Just three points separate 19th-placed Troyes and 16th-placed Brest as the basement dwellers prepare for a crucial relegation six-pointer at the Stade de l'Aube this weekend.
Troyes will be desperate to end a 10-game winless streak on Sunday, while Brest will be eager to avoid a fifth defeat in six outings after falling to Paris Saint-Germain last time out.
Match preview
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Troyes head into Sunday's showdown on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Lorient, meaning that Patrick Kisnorbo's men have lost six of their last seven matches.
When you look at the bigger picture, Troyes have lost eight of their last 10 league outings and have managed to win just one of their previous 19, with their last victory coming back on January 2.
Boasting a better offensive record than eight teams in Ligue 1, Troyes have not struggled to score goals this season, but they have endured contrasting fortunes at the opposite end of the pitch.
Having conceded a whopping 59 goals in 27 outings – averaging 2.2 goals against per game this term – Kisnorbo's side hold the second-worst defensive record in the division, while only relegation-doomed Angers have conceded more.
It is also worth noting that Troyes have claimed a solitary victory in 13 home matches this season, recording a league-high eight draws along the way, with their only win on home soil coming all the way back in August.
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That said, Sunday's visit of Brest provides Troyes with the ideal opportunity to turn the corner, as the away side are also going through a tricky period at the moment.
Following a 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last weekend, Brest have lost four of their last five matches, conceding at least two goals in each of those defeats.
On top of that, the Pirates have only managed to win one of their last seven league games, with two victories coming in their previous 12, leaving them just outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Having taken 10 points from a possible 30 since the appointment of Eric Roy – registering a solitary away victory in the process – Brest's chances of avoiding the drop have not improved following January's managerial change.
It goes without saying that Roy will be hopeful of keeping the club in the division, although recent results suggest that Brest are downwardly mobile.
Team News
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Troyes midfielder Florian Tardieu looks set to remain on the sidelines for the foreseeable future after sustaining an Achilles injury earlier this year.
Having racked up 10 goals and four assists this season, Mama Balde will be joined in the host's attack by Sevilla loanee Rony Lopes, who has bagged four goals and five assists this term.
With Mathias Pereira Lage and Loic Remy on Brest's injury list, Eric Roy has a selection dilemma on his hands, with former Huddersfield Town striker Steve Mounie likely to lead the line on Sunday.
The Pirates will also be without Kenny Lala due to a groin injury, while Noah Fadiga is a doubt having struggled with multiple injury setbacks throughout the campaign.
Troyes possible starting lineup:
Gallon; Palmer-Brown, Rami, Salmier; Bruus, Kouame, Chavalerin, Conte; Lopes, Odobert; Balde
Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Herelle, Dari, Brassier, Duverne; Lees-Melou; Honorat, Belkebla, Magnetti, Del Castillo; Mounie
We say: Troyes 0-0 Brest
Given the current state of affairs at the bottom end of the Ligue 1 table, we expect Troyes and Brest to produce a cagey encounter on Sunday, with a goalless draw looking like the most probable outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
