Lille and Strasbourg face off at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday afternoon, with 20 points separating the teams in the Ligue 1 table.
Strasbourg find themselves one point inside the relegation zone, while Lille sit two points shy of the European places, making Sunday's clash pivotal for both sides.
Match preview
© Reuters
Lille will be looking to bounce straight back from a disappointing Coupe de France exit when they return to Ligue 1 action this weekend, having suffered a penalty-shootout defeat at the hands of Lyon on Wednesday.
Following early goals from Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette, Lille staged a courageous comeback via goals from Jonathan David and Edon Zhegrova, but Paulo Fonseca's side eventually lost 4-2 penalties.
Still, LOSC are enjoying a strong run in Ligue 1 at the moment, having lost just one of their last nine matches, with victories over Angers, Clermont Foot, Troyes and Rennes keeping the club within touching distance of the European places.
When you look at the bigger picture, Lille have only suffered two defeats in their previous 13 league encounters, picking up seven wins and four draws along the way.
Having avoided defeat in each of their last eight home league games – securing five wins and three draws in the process – Fonseca's men are expected to put in another solid performance at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
© Reuters
Strasbourg parted company with manager Julien Stephan in early January, as the 42-year-old managed to lead the club to a solitary win across the opening 17 league matches this season.
Former assistant manager Mathieu Le Scornet was given the top job on a permanent basis swiftly after Stephan's departure, and RSCA have enjoyed a marked upturn in form in recent weeks, taking seven points from a possible 15 under Le Scornet's watch.
Following a 2-2 draw with Lens, Strasbourg beat Lyon 2-1 before suffering defeats to Toulouse and Rennes, but they returned to winning ways last weekend, clinching a 2-0 victory over Montpellier.
Habib Diallo bagged a brace last time out, taking his tally for the season to 10 goals in 22 league matches, so the Senegalese striker finds himself level with Lionel Messi in the Ligue 1 scoring charts.
Although they have upped their game since the sacking of Stephan, there is no hiding the fact that Le Racing have won just three of their 22 Ligue 1 games this term, with five defeats coming in their last nine outings.
Team News
© Reuters
Lille will be without the injured duo of Adam Ounas and Gabriel Gudmundson this weekend, while Ismaily is also expected to be absent after missing the Coupe de France clash in midweek.
Having started on the bench against Lyon last time out, Angel Gomes could be restored to LOSC's starting XI, joining top scorer Jonathan David – who has netted 14 goals in 24 appearances – in attack.
Strasbourg midfielder Jean-Eudes Aholou is suspended after picking up a red card against Montpellier last weekend, with Ibrahima Sissoko expected to replace him in the starting lineup on Sunday.
Le Racing also have a number of injury absentees at the moment, with Lucas Perrin, Gerzino Nyamsi, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Eiji Kawashima and Thomas Delaine on the sidelines.
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Diakite, Yoro, Djalo, Weah; Andre, Gomes; Zhegrova, Gomes, Bamba; David
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Sels; Dagba, Doukoure, Djiku, Le Marchand, Lienard; Diarra, Sissoko, Prcic, Sanson; Diallo
We say: Lille 2-0 Strasbourg
Having scored 21 goals across their 11 home league games this season – securing six wins along the way – Lille should cruise to a comfortable victory over relegation-threatened Strasbourg, who have lost five of their past nine away league outings.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
