There is a huge game in the Ligue 1 relegation battle on Sunday as Lorient host Nimes.

Christophe Pelissier's side are currently in 19th position, but a win would see them overtake Les Crocodiles, who head into the game three points better off in 16th, but with a worse goal difference.

Match preview

Lorient fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Angers last weekend, their fourth consecutive loss and sixth game in a row without even scoring a goal.

Les Murlus had more possession and more shots at Stade Raymond Kopa, but could not find a way through, much to the frustration of Pelissier.

Half of their 12 goals this season have come in their only two wins – 3-1 victories against Strasbourg and Reims.

No team in Ligue 1 has picked up fewer points at home this season than Lorient, who have not won at Stade du Moustoir since that victory over Strasbourg on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Nimes are one of only two teams, along with rock-bottom Dijon, to have scored fewer goals than Lorient this season.

Jerome Arpinon's side have netted just twice in their last seven fixtures, and over a third of their 11 goals this term were netted in a 4-0 opening day win over Brest.

They lost 2-0 to Marseille last weekend, with their woes compounded in the second half by Andres Cubas's red card.

Les Crocodiles actually have a better record on the road than they do at home, with seven of their 11 points this season coming away from Stade des Costieres.

Sunday will be only the sixth league fixture between Lorient and Nimes since the turn of the century, and their first ever meeting in the top flight.

Lorient Ligue 1 form: LDLLLL

Nimes Ligue 1 form: LLLWLL

Team News

Lorient captain Fabien Lemoine picked up a knock in training on Thursday so is likely to miss the game, while Andrew Gravillon is a doubt after suffering bruising to his knee against Angers last weekend.

In better news, Thomas Monconduit, Jeremy Morel and Stephane Diarra are all back in training following spells out injured, and could feature on Sunday.

Andres Cubas is suspended for Nimes, but Lucas Deaux returns from his own ban and should slot straight into the midfield to replace the Paraguayan international.

Captain Anthony Briancon is in contention to return from three games out with a knee injury, as is Yassine Benrahou, who has been suffering with a knee problem.

Lorient possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Hergault, Laporte, Fontaine, Goff; Chalobah, Le Fee, Abergel; Lauriente, Moffi, Wissa

Nimes possible starting lineup:
Reynet; Burner, Landre, Briancon, Paquiez; Sarr, Fomba, Deaux; Ferhat, Ripart, Eliasson

We say: Lorient 1-1 Nimes

Wins have been incredibly hard to come by for both Lorient and Nimes this season, so this is a big opportunity for either team to get three points. However we are predicting it to end all square, with both teams lacking the quality to take control of the game and assert their dominance.

Top betting tip

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