Toulouse will be looking to avoid back-to-back league defeats when they welcome a struggling Clermont side to Stadium de Toulouse on Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1.

The hosts are winless in their last two matches, while Clermont are yet to earn any points at the start of the 2023-24 term in the top division of France.

Match preview

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After an opening-day victory over Nantes and a respectable point against current champions Paris Saint-Germain, Toulouse recorded their first loss of the campaign at Strasbourg last Sunday.

The visitors at Stade de la Meinau managed to head into the half-time break on level terms, but second-period strikes from Emmanuel Emegha and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde took the game away from Carles Martinez's men.

Les Violets are currently 11th in the Ligue 1 standings, having collected four points from their opening three matches, with the aim in 2023-24 being to better last campaign's finish of 13th.

The current Coupe de France winners were drawn into a Europa League group with Premier League giants Liverpool on Friday afternoon, but there remains a host of domestic games before a standout trip to Anfield later in the year.

Last season's top scorer Thijs Dallinga will be tasked with firing his side towards the top end of the division this year - the 23-year-old is still searching for his maiden goal of the campaign.

Clermont's eighth-placed finish in Ligue 1 last season was their best in over a decade, although the early signs are suggesting that Sunday's visitors to Toulouse could be in for a difficult campaign.

A narrow 1-0 loss at home to Metz extended the Lancers' losing run to three matches at the beginning of the league term, with Georges Mikautadze netting his final goal in France before he secured a switch to Ajax earlier this week.

Pascal Gastien's men are rooted to the bottom of the league standings after three matches, with Clermont the only side in the division yet to collect a point.

The Lancers' away form was a particular strength last term has they achieved a top-half finish, with Gastien's charges losing just six of their 19 Ligue 1 outings.

Team News

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Toulouse are expected to make slight alterations to the starting XI which lost at Strasbourg last time out, with Fares Chaibi potentially coming into the side in place of Yanis Bergaoui.

Frank Magri made an impact off the bench as Les Violets chased the game against Patrick Vieira's men, but Zakaria Aboukhlal should regain his place alongside Dallinga in the hosts' forward line.

Clermont could be set for a change of personnel in attack on Sunday afternoon, as Grejohn Kyei pushes Serbian Komnen Andric for the central-striking role.

The Lancers have conceded seven goals in just three matches so far, although it is expected that Gastien will continue to put his trust in a back three of Alidu Seidu, Andy Pelmard and captain Florent Ogier.

Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Restes; Desler, Costa, Nicolaisen, Diarra; Sierro, Genreau, Casserers Jr; Aboukhlal, Magri, Dallinga

Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Seidu, Ogier, Pelmard; Zeffane, Gonalons, Gastien, Borges; Saracevic, Boutobba, Andric

We say: Toulouse 2-0 Clermont

Toulouse have earned points against both Nantes and PSG so far this term, so Les Violets will be confident of recording a maximum at home to Clermont on Sunday.

The Lancers have looked vulnerable in defence during the opening stages of the season, and we expect the visitors to extend their losing run to four matches on the weekend.


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