Preview: Amiens vs Reims - prediction, team news, lineups

Reims will begin their charge for promotion back to Ligue 1 on Monday when they travel to face Amiens at Stade de la Licorne in Ligue 2.

Amiens finished 11th in the second tier last term and were beaten 4-2 in a friendly by Bastia on August 2, whereas Reims finished 16th in Ligue 1 in 2024-25 and were relegated after losing 4-2 on aggregate in a relegation playoff tie against Metz in May.

Match preview

The hosts finished the past campaign with 33 points from 34 matches, 12 fewer than fifth-placed Guingamp, who occupied the final promotion playoff spot.

Boss Omar Daf's side scored 38 goals and conceded on 50 occasions in Ligue 2, and those records made his team the division's seventh-worst offensive and sixth-worst defensive club.

Amiens last competed in the top flight in 2019-20, and their points tally of 43 last season was the fewest they have totalled in the second tier since their demotion.

Les Licornes failed to win any of their last four pre-season fixtures, losing three times while conceding 13 goals and netting on just four occasions.

Amiens did achieve victories in each of their final four home games of 2024-25, scoring 10 and keeping one clean sheet.

Reims' tally of 33 points in Ligue 1 saw them finish one point behind 15th-placed Le Havre, but they ended the campaign in the relegation playoff spot and were demoted to the second tier for the first time since 2017-18.

Head coach Karel Geraerts was appointed manager in June, replacing Luka Elsner, who was sacked in early February after overseeing a winless streak of nine games in the top flight.

The two clubs last faced each other in a competitive outing in January 2020 - drawing 1-1 - but Amiens have the upper hand given they are unbeaten in their last four meetings, winning twice in that time.

Les rouges et blancs beat Gamba Osaka 2-1 on August 2 in their most recent pre-season friendly, and that win ended a streak of three defeats, though the club only conceded four times in those losses.

Reims were also winless in their final four matches on the road last term, drawing two and winning two, and they only scored twice in that period.

Amiens friendly form:

Reims friendly form:

Team News

Amiens could start centre-backs Aboubacar Lo and Siaka Bakayoko in defence ahead of goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni.

Thomas Monconduit and Ibrahim Fofana are candidates to start in the middle of the pitch, while striker Ange Chibozo may be supported by number 10 Victor Lobry.

As for Reims, perhaps striker Adama Bojang will be flanked by wingers Jordan Siebatcheu and Mamadou Diakhon.

In midfield, the most likely trio to feature on Monday are Zabi, Mory Gbane and Teddy Teuma.

Full-backs Hiroki Sekine and Sergio Akieme could start either side of central defenders Joseph Okumu and Nicolas Pallois.

Amiens possible starting lineup:

Bernardoni; Chabane, Lo, Bakayoko, Diarrassouba; Monconduit, Fofana; Lutin, Lobry, Leautey; Chibozo

Reims possible starting lineup:

Jaouen; Sekine, Okumu, Pallois, Akieme; Zabi, Gbane, Teuma; Siebatcheu, Bojang, Diakhon