With a place in Ligue 1 at stake, top-flight side Reims will aim to avoid losing the second leg of their relegation playoff tie against Ligue 2 visitors Metz at Stade Auguste Delaune on Thursday.
The two clubs played out a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg on May 21, with Thursday's visitors taking the lead in the first half thanks to Matthieu Udol, only for Cedric Kipre to equalise in the second half.
Match preview
© Iconsport
The hosts only created one big chance in the first leg, and they managed to produce just two shots from inside the box that did not originate from set pieces.
Reims have failed to find the back of the net in four of their last six matches, with one of those games a 3-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Coupe de France on May 24.
Manager Samba Diawara's side finished the Ligue 1 season in 16th place with just 33 points, and their points tally was 14 fewer than they totalled last term.
Fans will be concerned by the team's poor form given they come into Thursday's clash winless in six games, losing four times.
Reims have also been beaten in five of their last seven outings – winning two – and they triumphed in just one of their previous seven while suffering a further three losses.
© Iconsport
Opponents Metz also only produced one big chance in the first leg, but they generated six attempts from open play inside the box.
Boss Stephane Le Mignan will be pleased by his team's performances in front of goal considering they have scored eight in their past four.
However, the visitors are winless against their hosts in three matches, drawing two of those games.
Metz have proven difficult to beat, losing just one of their 12 most recent fixtures, achieving victory on seven occasions.
The club have also been outstanding on their travels, having won five of their past seven away from home.
- W
- D
Team News
© Iconsport
Reims could name a similar starting lineup to the side they fielded in the first leg, with Hiroki Sekine, Joseph Okumu, Cedric Kipre and Sergio Akieme likely to appear in a back four.
Midfielder Yaya Fofana's ankle injury means he will not be in the squad on Thursday, and it will almost certainly mean that Mory Gbane and Valentin Edoa will retain their places.
In the forward line, attackers could Jordan Siebatcheu and Ange Tia could be supported by wide players John Patrick and Keito Nakamura.
Meanwhile, Metz have no injury concerns to contend with, and they may station centre-backs Sadibou Sane and Urie-Michel Mboula ahead of goalkeeper Pape Sy.
Midfielders Benjamin Stambouli and Jessy Deminguet are the most likely candidates to support strikers Gauthier Hein and Cheick Tidiane Sabaly.
Reims possible starting lineup:
Diouf; Sekine, Okumu, Kipre, Akieme; Patrick, Gbane, Edoa, Nakamura; Siebatcheu, Tia
Metz possible starting lineup:
Sy; Kouao, Sane, Mboula, Udol; Kerkhof, Stambouli, Deminguet, Mputu; Hein, Sabaly
We say: Reims 0-1 Metz (Metz win 2-1 on aggregate)
Although Reims have performed well against Metz in recent meetings, they have struggled to achieve positive results for some time.
Metz were the more threatening side in the first leg, and it would not be surprising if they earned promotion to Ligue 1 on Thursday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
