Looking to record back-to-back wins, Toulouse will welcome Reims to Stadium de Toulouse for a Ligue 1 clash to commence their November calendar on Sunday afternoon.
Les Violets are aiming to build some positive momentum as winter approaches, whilst Les Rouges et Blanc are aiming to end a worrying losing run.
Match preview
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After back-to-back mid-table finishes since returning to the top table of French football during the summer of 2022, Toulouse are now on a mission to challenge at the upper echelon of Ligue 1 during the 2024-25 term, although that quest has started off slowly.
That being said, Les Violets managed to halt a four-game winless run in the top flight last Sunday, when Montpellier HSC were the hosts who lost by three goals to the visitors from the South Coast, who enjoyed their biggest win of the campaign to date.
Toulouse inflicted the damage on the hosts in the first period last time out, when a brace from Zakaria Aboukhlal and a brilliant effort from former Bournemouth striker Joshua King secured maximum points for the visitors to Montpellier.
Recording their first win since September 15 last time out, Les Violets have moved up to 15th in the Ligue 1 standings ahead of this weekend's battle, two points above the relegation-playoff spot and five points back from the European berths at this early stage.
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Following a six-game unbeaten streak in Ligue 1 spanning from late August to the start of October, Reims have suffered back-to-back defeats in the top flight to Auxerre and Brest respectively since returning to club football following the international break.
Les Rouges et Blanc welcomed the Champions League-competing Brest to Stade Auguste-Delaune last Saturday afternoon, when first-half efforts from Romain Favre and Mama Balde won the contest for the visitors.
Making the net ripple against Brest last time out to provide a consolation from the battle, defender Joseph Okumu bagged his first goal of the 2024-25 campaign, with the Kenya star already equalling his tally from his debut season in France during 2023-24.
Despite defeat last time out, Les Rouges et Blanc remain in the European spots in the Ligue 1 standings, six points behind third-placed Monaco in the lowest of the Champions League positions, a possible aim for Sunday's visitors this season.
Team News
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Toulouse remain without the services of centre-back Rasmus Nicolaisen, with the 27-year-old Dane on the sidelines for a few weeks due to an ankle injury.
As a result, Les Violets' options in defence are limited on Sunday afternoon, meaning that Mark McKenzie and Charlie Cresswell are likely to keep their spots in the XI.
Formerly of Brighton & Hove Albion and Birmingham City, Reims' Reda Khadra will be unable to feature in Toulouse this weekend due to a cruciate ligament injury.
The German is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, meaning that Les Rouges et Blanc will be hoping that Teddy Teuma can recover from a hamstring injury soon.
Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Restes; Sidibe, Cresswell, McKenzie, Kamanzi; Casseres Jr, Sierro; Donnum, Gboho, Aboukhlal; King
Reims possible starting lineup:
Diouf; Buta, Okumu, Agbadou, Akieme; Munetsi, Edoa; Ito, Fofana, Nakamura; Diakite
We say: Toulouse 1-1 Reims
Coming into this clash off the back of an away victory, Toulouse should be confident of earning another three points on Sunday afternoon.
That being said, Reims are likely to have the quality on the counter to hurt their hosts, so we are expecting a hard-fought share of the spoils between the sides.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
