Stade Auguste-Delaune II is set to host a key clash for both Ligue 1's race for Europe and relegation battle when Reims welcome in-form Strasbourg on Sunday.
Les rouges et blancs are looking for their third win on the bounce, while Le Racing will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to eight games this weekend.
Match preview
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Samba Diawara's Reims may be at risk of demotion this season, but they are in improved form ahead of this clash having won back-to-back matches for the first time since October.
Last time out, Les rouges et blancs followed up a 3-1 top-flight victory over Marseille by qualifying for the final of the Coupe de France, with goals from youngster Hafiz Ibrahim and Teddy Teuma either side of half time enough to seal a 2-1 triumph over Cannes.
Their league win kept Diawara's men 15th in the table, though they are only two points clear of Le Havre in the relegation playoff spot and three ahead of Saint-Etienne in the drop zone.
With their Ligue 1 status still at risk, Sunday's hosts will be concerned about coming up against one of the most in-form teams in the division, and having won just one of their last 10 league games on their own turf, as well as losing three of their last four, fans would be forgiven for looking over their shoulder at their rivals.
That being said, Reims' single home victory since October came last week against OM, and should they repeat that result this weekend, then they may find themselves a more comfortable five points above the relegation zone should results elsewhere prove favourable.
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Meanwhile, Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg are in excellent form as they dream of playing in UEFA competition next season, and with six wins and one draw from their last seven games, they will be confident of adding three more points to their tally on Sunday.
Most recently, Le Racing earned an impressive three points at Stade de la Meinau when they beat rivals Lyon 4-2 last week, though they did need goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic to make nine saves.
That win lifted Rosenior's side above Les Gones and into sixth place, where they are now only one point behind both fifth-placed Lille and fourth-placed Nice, as well as within three points of Marseille, who occupy one of the division's Champions League qualification spots.
With the target of qualifying for Europe's premier club competition in their sights, the visitors will be expecting to seize maximum points this weekend, especially considering that their travelling record that features seven wins, one draw and just one defeat from their last nine away matches is almost as strong as their overall form.
If Strasbourg can make it five wins on the bounce on Sunday, then they could go from the possibility of playing Conference League football next term to the dream of Champions League qualification in the span of one matchday.
Team News
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Up against one of the division's most in-form sides, Reims will be relying on centre-backs Cedrik Kipre, Joseph Okumu and Mory Gbane to protect Yehvann Diouf between the sticks this weekend.
Out wide, Junya Ito and Mamadou Diakhon should be supporting striker Keito Nakamura, while Amadou Kone and Valentin Atangana Edoa patrol the midfield in the absence of Yaya Fofana.
Elsewhere, long-term absentees Mohamed Daramy and Reda Khadra remain sidelined as they work their way back from major knee injuries.
As for Strasbourg, 19-year-old centre-back Yoni Gomis and young midfielders Tidiane Diallo and Habib Diarra are nearing a return to action, and the trio could be in contention this weekend.
However, Rosenior is likely to stick with Mamadou Sarr and Ismael Doukoure at the heart of his defence, as well as a partnership of Andrey Santos and Valentin Barco at the base of his midfield.
Reims possible starting lineup:
Diouf; Buta, Kipre, Okumu, Gbane, Akieme; Ito, Edoa, Kone, Diakhon; Nakamura
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Doue, Sarr, Doukoure, Moreira; Santos, Barco; Bakwa, Lemarechal, Nanasi; Emegha
We say: Reims 0-2 Strasbourg
Reims have been poor at home for months, and their record of one win at their own ground since October suggests that they are likely to struggle once again this weekend.
Contrastingly, Strasbourg have been impressively strong on the road, and all of the momentum seems to be with Le Racing ahead of this clash, so expect them to take all three points once again on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
