Two sides at opposing ends of the Ligue 1 table come together on Sunday when 14th-placed Auxerre host fourth-placed Reims at Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps.
The hosts have won just one of their last six games heading into this one, while the visitors are undefeated in their last six outings.
Match preview
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Auxerre's impressive 32-year tenure in the top flight ended in the 2011-12 season, and they were unable to regain their spot in Ligue 1 until the 2022-23 season, only to face immediate relegation.
AJA bounced back in their first attempt, securing the Ligue 2 trophy last season with 74 points from 38 matches, but they now appear set for another relegation battle this year.
They secured a phenomenal 2-1 win over Nice in the first game of the campaign but were unable to build on that result in the following outings, losing all of their next four.
Christophe Pelissier's men secured another superb victory on matchday six, comfortably beating Brest 3-0, but once again fell to defeat in a disappointing 3-1 loss to Saint-Etienne last time out.
Those results leave Pelissier's outfit 14th in the table with just six points from seven outings, only a point above Toulouse in the relegation playoff spot, and they will now face another trying test against high-flying Reims.
Reims, who parted ways with Will Still in the latter stages of last term after experiencing a collapse from a top-four battle in the first half of the season to 11th place at his departure, have been seemingly vindicated in their decision following their brilliant start to the 2024-25 campaign.
Luka Elsner was appointed ahead of 2024-25, and the new manager has led the Red and Whites to fourth in the league after seven outings, with 14 points from four wins, two draws and one loss.
Reims got off to a disappointing start as they lost 2-0 to Lille in the opening game, but they have remained undefeated in the six games since, including notable draws with Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain.
Elsner will be looking to maintain that momentum as they head into a favourable run of fixtures, which includes matches against Brest, Toulouse, and Le Havre, before challenging encounters with Lyon and Lens on matchdays 12 and 13.
Team News
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Paul Joly, Lasso Coulibaly and Saad Agouzoul are all unavailable for selection for Auxerre because of ongoing injury issues, while Lassine Sinayoko, Rayan Raveloson and Hamed Traore are all doubts.
Elisha Owusu is also ruled out for Sunday's game due to a suspension after an accumulation of yellow cards throughout the season.
Oumar Diakite and Yaya Fofana are both suspended for Reims due to an accumulation of yellow cards throughout the opening seven games of the Ligue 1 campaign.
Abdoul Kone, Gabriel Moscardo and Reda Khadra are all also unavailable for the visitors due to ongoing injury issues.
Keito Nakamura has scored in each of Reims's last four matches, including a goal and assist in the 4-2 win against Montpellier last time out, and the forward is expected to keep his place in the starting team here.
Auxerre possible starting lineup:
Leon; Hoever, Diomande, Jabal, Osho, Akpa; Danois, Traore, Perrin; Bair, Onaiwu
Reims possible starting lineup:
Diouf; Buta, Kipre, Agbadou, Sangui; Munetsi, Edoa; Ito, Teuma, Nakamura; Salama
We say: Auxerre 1-3 Reims
Auxerre have been extremely vulnerable in defence throughout this season, conceding 15 times in seven Ligue 1 fixtures, while Reims have been prolific in front of goal, netting 14 times, leading us to believe the visitors will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
