Reims travel to Montpellier HSC this weekend looking to edge closer to safety in the Ligue 1 table.
The visitors are currently 13th in the standings, five points clear of the relegation places in the league, while the hosts would be relegated with anything less than a victory this weekend.
Match preview
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Having moved out of the drop zone in recent weeks, Reims continued their climb up the table with a 1-0 win against Toulouse last weekend.
While the visitors are not safe just yet, a win this weekend would go a long way to ensuring that they survive relegation, as they could potentially move eight points clear of danger with three matches to go.
Luka Elsner was sacked in February after a run of one win in 13 matches, and his replacement Samba Diawara was winless in his first seven league matches in charge.
The turning point for Reims was their 3-1 victory against Marseille at the end of March, and since then, they have won two of the three matches following his first league triumph.
On top of their upturn of fortunes in the league, the visitors have also booked their place in the Coupe de France final, and they will be hoping to end a turbulent season with some silverware.
Before they can turn their attention to their cup final against Paris Saint-Germain in May, they have to ensure that they survive in Ligue 1.
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Searching for just their fifth away win of the campaign, Reims will believe that they have an excellent chance against a Montpellier side that are in freefall.
Zoumana Camara was hired as Jean-Louis Gasset's replacement, after the club finally accepted Gasset's resignation with the club rock-bottom of the table.
In his two games in charge, La Paillade have conceded seven goals and scored just one in reply, with most of the damage done last weekend, when Marseille crushed Camara's side 5-1 at Stade Velodrome.
The club have now lost 11 straight matches in Ligue 1, and although they are not officially relegated yet, they would need to win all of their remaining matches, and have a massive swing in goal difference to survive.
Given that they have only won four of their 30 matches, and they only have four matches left, matching their season win total in the remaining games feels very unlikely, and it is only a matter of time until Montpellier's fate is sealed.
Even if they did manage that, the club have the worst goal difference in the league on -49, significantly worse than the clubs currently involved in the relegation battle around them.
La Paillade have unsurprisingly conceded the most goals this season, having allowed a whopping 71 goals in 30 games.
Their attack have only netted 22 times themselves, leading to a season to forget at both ends of the pitch for the hosts.
Camara can do little to prevent the club's looming relegation, but he will be hoping to end the season well, so that they can plan for life in Ligue 2 next season.
The hosts will be looking for just a fourth home win of the campaign this weekend, with Montpellier owning the second-worst home record in Ligue 1.
Montpellier will be looking for revenge this weekend after they suffered a 4-2 defeat away to Brest back in October.
Marshall Munetsi, Keito Nakamura, Oumar Diakite and Teddy Teuma were all on the scoresheet that day for Reims, while Arnaud Nordin scored both of Montpellier's goals.
Team News
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The hosts will be without both Nicolas Pays (foot) and Othmane Maamma for the rest of the campaign due to injuries.
Other potential absentees include Nikola Maksimovic, Christopher Jullien, Enzo Tchato and Modibo Sagnan, while Andy Delort, Axel Gueguin and Yanis Issoufou are further doubts for Montpellier.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be without Reda Khadra and Mohamed Daramy for the rest of the campaign due to knee injuries.
In further bad news for Reims, Yaya Fofana and Joseph Okumu are doubts for the visitors.
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Sainte-Luce, Mincarelli, Omeragic, Mouanga, Ndollo Bille; Khazri, Ferri, Nzingoula, Coulibaly; Ndiaye
Reims possible starting lineup:
Diouf; Sangui, Akieme, Kipre, Sekine, Buta; Nakamura, Kone, Atangana, Ito; Pefok
We say: Montpellier HSC 0-2 Reims
Reims appear to have saved their season with their recent good form, and a win this weekend would see them edge closer to securing their Ligue 1 survival.
Their attack will certainly have chances against Montpellier's defence, and we expect Reims to secure a comfortable win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
