team news, lineups

Dijon play host to Reims on Sunday afternoon sitting 13 points adrift of safety, realistically leaving the home side requiring all three points if they are to remain with a chance of avoiding relegation from Ligue 1.

Meanwhile, a five-match unbeaten streak has helped Reims move eight points clear of the bottom three with nine games left of the season.

Match preview

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On the back of 10 successive defeats in all competitions, few people are expecting Dijon to pull off the great escape as they look to survive in Ligue 1.

While three teams have a worse defensive record than the Owls, their lack of a goal threat has cost them any realistic chance of avoiding the drop into the second tier.

Although David Linares will stress that his side will continue to battle for points until the end of the campaign, there will be an acceptance that regaining some respectability should still be deemed to be a success.

Dijon head into this contest still looking for their first home win of the season with just six draws coming from 15 encounters.

On the flip side, Reims make the trip to Stade Gaston Gerard having prevailed in three of their most recent six fixtures on their travels.

The latest of those triumphs came at Nantes on March 3, a result which was followed by a 1-1 draw against Lyon last Friday, their opponents finding an equaliser in the final minute.

David Guion was left frustrated with dropping two points during the closing stages of that contest, but it was another point towards staying clear of trouble.

Despite going five matches without defeat in Ligue 1, top goalscorer Boulaye Dia has not provided a goal or assist during that period.

Team News

Bersant Celina and Moussa Konate should start for Dijon after making an impact as substitutes versus Marseille.

Linares may also make further changes as he attempts to find a successful formula for the remainder of the season.

Barring any fitness issues, Guion is unlikely to make any alterations to his Reims XI.

El Bilal Toure, Arber Zeneli and Fode Doucoure are all expected to remain among the replacements.

Dijon possible starting lineup:
Racioppi; Boey, Manga, Coulibaly, Muzinga; Ndong, Lautoa; Balde, Celina, Ebimbe; Konate

Reims possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Foket, Faes, Abdelhamid, Konan; Munesti, Chavalerin; Mbuku, Berisha, Cafaro; Dia

We say: Dijon 0-2 Reims

Almost at the point of no return, Dijon will go on the offensive on Sunday afternoon. However, that will only play into the favour of their opponents, who we feel will make relatively light work of their struggling hosts.