Reims face Lorient on Sunday afternoon and only two points separate the sides in Ligue 1, with Sunday's hosts sitting in 10th position after collecting six points so far this season.
Lorient are two places higher than their opponents and have managed to pick up eight points, which has included two home wins.
Match preview
Reims have made a steady start to the season and though they have only picked up one victory, the Red and Whites have also only lost once, which came in a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint Germain.
Their first victory of the campaign came last weekend, as strikes from Hugo Ekitike and Ndri Koffi led them to a 2-0 victory away at Rennes, to add to the three points they had already collected in their first three matches of the season.
The hosts are still searching for their first home win of the campaign with the first two fixtures at Stade Auguste-Delaune yielding one point, although their home form last season was underwhelming after only winning four of their 19 Ligue 1 home fixtures last term.
In fact, Reims are currently on the longest winless home run in their top-flight history, having not won at home in their last 11 Ligue 1 games.
Les Rouges et Blancs are aiming to win against Lorient for the first time since August 2015, and they are coming off an impressive victory against Rennes so may be confident of getting the three points.
Lorient finished in 16th position last season, only two points clear of the relegation playoff place, so this campaign they are looking for a slightly less stressful experience.
The start to Les Merlus' season has been encouraging, which has seen them win two of their opening five fixtures and as a result, it is Lorient's best start to a season since 2012/13.
In that campaign, they finished eighth so will be boosted by their positive start, although the visitors are still looking for their first away win of the campaign and will be aiming to collect three points on Sunday.
Lorient have scored seven goals this term and four of those have come from Terem Moffi and Armand Lauriente, who have both scored twice in Ligue 1 this season and the pair grabbed a goal each in Lorient's 2-1 win over Lille last week.
The visitors will be optimistic heading into the match, with the knowledge that they have won the last five competitive encounters between the sides, and they have been victorious on their last two trips to Reims.
- D
- D
- D
- L
- W
- D
- W
- L
- D
- W
Team News
Reims are still without Arber Zeneli and Fraser Hornby, who are both out injured.
El Bilal Toure is nursing an ankle problem, while Mathieu Cafaro has a tendon injury, so the duo are unavailable for the game on Sunday.
Moussa Doumbia is another injury absentee, and it is expected that Garcia's side will be unchanged following their victory last time out.
Lorient do not have Enzo Le Fee available due to the midfielder experiencing an ankle problem.
Jeremy Morel and Loris Mouyokolo are still out injured, so will not feature in this encounter.
Christophe Pelissier has the option of bringing Thomas Fontaine back into the starting lineup, but like his opposite number, he may also name an unchanged lineup.
Reims possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Gravillon, Faes, Abdelhamid; Matusiwa, Foket, Kebbal, Munetsi, Konan; Van Bergen, Ekitike
Lorient possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Silva, Mendes, Laporte, Jenz, Le Goff; Monconduit, Lemoine, Abergel; Lauriente, Moffi
We say: Reims 0-1 Lorient
Both teams are in fairly promising form, but Lorient seem to have Reims' number and may just manage to edge out the hosts in what is likely to be a tight contest, with the visitors claiming their first away victory of the season.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
