Preview: Lorient vs. Clermont - prediction, team news, lineups

Lorient will host Clermont on Saturday in Ligue 1 and the home side will look to add to the 13 points they have collected this season, which sees them enter the weekend in sixth place.

Clermont are four points worse off than their opponents and, as a result, they head into the matchday in 15th position.

Match preview

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Lorient have begun the campaign in fine form thanks to a run of results that has seen them lose only one of their nine Ligue 1 games.

In their last outing, they faced Lyon, who saw Emerson Palmieri sent off early on and Lorient took the lead from the resulting Armand Lauriente free kick, but Karl Toko Ekambi equalised in the second half to ensure the spoils were shared.

Christophe Pelissier's side will enter Sunday's fixture in a confident mood due the fact that they have not lost in their last five matches.

A significant factor in Lorient's success this season has been their solid defence, which has only conceded nine goals this term.

Les Merlus' impressive backline has been even more noticeable at home where they have only conceded one goal, which has helped Pelissier's side to win all three of their home league games.

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Clermont have nine points to their name this season and their campaign started in a promising manner with their first three Ligue 1 games yielding seven points.

However, they have since seen a drop off in form, which has resulted in Les Lanciers enduring a dismal run of six games without a win.

In their last two fixtures, Clermont were thumped 6-0 away to Rennes, before losing 3-1 at home to Monaco last weekend, which means Pascal Gastien's side are low on confidence heading into Sunday's encounter.

Although they have collected four points away from home this season, Clermont have shipped 13 goals on their travels this term, which will be a concern for Gastien.

A positive for Clermont has been the form of Mohamed Bayo and Elba Rashani, who have scored four goals apiece this season and both players will be crucial on Sunday if the visitors are to get anything from the game.

Team News

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Lorient will be without Adrian Grbic and Jeremy Morel, who have ankle and thigh problems respectively.

Laurent Abergel will miss the game through suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards, which means Thomas Monconduit is likely to come into the midfield.

Pelissier will have Moritz Jenz available after the defender missed the Lyon game due to suspension and he will replace Leo Petrot in the Lorient defence

Clermont will have to make do without Jim Allevinah, who is out with a thigh injury.

After scoring last week, Bayo will lead the line again as Clermont bid to end their winless run.

Lorient possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Mendes, Laporte, Jenz; Silva, Le Fee, Lemoine, Monconduit, Le Goff; Moffi, Lauriente

Clermont possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Zedadka, Hountondji, Ogier, N'Simba; Gastien, Abdul Samed, Berthomier; Dossou, Rashani, Bayo

We say: Lorient 3-1 Clermont

Lorient are experiencing a fine run of form and they will face a Clermont side who are struggling to pick up points of late, and that is why we think the hosts will win on Sunday, which would extend their unbeaten run to six league games.