Reims will be looking to extend their winning run when they welcome Angers to the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Wednesday evening.
The home side have picked up back-to-back victories without conceding to move up to 12th, six points behind eighth-place opponents Angers.
Match preview
© Reuters
Reims have been in good form for a number of weeks now, having won five and drawn two of their last six eight matches.
Indeed, only Monaco (16) and Lille (15) have collected more points than the 13 Reims have accrued since Christmas.
The Red and Whites beat Strasbourg 1-0 last time out through Dereck Kutesa's late goal, that win coming a week on from victory over Brest by the same scoreline.
David Guion's charges now find themselves five points outside the top half and nine points above the relegation playoff spot.
© Reuters
Angers, despite some shaky form, are in with a shot of challenging for a European place, sitting as they do just three points off Rennes in fifth.
The Black and Whites ended a three-game losing run at the weekend with a 3-1 victory over Nimes - the first time they have scored more than twice in a game since November.
It is back-to-back defeats on their travels for Angers, however, and just one win in five - the solitary victory coming against Lille on January 6.
Stephane Moulin's side won the reverse fixture with Reims 1-0 four months ago, but that is their only victory in eight against Wednesday's opponents.
Reims Ligue 1: WDWLWW
Angers Ligue 1 form: WWLLLW
Team News
© Reuters
Reims are sweating on the fitness of Arber Zeneli, Marshall Munetsi and Fraser Hornby ahead of Wednesday's match.
Moreto Cassama slotted straight back into the side upon his return from suspension last time out and is expected to retain his place for this one.
Striker Boulaye Dia has 12 goals in 20 league appearances this term, but he enters this match without a goal in three outings.
In terms of the visitors, Stephane Bahoken, Enzo Ebosse, Jimmy Cabot and Rachid Alioui are all doubtful, the latter two through illness.
Thomas Mangani returned from injury last time out and is expected to link up with Ibrahim Amadou in central midfield against Reims.
Reims possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Foket, Faes, Abdelhamid, Konan; Mbuku, Cafaro, Cassama, Chavalerin, Doumbia; Dia
Angers possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Manceau, Traore, Pavlovic, Doumbia; Coulibaly, Mangani; Capelle, Fulgini, Lage; Diony
We say: Reims 1-0 Angers
Reims have won back-to-back matches and can move to within three points of their European-chasing opponents with another victory on Wednesday.
Angers returned to winning ways last time out, but they have won only five of their 11 away matches this term and we can see them slipping up in this game.
